Walkingboy
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino France
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I have been planning my Camino now for over a year and leave St Jean Pied du Port on 20 March. Now here's a question. Do we put to much effort into forward planning the route and all that goes with it? Does this take away the spontaneity and the fun of the unknown with so much information available including videos of the route. I'v tried to avoid looking to much but I am afraid I have fallen into the habit of checking all the forums for advice. Look forward to meeting some fellow travellers along the way from the 20 March onwards.
I have been planning my Camino now for over a year and leave St Jean Pied du Port on 20 March. Now here's a question. Do we put to much effort into forward planning the route and all that goes with it? Does this take away the spontaneity and the fun of the unknown with so much information available including videos of the route. I'v tried to avoid looking to much but I am afraid I have fallen into the habit of checking all the forums for advice. Look forward to meeting some fellow travellers along the way from the 20 March onwards.
I plan just enough so that I can be spontaneous, if that makes any sense. My main goal in planning is to know whether my overall timeframe is doable. I don’t get hung up on planning day by day. It’d all change anyway.
I plan just enough so that I can be spontaneous, if that makes any sense. My main goal in planning is to know whether my overall timeframe is doable. I don’t get hung up on planning day by day. It’d all change anyway.
I have wondered the same thing because I love watching Camino videos and getting information on gear, etc..., however, I believe once I get there and start walking I will just be living in the moment and love it.
Yep...can keep you happily occupied for hours! And helps fill those lulls between trips.Planning's half the fun
Planning's half the fun
You might like to listen to The Adventure Geek's monthly radio show. This month they debated exactly that question!I have been planning my Camino now for over a year and leave St Jean Pied du Port on 20 March. Now here's a question. Do we put to much effort into forward planning the route and all that goes with it? Does this take away the spontaneity and the fun of the unknown with so much information available including videos of the route. I'v tried to avoid looking to much but I am afraid I have fallen into the habit of checking all the forums for advice. Look forward to meeting some fellow travellers along the way from the 20 March onwards.
I have been planning my Camino now for over a year and leave St Jean Pied du Port on 20 March. Now here's a question. Do we put to much effort into forward planning the route and all that goes with it? Does this take away the spontaneity and the fun of the unknown with so much information available including videos of the route. I'v tried to avoid looking to much but I am afraid I have fallen into the habit of checking all the forums for advice. Look forward to meeting some fellow travellers along the way from the 20 March onwards.
Once you do it, you will see how little planning is needed. It is really as simple as showing up with a few toiletries, a couple of change of clothes, poles, and a guide book. Then just start walking.I have been planning my Camino now for over a year and leave St Jean Pied du Port on 20 March. Now here's a question. Do we put to much effort into forward planning the route and all that goes with it? Does this take away the spontaneity and the fun of the unknown with so much information available including videos of the route. I'v tried to avoid looking to much but I am afraid I have fallen into the habit of checking all the forums for advice. Look forward to meeting some fellow travellers along the way from the 20 March onwards.
I really like @november_moon's post. Prepare yourself for expected problems (avoiding towns that fill up, foot care, etc.) and unexpected ones (loss of cards or passports, finding a clinic, etc.) Skip a lot of the planning and use the time saved to learn Spanish (or refresh it.)I like preparation and education prior to a Camino, but not much actual planning.
You will, believe me. It is the Camino working.I have wondered the same thing because I love watching Camino videos and getting information on gear, etc..., however, I believe once I get there and start walking I will just be living in the moment and love it.
What a lovely story! It really brings the point across. Thank you @RobertS26 for sharingI have told this story from time to time on this Forum and I think it worth repeating.
On my second Camino, I met a very skilled surgeon from the United States who was a complete and total perfectionist. In planning his Camino, he read hundreds of books, consulted maps, poured over elevation charts, and looked up historical weather data. He left nothing to chance. The invasion of Normandy in 1944 took less planning. He was so precise that he booked a room for every night along the way to Santiago--some 40 carefully planned out reservations. In all, he spent almost a thousand hours planning out the perfect Camino. The most absolutely glorious, never been done before, perfect Camino. It was a piece of art work that rivaled the David or the Mona Lisa.
Then his Camino started.
On the first day he fell in with a Camino family. He loved his Camino family and they loved him. But there was only one problem. His Camino family was being spontaneous. They were living in the moment. As a result, they would not decide on where to stop for the night until mid-afternoon each day. Rarely did his Camino family stop where he had a reservation.
His solution? He would stop where they stopped, have a beer with them, grab a taxi, rush forward/backward to the village where he had his room, check in, shower, change clothes, grab a taxi back to his Camino family, have dinner with them, grab a taxi back to his room, sleep, get up, grab a taxi back to his Camino family, and resume walking with them. I observed this odd behavior all the way from SJPP to Leon.
Finally one day I asked him, "Why don't you just cancel the remainder of your reservations and stay in the same town as your Camino family?" Before he responded, he look left, then right, and then leaned in toward me to make sure no one could hear his answer. In a hushed voice he quietly said, "I don't want to admit that being a perfectionist about my Camino was a complete and total waste of time."
I like preparation and education prior to a Camino, but not much actual planning. Preparation around physical fitness and conditioning, deciding what to take, road testing the gear, deciding how to pack, etc. Education about the history and culture or the area, the pilgrimage itself, interesting sites along the way that I want to make sure to see. For planning - a flight there, a flight back, a plan for getting to and from the Camino, and 1st night accommodation booked.
The best plan is to not have a plan. Just let it go with the flow. You'll be just fine. It is easier than you think.
Agreed. I just had CF in my thoughts.As far as walking this would apply to the CF. Some of the more remote Camino's require a little planning in regards to season and daily distances.
I think that all depends on the person. Some people enjoy planning and knowing about where they will walk. Some people consider that "spoilers" and would rather just head out into the great unknown and just following the yellow arrows.I have been planning my Camino now for over a year and leave St Jean Pied du Port on 20 March. Now here's a question. Do we put to much effort into forward planning the route and all that goes with it? Does this take away the spontaneity and the fun of the unknown with so much information available including videos of the route. I'v tried to avoid looking to much but I am afraid I have fallen into the habit of checking all the forums for advice. Look forward to meeting some fellow travellers along the way from the 20 March onwards.
I think informing yourself is great, for example knowing what equipment works well, what things on the way you really don’t want to miss, what pitfalls to avoid etc.
But the important bit is not to tie yourself to your plans. Once you’re on the Camino, go with the flow, and the knowledge you’ve gleaned beforehand will help you not be afraid of going with the flow.
Yes I too am checking forums and stressing o whether or not I will be able for walk from st. Jean to ronchevillePlanning my first Camino (francés): I booked my flight to Bayonne and a flight back from SdC, I booked my first night in StJean and my second night in Orrisson. That was it. But.....
I missed my first flight so had to re-do the bookings.....
The albergue in StJean didn’t keep my reservation so I had to find a new albergue when I got there...
I arrived in Orrisson much too early so cancelled my booking and walked on....
And finally, I arrived much earlier than expected in Santiago so walked on to Finisterre and STILL had to change my return flight for an earlier one!
I don’t think planning ahead agrees with me!
It’s still fun though, to while away the Winter eveningsBut not in too much detail as I know now I never keep to it.
I think informing yourself is great, for example knowing what equipment works well, what things on the way you really don’t want to miss, what pitfalls to avoid etc.
But the important bit is not to tie yourself to your plans. Once you’re on the Camino, go with the flow, and the knowledge you’ve gleaned beforehand will help you not be afraid of going with the flow.
Please advise what sleeping bag would you recommend ?????is
Traveller, you're on the right trail. Don't overthink your journey, go with the flow and look forward to the unexpected and that includes where you stay and eat. DO plan on what you take as the weight of your backpack is critical. Of particular importance is water since it is so heavy. You only need to carry 1 to 2 liters as you will have ample opportunity to replenish at alburges, bars and village fountains. Believe me, you don't need much (clothings, etc.) and what you need you can buy along the Camino. If possible, allow as much time as you can to complete your Camino. Building in time allows for spontaneity which will add color to your experience. Be safe and have an extraordinary time.
Glad to hear! My husband and I are walking from Porto to Santiago in March and decided not to book. This way, we can adjust our walking according to how we feel or if we find a spot we want to stay longer.Not long to wait now then. I am departing SJPdP 26 April.
I think the over planning comes from excited anticipation rather than from necessity. I have walked the Frances twice and this will be my third visit. I am not going to book any accommodation other than Roncevalles. I did that a few times, especially walking with fellow worriers, and regretted the lack of spontaneity
Buen Camino
There's an entire subforum here dedicated to equipment choices https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/equipment-questions.30/Please advise what sleeping bag would you recommend ?????
I think Paulo Coelho summed it well when he said just turn up and start,! Easy to say with hindsightI have been planning my Camino now for over a year and leave St Jean Pied du Port on 20 March. Now here's a question. Do we put to much effort into forward planning the route and all that goes with it? Does this take away the spontaneity and the fun of the unknown with so much information available including videos of the route. I'v tried to avoid looking to much but I am afraid I have fallen into the habit of checking all the forums for advice. Look forward to meeting some fellow travellers along the way from the 20 March onwards.
I think Paulo Coelho summed it well when he said just turn up and start,! Easy to say with hindsight
Buen camino
As someone who is planning a First Camino in September, this has been a great thread to read. Part of the joy of preparing for the Camino (or other adventure or travel) for us is the reading and planning and build up of excitement. Although I don't have the experience of doing it yet, what many are saying about having some idea of what to expect or how to prepare just makes so much sense - for us. Then - I suppose for others it could be the thrill of the complete unknown.One factor that leads a person to agonize over preparation and planning is not having any experience in what you are thinking about undertaking. Think about it as it applies to a newbie wanting to do a Camino who has:
And that is just some of the major stuff for a newbie to wrap their head around. Budgets, how to replenish cash and forms of payment and foreign currency stuff like exchange rates, getting someone to look after pets, paying monthly bills while traveling, medical care while traveling...... lots of stuff for a beginner to handle.
- Never traveled internationally OR
- Never traveled without being part of a planned tour.
- Never has walked or backpacked for long, multi-day distances.
- Never has had to deal with navigation issues as they pertain to long distance walking in a foreign country.
- No background knowledge of backpacking or hiking gear or clothing.
- Never waited until the end of a day to find lodging.
- There is no familiarity with a Camino infrastructure like albergues, pilgrim menus, water, public restrooms, Yellow Arrows, etc
For me, I can head to my gear closet, make quick decisions about which backpack, sleeping bag or quilt, clothing, and footwear to use. I can have everything I need all packed and ready to go within an hour. And that includes paperwork, passport, money and debit cards, and the sundries, like medications and stuff to do during the flight. I even have a laminated checklist that I can pull out of my files and leave so that Jill knows what stuff that I do that she needs to do while I'm gone.
And almost all of the stuff that must be decided upon has multiple choices as to what will work best. Not to mention all the time it takes to pick the two most essential pieces of gear: a good backpack and footwear.
The more experience one has, the less effort and time it takes to plan a Camino. Which is one of the great things about this Forum; it gives newbies a place to go and get questions answered to help them as they plan.
Impressive! Very well done.I am loving the planning - changing plans - finding out something that I think will make it better, things suggested.
I taught a Y4 class last summer here in Reading UK - we did the Genius Hour, for those unaware of this, it is when each pupil (or employee in the business world) is given an hour a week for a given period of time - for my ten year olds it was 8 weeks, so 8 hours - to produce a project of their own. It could be anything but there had to be something to show for it - we had a 3D map of brazil, a rainforest model, pokemon board game and a performed rap to mention a few.
While they were absorbed in their projects I decided to do my own - A Beginner's Guide to the Camino de Santiago - it is attached and it was great fun!
So I too am developing OCD - Obsessive Camino Disorder. Next weekend (16th) I will attend my second Practical Pilgrim Day in London courtesy of the CSJ.
I have been planning my Camino now for over a year and leave St Jean Pied du Port on 20 March. Now here's a question. Do we put to much effort into forward planning the route and all that goes with it? Does this take away the spontaneity and the fun of the unknown with so much information available including videos of the route. I'v tried to avoid looking to much but I am afraid I have fallen into the habit of checking all the forums for advice. Look forward to meeting some fellow travellers along the way from the 20 March onwards.
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