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Would it help to give yourself permission to bow out or shorten the distance if at anyime it's too much? It is a daunting journey and you have already experienced what it can be like. I am doing the whole Camino Frances by myself for the first time this May. I am determined to do it and look forward to the challenge , physically and emotionally but I have never done anything like this before and am allowing myself to adjust as need be along the way. That may mean taking longer than I intended or not finishing at all. I'm just going to take one step at a time. I wish you the best. Buen Camino.I walked from León to Santiago in 2016 and now I am considering walking from SJPP to León in May June. For some reason I find myself struggling with making the commitment. I have made reservations twice and cancelled because I don't feel totally committed to do all the preparations and then walk 500 kms like I did the first time. I know it's a big challenge. I am senior female solo traveller and I know one day I may not have the fitness or the energy like I have now. Not one to shy from challenges normally this is not usual for me. I know it's hard. I really like Spain and I speak at a solid intermediate level of spanish. Not much practice on the trail last time which was a bit of a disappointment. I had great experiences and some not so great last time which I try not to focus on but they are there somewhat. For others on their second camino or more, knowing the commitment necessary, did you find it hard the next time to totally commit? When I commit to anything I am in 100% but right now it's wavering around 75%.
Interesting how seeing everyone's comments gave me insight that I had not seen before. This past year I organized a two month trip to Spain which involved a huge amount of planning. I had a spreadsheet and had booked planes, trains, buses, tours across southern Spain and the western border and attended two spanish immersion schools. It was a huge undertaking. It went off brilliantly. I had something like 50+ items on the agenda organized for this period. I see it clearly but not until this very day. As soon as I started organizing for the Camino I would doubt myself in terms of Do I want to do this? I just got back as well from two months in Mexico and my husband relies on me to organize everything which I gladly do. I need a break from organizing and planning. I just wasn't seeing it or perhaps admitting it to myself. I may find the will in days or weeks and if it takes months then I will just do it then. I have had a real ah hah moment. Thanks for your comments. Still if there is anyone who found themself not quite able to make the commitment/decision for any reason for the sake of myself and others I would love to hear about your experience.
I walked from León to Santiago in 2016 and now I am considering walking from SJPP to León in May June. For some reason I find myself struggling with making the commitment. I have made reservations twice and cancelled because I don't feel totally committed to do all the preparations and then walk 500 kms like I did the first time. I know it's a big challenge. I am senior female solo traveller and I know one day I may not have the fitness or the energy like I have now. Not one to shy from challenges normally this is not usual for me. I know it's hard. I really like Spain and I speak at a solid intermediate level of spanish. Not much practice on the trail last time which was a bit of a disappointment. I had great experiences and some not so great last time which I try not to focus on but they are there somewhat. For others on their second camino or more, knowing the commitment necessary, did you find it hard the next time to totally commit? When I commit to anything I am in 100% but right now it's wavering around 75%.
Your determination and courage is noteworthy. I will watch out for you on the trail should I go. While I don't have such an intense calling to the Camino I do have one.In 2012, I was called to walk the Way of St. James. I am hoping this year will be the year when I get to honor that calling. Before when I had the money, I didn't have the freedom. Or when I had the freedom I didn't have the money. Then came loss of job, moving home to care for aging parents and this huge ache in my heart that has never left me since blubbering for hours watching YouTube videos of pilgrim's experiences.
There were times I gave up on ever getting to Spain. And the surrender to that nearly broke my spirit. The Bible states somewhere in Proverbs that hope deferred makes the heart sick and that has been my story for the past seven years. Totally heartsick and I've "committed" to making this happen in 2019 but I've been called since 2012 and committed since then. So I would encourage you to ask yourself is it an issue of commitment or one of calling?
We walk to make pilgrimage. Is it possible that you don't have your "commitment" level up to snuff because you're not committing to walking a pilgrimage path? Or even the route your Higher Power wants you on? If you're retired you have all the time in the world to do the whole French route. Nothing says you have to complete it in five weeks like the youngsters. Maybe you rushed your journey before.
I am extremely out of shape. I smoke. I've committed to changing these things so I can make it through my journey. I have a spinal deformity that will make carrying a pack challenging. I plan to take my time and stop in every village my body tells me too. It's not a race and after seven years, why would I want to complete it in a rush? May/June are my ideal timeframe because I want to walk while it's still cool. We can turtle our way together.
Everyone has given great advice with understanding and encouragement. But I hear you saying that you don't really want to go but worry that if don't go now your health or fitness level may have declined. Well that may or may not happen so live today fully. Do what brings you Joy now and when or if the day comes that Joy will be walking the Camino you will know it.
I am a petite woman of 73 and walked from St Jean to Santiago in alone May, 2018, brought a friend September 2018 and return in June 2019 to walk with my granddaughters. My point is that life is too short to not be doing what you love.
Hello, I was on the Camino with my granddaughter in May 2018 and I fell in love with it; I returned with a friend in September, I am going back on the Camino this May and am also a senior female. I am looking for a walking companion. If you would enjoy at least starting with a like minded person, please let me know. Cheers.I walked from León to Santiago in 2016 and now I am considering walking from SJPP to León in May June. For some reason I find myself struggling with making the commitment. I have made reservations twice and cancelled because I don't feel totally committed to do all the preparations and then walk 500 kms like I did the first time. I know it's a big challenge. I am senior female solo traveller and I know one day I may not have the fitness or the energy like I have now. Not one to shy from challenges normally this is not usual for me. I know it's hard. I really like Spain and I speak at a solid intermediate level of spanish. Not much practice on the trail last time which was a bit of a disappointment. I had great experiences and some not so great last time which I try not to focus on but they are there somewhat. For others on their second camino or more, knowing the commitment necessary, did you find it hard the next time to totally commit? When I commit to anything I am in 100% but right now it's wavering around 75%.
I can’t imagine booking every night, I rarely do that when I travel anyway, but I would never do it on the Camino because I don’t know when my body is going to break, and I want the flexibility to listen to it. At most I’d call ahead a day or so. Anyway if you are worried about budget I thought the cheapest places don’t take reservations.I've been thinking about why others don't see doing a camino as making a commitment. I can list some factors that affect me. Such as financial [ even with albergues this isn't a cheap trip getting gear, flights, other transportation and accommodations], time [leaving the family to go off on my own for weeks, not that I don't travel solo, I do, but there is a little guilt], trade off [short summer season here made it very short last time that I wish there were Caminos in Latin America in our winter season], airports [ I put up with the hassles of airports and security but I find it unpleasant. Last June I got stuck in Bilbao for 4 days because Vueling cancelled their flight literally as we were about to get on the plane and it took me 6 months of fighting to get compensation.]
The organizing part is based on my preference to have everything pre-booked. Once done it feels absolutely great because then I can go and just relax. But it can take 1 to 2 days of work to book, create my spreadsheet including destination, costs, meals available, checkout etc., I prepare my maps so offline I can see where I am, where I need to go and verify everything is in order. I have no desire to just go and get what I get at the end of the day. It is much cheaper doing it all myself, it's much more satisfying and I get what I want with few surprises. If I need to I can make changes but organizing is very liberating to me.
Remember I've been there before. I saw the bed races and that doesn't look like fun to me. I have chosen to take shorter walks this time which eliminates the concern for me to stop when I need to. I know what I am capable of and should something happen I can deal with it. I wonder if it's as easy as some think to just decide to stop and go do something else. First of all carrying hiking related gear doesn't bode well for a beach destination. Also I would think the budget would go out the window if you have been staying in albergues, hotels & B&B aren't in the same price range. I buy flights with changes permitted but there is still a cost involved. I wonder if anyone here has stopped midstream and how much more they spent doing so.
Now you may be thinking she doesn't really want to go and likely won't but actually that would be wrong. I am getting there so much so I have looked into flights and a new backpack. So it is likely to happen but I have analyzed it first, now I am ready to make go on to the final commitment in all aspects. The wavering seems to be knowing all that is involved for me to prepare not to mention the time, money, flights, family and logistics.
The organizing part is based on my preference to have everything pre-booked. Once done it feels absolutely great because then I can go and just relax.
Plenty of people change their minds, and some have posted about it here in the forum. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes it´s not. I have two acquaintances that gave up on the camino (one Brazilian, one Australian, in different ocasions) because after a few days they realized it was not for them. Then they just took the money they had and went to Bilbao and to Madrid, if I remember well. Stayed in albergues, of course they could not spend more than their initial budget, but they seemed satisfied.I wonder if anyone here has stopped midstream and how much more they spent doing so.
Having everything done ahead also would mean I could saunter out of my accommodation at 10:00 or 11:00 if I want [yes I verify checkout times] after a nice sleep in and leisurely breakfast. I have no desire to be told to get up by 7:00 or 8:00 or earlier in some cases if the bed race has heated up. I think I actually have more flexibility and it's worth considering as an alternative.
I suppose another part of the time commitment also refers to being away from home. My husband has never made me feel I shouldn't do what I want. Because he is so understanding I don't want to take advantage. I have gone from two weeks to two months in past trips so this isn't something new. But I am just aware that he would rather have me home and that he misses me. Several of our friends find me going off on my own either unusual, they think it's dangerous or if truth were told, they would say selfish. As well I know some family members don't approve which they have that right but I have to be aware that not everyone agrees this is a good idea. I respect their opinions & take it all into account making the commitment.
I also travel without my husband and some people think we don't love each other! If you love a bird, open the cage; if he loves you, he will return... The only trouble with starting late on your hike at certain times of the year is the burning sun above in the middle of the day. I love the early start because I get most of my hiking done before the heat. My husband did not renew his passport after the age of 72. He said he was quite happy at home, having travelled all over the world; he certainly would not enjoy the Camino. He stayed in enough youth hostels in the early 60's and he is a very private person. He has never tried to stop me from travelling; I am away about 3 months a year. Strange thing: it occurred to me recently that if he was not there, (I hate to sound morbid but I mean that if he was dead) travelling solo would be no fun at all. I guess it means that with our communications, even if it is not every day, he is with me always in spirit. I would miss him even more if I was away and, travelling solo just would not be the same anymore.I totally get the check out times - isn't midday the usual check out time (outside of municipals)? It is in the rest of Spain - and I think its brilliant. For me sharing a room or a shower isn't a big deal - having to leave early morning definitely is!
If your husband misses you - can he not travel to you? I get he may not want to walk the Caminio - but maybe he could meet up with you in the larger towns/Santiago - best of both worlds maybe?
I actually don't think anyone in your extended family has the right to disapprove of your behavour. If any do in mine then they are not silly enough to tell me - because they would be totally told to keep out of my business. The only person that gets a say about my travel is my partner. I wonder if they would extend the same judgement if it was your husband was travelling and you staying home - one guesses not...
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