The words 'el Camino' mean 'the Way,' It can be taken to mean, depending on context, a road, a path, or a journey. It is NOT about a destination, per se, at least IMHO.
While the original, and many more contemporary pilgrims believed that the pilgrimage is all and solely about reaching the relics of the Apostle Saint James the Greater at Santiago, I postulate and advance the position that it is more about the experience of making the journey where we obtain the maximum benefits to our individual self. Yes, a goal in all aspects of life is a worthy thing. But one should not allow the goal to become the sole focus of the journey.
Also, many people, including me, have observed that the Camino is an apt metaphor for life. Most of life's issues, trials and tribulations, joys and challenges can be found while on your individual journey.
There are many good, generous and helpful people, and a few not so good, not so generous, and not so helpful people along the way. There is good weather and bad, warmer and colder, stiff wind and no wind, rain and drought. Once you understand these things, you can better start to see the metaphorical nature of the Camino, vis-a-vis life's journey. I try to walk in silence (difficult for me) some days. just to recharge my batteries... The Camino provides my recharge...
Yes, the Camino DOES provide. But this supposes that one is actually aware of what is going on around them. Also, the provision is a highly individual and specific issue. Sometimes the benefits are intangible, emotional, religious, or philosophical. Sometimes the benefits are more tangible, like a band-aid / plaster or some medication appearing when needed.
Being provided something, even intangible, does just happen, very serendipitously I might add, at least in my experience over six Caminos. Sometimes, one is not even aware that they have been 'gifted' until after - sometimes well after - they finish the actual walking. The effect is different for every pilgrim.
For many, the effect does not settle in until months after their return to a previous life. For me, it was seeing yellow directional arrows used by a developer near my then home in Virginia after my first Camino. It took a conscious effort to avoid yanking the steering wheel to follow the arrows...that made things click in my mind...but I digress...
In a way, this is like someone who suffers from PTS and experiences something in daily life that triggers negative memories from their past. I actually was diagnosed with this condition and know what I am talking about in this regard. However, the difference is that for many of us Camino veterans, the memories and flashbacks are positive. The flashbacks bring us back to a far better time and place, when we were on Camino.
True, it is possible to walk any Camino with 'blinders' on, like a horse in harness pulling a cart or wagon. But to do a Camino that way, to me, avoids the premise of the journey. Unless one is open to all that the Camino delivers to you, good and bad, the experience is diminished.
To walk a Camino and participate in the Camino experience, according to your comfort level, is when all of the magic happens. If one treats the Camino as a forced march or singular mission, with one focus, to get to the destination, the beauty of the entire journey is lost.
I do not disagree with any of what you wrote in your OP. Over my Caminos, I have at times had similar observations and thoughts. But, for me at least, the overall positive effect of the Camino, reaching into months and years beyond the actual experience, literally changed my life back in the world."
To me, the Camino continues to provide. It gets me up every morning to check and participate in this forum community. I spend from one to two hours daily trying to help others, and maintaining bonds with the many friends I have made over the years. It takes me to monthly walks with my local chapter of American Pilgrims on Camino (APOC).
The lure of the Camino, and the intensive yearning or desire to be part of this ever-unfolding mystically wonderful human experience and community takes me back to the Camino once yearly, to walk another route. Sometimes it is a month-long pilgrimage. Other times, it is two weeks or less. I will do this as long as my health permits.
Finally, it is the realization that I have received so much from my Camino experiences that I return every summer to work for one month as a volunteer at the Pilgrim Office in Santiago. I do this to give back, to contribute, to help in any way I am asked, and to grow as a human being.
Growth and learning are good things. To learn something new, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant each day is a blessing. IMHO, when we stop learning and challenging, when we stop being curious, that is when we start to die.
This experience is the center of my life, I live for it all year. I plan for it, budget for it, and literally countdown the days until I return... as of today... 24 days until I fly to Santiago de Compostela.
The Camino is many things to many people. To some, the Camino provides more. To some, it provides less. But everyone comes away changed in some way. For many, like myself, the changes are profound and, hopefully, lifelong.
I encourage you, and anyone else who might think they had a less than positive experience, to give it one more try. Consider a different route, or different time of year. It may change your perspective, experience and the results achieved.
Hope this helps.