Oh my God! I can't say anything else! I was not prepared for an answer like that, myself! haha ew.. got chills down my spineLosing toe nails!
*writes down corn pads on items list* ... Seriously, this thing frightens me. I hope I come back with all my toe nails intact.No idea how it happens, but it happens every time, no matter what footwear I have on. The good news is that the toe nail falls off after the skin underneath has reinforced itself so it's not raw tissue. In a few more Camnios I am convinced my "index" toes will not longer have a nail... What I did to protect the newnail bed the first time is to use those corn pads for extra cushioning.
Ok, what else did I not expect: drunks in albergues, walking with an umbrella and thinking it's the best Camino rain gear, being the only non-German in an albergue of 20.
Things I should have prepared for: plantar fasciitis: visit your podiatrist before heading out!!!!
What kind of umbrella do you carry?Oh, no! Umbrella is the best thing out there, and Germans not a group, just today's reality on the Camino: Germans75%, Dutch another 10%? and than the rest...
The 'wonderful' feeling of being there, on the Camino. I say wonderful because I don't really know how to describe it! Elation might be a better word...We train a lot, and we read about different topics, but I'm sure there's always something that happens on the Camino that you can't anticipate. It can be good or bad, name one thing all the preparation and reading could not have helped or changed.
Name the one thing you could never have prepared for. We train a lot, and we read about different topics, but I'm sure there's always something that happens on the Camino that you can't anticipate. It can be good or bad, name one thing all the preparation and reading could not have helped or changed.
Haha yes! I never imagined they had winter and snow there!That there is something like winter (including snow!) in 'sunny' Spain when you walk in November ;-) Buen Camino, SY
My sympathies, Rachel I couldn't imagine going through something like that while so far away from home.The fact that my dad died, completely unexpectedly, at home in Canada while I was walking my first Camino, the night I was in Astorga.
Before I went to walk the first time I'd read that there would be some Camino surprise, something unexpected that would happen, and that even if I thought I knew what it was, then that would turn out not to be the thing. The thing would be something truly unexpected. For me, a knee injury (which resulted from walking too far too fast in my first few days), when I'd never had any knee trouble before, was what I thought the surprise was. It changed my expectations about how I'd planned to walk every step of the Camino, and I wrestled with myself a bunch about getting on a bus (and then a train) to journey across a few sections of the Way. And then Dad died. And that changed everything. But it opened up my life and my heart to even more beauty than I already knew, and it was a gift to be able to stay on the Camino and finish like I knew he would have wanted me to. Now he walks with me, everywhere.
It's one of a multitude of reasons why I love to go back and walk again.
I see you plan to go in 2018. What a delicious amount of time to plan and prepare, but also to let go and not plan too much.
Buen Camino!
Rachel/Caminoheart
How wonderful I do wish to experience these feelings while over there!The one thing? Tough question. A few things 'caught me out'.
I might have to list a 'few'.
The emotional highs and lows.
The pure joy......... when the lows are not happening
The amazing camaraderie and friendship
The simple pleasure of having 'made it' at the end of each day
The inner peace and calm that is hard to find elsewhere
The spiritual growth that is there if you are open to it
And the realisation that we make life way too complicated
How wonderful I do wish to experience these feelings while over there!
It's amazing all the stories you hear about locals helping pilgrims. I didn't know that Chevalier group existed, it's a nice initiative. It's true that everyone's camino is different, what you experienced with them is unique. Sorry to hear about your injury, but at the same time, even if I wish so bad nothing happens when I go on my own camino, it seems that the bad things end up getting turned into positive things.Like Viranani I, too, fell flat on my face but later met camino angels.
November 1, 2004, after crossing the long medieval bridge over the river Orbigo I entered the town of Hospital de Órbigo. Attempting to photograph the parish church I lost my footing and fell head first onto the irregular pavement! My pack crashed into my right shoulder. Flat on the ground my forehead and shoulder hurt like hell! Gently two pilgrims helped me up. An egg was quickly swelling on my forehead (by day’s end I resembled Cyclopes). After exiting the Día de todos los Santos mass a kind Spanish couple appproached and the man said “Don’t worry, madam, I am a Chevalier de Santiago and will help”. They quickly took me to the regional hospital, where I was told to rest, and see a doctor again the following day.
The couple graciously invited me to lunch at their house. My host explained that the Chevaliers de Santiago are a group of Catholic men, who have been nominated to become members and who pledge to foster the Camino and help all pilgrims. In the Spanish custom lunch lasted at least four hours! Two charming adult sons cut my food while I alternately held ice to my head and tryied to eat with my left hand since the right shoulder and arm were extremely painful. Nevertheless, how, lucky I was to be able to move and to have met a family of guardian angels.
Early next morning the Chevalier and the local priest walked into the albergue dorm to see how I was doing! The priest, the Chevalier and his wife accompanied me to the local doctor's office adjacent to the church. When we four entered the examination room, the Chevalier said to the doctor “Another one has fallen!” It seemed that earlier other pilgrims had also stumbled on that same paving where I tripped. Again I ate with the Chevalier and his family.
..Now after all these years I still fondly remember their kindnesses and spontaneous gracious hospitality. It was, indeed, heartfelt camino caritas.
Margaret Meredith
I love this! It's so true how much time we waste on things that have little importance or bring us so little happiness at the end of the day! I guess the 'slowing down' aspect of the camino helps elongate time and allows to create moments and opportunities that otherwise wouldn't happen in our busy lives back home.I was surprised how much time there is in a day. Here at home I have many conveniences and many modern appliances that help me get more things done in a day. While on Camino I had few if any of these and yet there was always time to listen and talk and pray, make new friends, share leisurely meals, walk to the store, attend church services, hand wash and air dry laundry, etc. all while walking many miles a day. The days all seemed longer than normal and I didn't miss any modern conveniences that I can remember. Now that I am back home it is all so familiar and comfortable and I am mostly back in the rut and can't believe how little I accomplish. (I guess that should read: I can't believe how much time I spend on things that don't give me any satisfaction and don't really matter.)
Why emotional pain? Was it from leaving people all the time?I never could have prepared for the amount of emotional pain I silently suffered, melded with tantamount of joy from the complete strangers I met!
Yup, the plantar fasciitis was what I was unprepared for as I'd never had it and I was a walker too. If you're over 40 go get an evaluation on need for orthodics.Things
After how long of walking did you develop the problem?Yup, the plantar fasciitis was what I was unprepared for as I'd never had it and I was a walker too. If you're over 40 go get an evaluation on need for orthodics.
The 'wonderful' feeling of being there, on the Camino. I say wonderful because I don't really know how to describe it! Elation might be a better word...
A lighter thought than most, but mine occurred after a very long hot time/climb from Muxia out to Finisterre. My mind was constantly uploading pictures of an icy Coke, in the tall glass with the lemon slice like all of the bar/cafes serve. Just as I was about to give up, we topped a hill, and there, at a little logging cabin/operation, sat a Coca-Cola machine. Yep, in the middle of nowhere, after no services at all since Lires.....I am sure the people there were highly amused at these two pilgrimages, grimy and sweaty, digging in their packs for a Euro. I've prayed for a lot of miracles in my life, but a Coke machine was never on the list, particularly in that setting! Best drink of my life, and I almost feel like if I were to return, that place and that machine would not be there.The 'wonderful' feeling of being there, on the Camino. I say wonderful because I don't really know how to describe it! Elation might be a better word...
It's personal.Why emotional pain? Was it from leaving people all the time?
No idea how it happens, but it happens every time, no matter what footwear I have on. The good news is that the toe nail falls off after the skin underneath has reinforced itself so it's not raw tissue. In a few more Camnios I am convinced my "index" toes will not longer have a nail... What I did to protect the newnail bed the first time is to use those corn pads for extra cushioning.
...
And the realisation that we make life way too complicated
We began in SJPP and my foot was painful by Burgos, and at Castrojeriz I had to give it up and make other plans. We backtracked to Burgos and took the bus to Leon. My husband finished the camino from there, and I met up with him here and there via taxi or bus. You know it was disappointing, but I enjoyed longer stays in Burgos and Astorga and I suppose I became a tourist. The next camino I'll take "the boot" to wear every night and I 'll be wearing orthodics which I do every day now.After how long of walking did you develop the problem?
The fact that it is so simple.We train a lot, and we read about different topics, but I'm sure there's always something that happens on the Camino that you can't anticipate. It can be good or bad, name one thing all the preparation and reading could not have helped or changed.
The fact that it is so simple.
This is so crazy. I can't believe how frequent this seems to be I was planning on bringing toe sleeves, but only to avoid blisters on them.I thought I was the only one! This time I tried little silicone toe "sleeves" and my toes blistered under the nail but I didn't lose the nails. I've tried taping, extra vaseline, anything I can think of, and my shoes and socks are big enough that my toes don't touch the ends.
Oh no! Such bad luck! I hope you get it sorted without too much of a hassleI will refer you to this other current thread...
www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/airport-strike-madrid-june-28-and-29.41410/
I have no idea what to do now...
You still walked quite a bit, I'm sure you're proud of having trekked this far! Good luck on your next camino...!We began in SJPP and my foot was painful by Burgos, and at Castrojeriz I had to give it up and make other plans. We backtracked to Burgos and took the bus to Leon. My husband finished the camino from there, and I met up with him here and there via taxi or bus. You know it was disappointing, but I enjoyed longer stays in Burgos and Astorga and I suppose I became a tourist. The next camino I'll take "the boot" to wear every night and I 'll be wearing orthodics which I do every day now.
Beautiful Number one is especially neat since you kinda foresaw it!Lovely encouraging discussion.
I have three memorable surprises that happened for us while we were walking in September 2014. .....
1. While walking across the meseta i mentioned to my husband that I had a fantasy of turning a corner and finding a man with a camp stove giving out cups of tea. Two days later in a tiny beautiful village we turned a corner and.......there he was, with a stall giving away freshly squeezed orange juice, apples, biscuits, and cups of tea!! All for a donation if we were able, such a gentle friendly person. (He received a large donation from me!)
2. Evensong with the nuns in Leon. Not to be missed, such a wonderful time of peace and harmony.
3. Walking the rocky hills on the day in to Astorga my ankle began to ache to the point where all i could do was hobble. My wonderful husband carried my pack as well as his own without complaint, bit I could see he was struggling. Then we reached the top of a particularly steep hill and met a group of 7 older walkers from France. Without a word from us about our plight they rearranged their own smaller packs, and an older gentleman just took my pack from my husband and we were off! We walked with them for about 7kms to the cross at the top of the hills into Astorga where they stopped for lunch and we kept going. All that way he carried my pack. We called them our camino angels.
Such wonderful memories. ...
The fact that it is so simple.
What Fatma and domigee said...simplicity is one of the greatest joys of the way!Would like to 'triple like'
The Camino is simple but not easy. Walking that distance can bring a lot to the surface that we may have 'put aside'. Which is actually good because for once there is the time and space to see and acknowledge and at least begin to work through it all.Why emotional pain? Was it from leaving people all the time?
camster, Information is your friend! Check out these websites for lots of good tips:I can't believe how frequent this seems to be I was planning on bringing toe sleeves, but only to avoid blisters on them.
Yup. And the Camino can open that up big-time.it just goes to show how everything is interconnected between the body and the mind.
I had wondered what these were. I stopped to read a lot of the names....now I know. This fall I will read them again knowing what they did for you and for others. Thanks, CherryThank you for your kind comments Viranani. Two sites in particular along the CF are associated with the Chevaliers de Santiago; one is historic, the other contemporary.
An extraordinary medieval complex is Vilar de Donas just east of Palas de Rei. (See more info in this earlier Forum thread.) Recently restored these wall paintings and tombs are very special at what was the medieval headquarters of the Chevaliers de Santiago.
Another more contemporary location is within the tedious industrial strip known as the Parque Empresarial de la Madanela, along the N 547 roadway on the eastern edge of Melide. Here a series of large stellae name and commemorate the Chevaliers de Santiago of more recent centuries.
We train a lot, and we read about different topics, but I'm sure there's always something that happens on the Camino that you can't anticipate. It can be good or bad, name one thing all the preparation and reading could not have helped or changed.
The kindness of peopleWe train a lot, and we read about different topics, but I'm sure there's always something that happens on the Camino that you can't anticipate. It can be good or bad, name one thing all the preparation and reading could not have helped or changed.
It's comforting to hear that it's not the exception, but 'the norm' like you said. I love hearing those stories!That I would be so emotional. That people,would be so kind and take your pack right out of your hands and help you to a bed and tell you to check in later when they see you have over extended yourself. That serendipity would be the norm rather than the exception. And much much more.
It is great to hear these stories, especially to balance the negatives we also hear. Just don't let the expectations (either way) get too clear!It's comforting to hear that it's not the exception, but 'the norm' like you said. I love hearing those stories!
The one thing I never ever expected was experiencing a hurricane (Hurricane Henri to be exact) , while half way up the Napoleon route in September last year. Having to sit and huddle with other pilgrims on the open hillside for over an hour, and not being able to stand up let alone walk. Very memorable time. Ended up looking like something the cat dragged in when we finally reached Roncesvalles!We train a lot, and we read about different topics, but I'm sure there's always something that happens on the Camino that you can't anticipate. It can be good or bad, name one thing all the preparation and reading could not have helped or changed.
Scary! Glad everyone was okay in the end! It's rare that we hear about such bad weather, ...but a hurricane!The one thing I never ever expected was experiencing a hurricane (Hurricane Henri to be exact) , while half way up the Napoleon route in September last year. Having to sit and huddle with other pilgrims on the open hillside for over an hour, and not being able to stand up let alone walk. Very memorable time. Ended up looking like something the cat dragged in when we finally reached Roncesvalles!
Lovely encouraging discussion.
I have three memorable surprises that happened for us while we were walking in September 2014. .....
1. While walking across the meseta i mentioned to my husband that I had a fantasy of turning a corner and finding a man with a camp stove giving out cups of tea. Two days later in a tiny beautiful village we turned a corner and.......there he was, with a stall giving away freshly squeezed orange juice, apples, biscuits, and cups of tea!! All for a donation if we were able, such a gentle friendly person. (He received a large donation from me!)
2. Evensong with the nuns in Leon. Not to be missed, such a wonderful time of peace and harmony.
3. Walking the rocky hills on the day in to Astorga my ankle began to ache to the point where all i could do was hobble. My wonderful husband carried my pack as well as his own without complaint, bit I could see he was struggling. Then we reached the top of a particularly steep hill and met a group of 7 older walkers from France. Without a word from us about our plight they rearranged their own smaller packs, and an older gentleman just took my pack from my husband and we were off! We walked with them for about 7kms to the cross at the top of the hills into Astorga where they stopped for lunch and we kept going. All that way he carried my pack. We called them our camino angels.
Such wonderful memories. ...
Hi Terry - glad to see you're progressing somewhere along the road. These things happen frequently - I had two different people volunteer to take my pack since I looked pretty beat, one of them who looked worse off than I felt I must have looked. I thanked them profusely, but carried on. The other was the albergue on the right in Lorca - I was told to just go upstairs and take a nap, then settle up later when I felt better. I needed that so much then, as I had barely managed 8 km that day, and even that had been a struggle. Keep me posted on how you're doing - buen camino, CherryThat I would be so emotional. That people,would be so kind and take your pack right out of your hands and help you to a bed and tell you to check in later when they see you have over extended yourself. That serendipity would be the norm rather than the exception. And much much more.
Hmm, I have heard about relationships going south sometimes while on a trip like the camino. Sorry it's happened to you! Maybe a second one will provide closure and a new interpretation of things for youThe relationships I went out with being completely knocked sideways, broken, caput and in a very emotionally nasty way. Perhaps the Camino merely povided the necessary catalyst for something that was bound to happen.
Now in endgames, perhaps there will be restoration, if not I've vowed to do another Camino in penance and purgation. Then start again.
My sympathies, Rachel I couldn't imagine going through something like that while so far away from home.
I'm glad to see you've turned the whole thing into something positive.
Yes, I'm planning for 2018 I wanted to go since last summer lol. The time until then will be mostly spent getting my body ready for the long trek and putting the necessary funds aside.
That's a very touching post, Rachel. Your dad sounds like the kindest person. I'm glad you had a positive final moment with him. I couldn't bear something like that happen at home while I'd be away.Thank you, camster. It was a shock for everyone, though looking back it seems my dad might have had an inkling his time was growing short. He was the one who drove me to the airport (it was originally to have been a few members of my family dropping me off, but one by one, other commitments made them unavailable on the day), and I still sometimes wonder if he knew it would be the last time we saw each other. He was so patient that morning as I hemmed and hawed at the last minute, trying to decide whether or not to take hair conditioner with me (I decided not to and later regretted it -- tip to you for packing, haha). And we had the biggest best hug at the airport.
My mom tried for two days to get in touch with me after Dad died, unsuccessfully because I stayed in Rabanal with no internet. Finally in Molinaseca I saw a message from her on Facebook to call home, and that's when I found out. There was magic and blessing in the sorrow, and there was sorrow. But pilgrims I didn't know, and who didn't speak my language, helped in every way they could think of. I have tears in my eyes now, remembering the dear, dear elderly German man who was walking with his wife, who held me so tenderly when he finally found out what had happened, and murmured such kind words of love and comfort, even though I didn't know what they were.
And afterwards, it was a blessing to be there, walking. I felt so thankful to have the Camino as a place to grieve. I walked, and cried, and was kindly and intuitively given space by other pilgrims around me. I took two days off in Cacabelos and cried and cried until I was ready to continue. And the next year when I walked my second Camino, injury-free, every step, I got my name on my Compostela at the pilgrim's office, but also my dad's name with it, because he walked every step with me, just as he's walked every step with me since.
I spent 10 months planning my first Camino. Don't worry, your time until 2018 will go by quickly enough.
Blessings to you,
Rachel
So very true! Am already planning for next year. And hopefully the year after.....As said earlier the infectiousness of it all, the last thing I expected was to be wanting to come back again and again and .....
Yes! I wonder if I'll get bit by the same bug and want to do it over and over! I already find myself wanting to do different routes after the Francés. Of course, my wish for now is that I enjoy doing my first camino and I'll take things from there.As said earlier the infectiousness of it all, the last thing I expected was to be wanting to come back again and again and .....
Interesting! sounds like you had a reiki session. It can be poweful indeed and make you cry, like you said you did. Was the woman who did this an hospitalera at an albergue?I have had a little slideshow of memories upon reading the OP's question...but one stood out. In Larrasoana, defeated physically and emotionally (temporarily, I learned as that was an oft-repeating cycle early on), a woman asked to 'read' my energy... um, ok.
I was so surprised to feel anything/something as she hovered around my body - never actually touching me - but I did feel something. The 'something' I felt is difficult to explain well, but in that moment, I wept and was thankful and bewildered and unafraid....and my heart and mind opened up in such an unexpected and interesting way. I was tearful and emotional in that moment and two years or so later, I still can't really explain exactly what happened, though I can intimately recall and relate the wave of reaction and emotion that occurred.
The memory of that experience resonated here and there as I made my way to Santiago de Compostela - I found myself more open to people and experiences that before I may have just dismissed, or completely missed, or worst of all, judged. What profound moments this little 'walk' holds!
I want to write and write camino memories - thanks for pricking that spot!
Kerstin
Perhaps it was a reiki session - it was done by another pilgrim in the courtyard garden of a small cafe in that little village. )Interesting! sounds like you had a reiki session. It can be poweful indeed and make you cry, like you said you did. Was the woman who did this an hospitalera at an albergue?
I can't believe the surprising variety of things that can happen there. Of course, the whole world converges on these roads every year and everyone brings with them their capabilities, emotions and everything else that they are, which makes for a giant melting pot of surprises one can run into while on the camino. I would never have imagined that you could have a reiki session there, but then, why not?
Wow, how sad First, my condolences to you.June 25th 2016 arrived in St Jean Pied de port to start my second Camino full of excitement and anticipation of the journey ahead, walking better than ever feeling great ,eating well,and staying in great albergue. Meeting lovely people.How my bubble was about to burst, on the twelfth day heading into Burgos I received a call to tell me my youngest son had taken a massive heart attack and was on a life support in Glasgow hospital .My two walking companions who I'd met after the first few days immediately started finding out about flights and trains. We talk about Camino angels I met mine ,Mary from Cork and Peter from Belfast without having their help and support I would never got back to the UK in time.l arrived at my son's bedside the next day and said my peace to him ,he passed away 40minutes later .How ironic the film the Way had called me to the camino ,but a day at a time next year I'll be back on the camino.