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Yes. Leaving Najera we got drenched (too slow getting rain gear on) on a day that was very cold. The baby was dry but adults all wet. Then the wind started. We had an albergue with a private room reserved in Santo Domingo, and didn't want to risk losing it (finding a spot to stop with the baby took planning), but meanwhile couldnt justify walking in that kind of weather with a baby. The tiny town we took refuge in was already booked full for the night. So we taxi'd to Santo Domingo. We didn't feel bad about our decision until we got near Santo Domingo....suddenly the rain cleared, the sun shone strong, the wind stopped, and we started passing members of our camino family at major intersections......all of whom were staring at us like "why are they in a tax?". We'd gotten a late start and got hit with the rain that stuck around Najera, they'd never even been damp.While staying at the albergue in Uterga I met another pilgrim at the evening meal. He entertained his fellow pilgrims with various stories of his many travels and of encountering a taxi on the Way in which several people were travelling with their backpacks, all of whom ducked down as the vehicle passed him. He coined the wonderful phrase 'pilgrim shame' to describe this phenomenon. Have other members of the forum witnessed/been 'guilty of' instances of 'pilgrim shame'?
Shoot, ain't no shame in dat.Yes. Leaving Najera we got drenched (too slow getting rain gear on) on a day that was very cold. The baby was dry but adults all wet. Then the wind started. We had an albergue with a private room reserved in Santo Domingo, and didn't want to risk losing it (finding a spot to stop with the baby took planning), but meanwhile couldnt justify walking in that kind of weather with a baby. The tiny town we took refuge in was already booked full for the night. So we taxi'd to Santo Domingo. We didn't feel bad about our decision until we got near Santo Domingo....suddenly the rain cleared, the sun shone strong, the wind stopped, and we started passing members of our camino family at major intersections......all of whom were staring at us like "why are they in a tax?". We'd gotten a late start and got hit with the rain that stuck around Najera, they'd never even been damp.
There is NO SHAME in taking a taxi or bus walking the camino. There are REASONS for taking a taxi or bus. On one Camino we had to take a taxi to our hotel. The next morning we were dropped off exactly where we stopped and continued our camino. On another camino my companion had a bad case of deep blisters. A day off was indicated but because of where we spent the night and our schedule we had to take a taxi to our next stop. More often than not, necessity dictates ones actions on the camino. Buen CaminoWhile staying at the albergue in Uterga I met another pilgrim at the evening meal. He entertained his fellow pilgrims with various stories of his many travels and of encountering a taxi on the Way in which several people were travelling with their backpacks, all of whom ducked down as the vehicle passed him. He coined the wonderful phrase 'pilgrim shame' to describe this phenomenon. Have other members of the forum witnessed/been 'guilty of' instances of 'pilgrim shame'?
There is NO SHAME in taking a taxi or bus walking the camino. There are REASONS for taking a taxi or bus. On one Camino we had to take a taxi to our hotel. The next morning we were dropped off exactly where we stopped and continued our camino. On another camino my companion had a bad case of deep blisters. A day off was indicated but because of where we spent the night and our schedule we had to take a taxi to our next stop. More often than not, necessity dictates ones actions on the camino. Buen Camino
Happy Trails
Well saidA Camino happens as much inside the head as with the feet, and who can judge that? Certainly not me.
Such as "I wanted to."There are REASONS for taking a taxi or bus.
Guilty of it.Have other members of the forum witnessed/been 'guilty of' instances of 'pilgrim shame'?
I agree, Urban Trekker. I've taken buses or taxis for several reasons and I believe I AM NOT ANSWERABLE TO ANYONE BUT TO MYSELF. For example, I was walking to Samos last year and it started raining, got dark and I walked on the main road with cars zooming past me. I walked for about an hour in these conditions and came to a little village, about 5 km before Samos. I stopped there, warmed myself, requested for a taxi and in no time at all, I was home in the albergue. Another time, walking up O'Cerbrerio, I pulled a muscle and couldn't walk and got OFFERED a ride by the man delivering luggage. I reached the albergue and was lucky to be among those who got the last available beds !!! Two more people after me and it was COMPLETO. Talk of miracles on the Camino?? Buen CaminoThere is NO SHAME in taking a taxi or bus walking the camino. There are REASONS for taking a taxi or bus. On one Camino we had to take a taxi to our hotel. The next morning we were dropped off exactly where we stopped and continued our camino. On another camino my companion had a bad case of deep blisters. A day off was indicated but because of where we spent the night and our schedule we had to take a taxi to our next stop. More often than not, necessity dictates ones actions on the camino. Buen Camino
Happy Trails
Of course, and I didn't mean we really felt "ashamed" or like we'd made the wrong decision. But it was funny the way it played out because the people we were passing in the cab were walking in a nice, sunny day, and had no way of knowing what weather we'd hit. I'd do it again in a heartbeat, but it was still kind of a comical momentShoot, ain't no shame in dat.
Y'all were not the typical pilgrims. Certain provisions must occur with a baby on board.
Heck no, that would not be wrong and I'm sure 99.99% of the original, medieval pilgrims would have jumped on board.Sure, I see this on every Camino. However, I put it into perspective.
Back in the day, say in medieval times, if you were walking along as a pilgrim and a farmer pulled up in his horse or donkey drawn cart and offered you a lift to the next village or pilgrim "hospital" would this be wrong? Would it be a sin?
I opine that it would NOT be wrong at all. The Cathedral officials only prescribe that a pilgrim must walk the final 100 Km (111 Km actually) to qualify for the Compostela. For cyclist, the distance is 200 Km. So, outside that proviso, one can do whatever floats their proverbial boat on the Camino.
In any event, it is not for me to judge. I do not know the full story. I do not have omniscient knowledge. I do not know what is in their hearts. As a pilgrim, my role it to accept, try to understand, and NOT to judge.
I hope this helps.
It doesnt bother me ,to be honest,it seems to be a getting to the end of a camino,thing,tired legs,aches and pain,its if they take the beds of others,who have walked ,then its a little unfair.While staying at the albergue in Uterga I met another pilgrim at the evening meal. He entertained his fellow pilgrims with various stories of his many travels and of encountering a taxi on the Way in which several people were travelling with their backpacks, all of whom ducked down as the vehicle passed him. He coined the wonderful phrase 'pilgrim shame' to describe this phenomenon. Have other members of the forum witnessed/been 'guilty of' instances of 'pilgrim shame'?
Yes, "embarrassed" is the word to describe how I felt for requiring that bus driver to take me a half kilometer.When I started this thread 'shame' was meant in a jokey way when probably 'embarrassment' was the more accurate word because no judgement was intended.
In 2014 I stopped in Ponferrada and was looking for somewhere to stay besides the municipal. I stopped at the small tourist office there and asked for information in that regards. Just so happened that the hospitalera of a brand new private albergue was in there and said she had room. I agreed and she offered to drive me to it. It was only about 400-500 meters away. I declined her offer and insisted I'd walk. She gave a bit of a puzzled look and drove off. About half way to walking there I wondered why the heck I was adamant about walking and had turned down her kindness. Felt rather silly for having done so. Anyway, it was a very nice albergue and I'm glad I stayed there.Yes, "embarrassed" is the word to describe how I felt for requiring that bus driver to take me a half kilometer.
While staying at the albergue in Uterga I met another pilgrim at the evening meal. He entertained his fellow pilgrims with various stories of his many travels and of encountering a taxi on the Way in which several people were travelling with their backpacks, all of whom ducked down as the vehicle passed him. He coined the wonderful phrase 'pilgrim shame' to describe this phenomenon. Have other members of the forum witnessed/been 'guilty of' instances of 'pilgrim shame'?
Let me tell you a little tale about how my walk between SJPP and SdC went. I am slow. Not just a little slow, but very slow. I was always up and out the door fast, but while others would be in town sitting and having a refreshing drink, I was usually 4 or 5 kilometers shy. It just took me longer, and I took very few breaks. That said, I got into the rhythm of walking Brierley's stages. Often, I would break a long stage into two parts, or two long stages into three. Because it was November, there weren't many people on the road.
At one point, I ran into a young friend--a young pretty woman who typically raced off ahead of me. "How many kilometers are you doing a day?" she asked. I was a little taken aback, because she seemed to be implying that an old lady like me could not possibly be doing as well as a young sporty girl like her. I told her, "Hey, about as many as you--apparently--but I'm really, really slow, which is why I always stumble into the albergues later". So, never, ever assume that someone is using public transportation. If they are working their guts out--like I did--to walk the whole way, it is hurtful. I could not put a finger on why I found that whole interaction so hurtful for awhile, but when I figured out that she was implying that I was taking buses or something, I was really taken aback.
One on day, walking the Meseta, my friends Kay and Ann were ahead of me. I had promised Kay, who turned 74 or something like that on that day, that I was going to pick her up in a taxi for the last 5-6 kilometers of the day. Camino magic: someone pulled over and offered me a ride, so I took it and picked up Kay and Ann too!! That was the only time I used transport--and it was a 24 k day, and my birthday friend was delighted!
While staying at the albergue in Uterga I met another pilgrim at the evening meal. He entertained his fellow pilgrims with various stories of his many travels and of encountering a taxi on the Way in which several people were travelling with their backpacks, all of whom ducked down as the vehicle passed him. He coined the wonderful phrase 'pilgrim shame' to describe this phenomenon. Have other members of the forum witnessed/been 'guilty of' instances of 'pilgrim shame'?
That was the stretch that did Peg in although she kept walking that day. Then 5 days of not being able to walk after that. And then pretty slow going after that. She walked the rest of the way to Santiago except for busing past more pavement in Ponferrada.No shame here! Getting out of Leon, we took a taxi to La Virgen del Camino, as our guide book recommended, and I'm glad we did as it was all city pavement pounding to get there.
Long time ago, in my firs Camino, we submited our cases ( yes, cases) by taxi. I felt ashamed. Nex camino I was in "taliban" modeWhile staying at the albergue in Uterga I met another pilgrim at the evening meal. He entertained his fellow pilgrims with various stories of his many travels and of encountering a taxi on the Way in which several people were travelling with their backpacks, all of whom ducked down as the vehicle passed him. He coined the wonderful phrase 'pilgrim shame' to describe this phenomenon. Have other members of the forum witnessed/been 'guilty of' instances of 'pilgrim shame'?
TOn my first CF while I was taking a short rest near one of the water fountains somewhere between Sarria and Santiago, I saw a taxi pull-up and stop on the road nearby. A tall athletic young lady, dressed in the finest modern pilgrim attire exited the taxi, removed her backpack from the trunk (boot), and put it on as the cab drove off. I swear she looked around to see if she had been observed doing this, and as I was the only one at the fountain and sitting in the grass, she did not see me. After checking her six, she proceeded down the Camino to the next town, which was only about 1 kilometer away. I saw her later in the town getting stamps at a bar and a church and stopping to stay in the albergue.
I'd also heard tales of other semi-pilgrims doing this, and deliberately dirtying up their footwear as to make them look well traveled.
I can recall a pilgrim on television telling the tale of a Spanish lady who, after a series of miscarriages, promised to St James that she would make her pilgrimage to SdC if the next one went full term. She then walked and carried her child all the way there and back again, refusing an offer by fellow pilgrims to pay for her fare home again. She kept her promise, whatever the weather.Shoot, ain't no shame in dat.
Y'all were not the typical pilgrims. Certain provisions must occur with a baby on board.
I never undestand the behaviour of people who pretend they've read books that they haven't read, even going so far as to buy and display them.Last summer I saw a fella get out of a taxi at the 100km marker. He then got a stamp at the next café. Jumped back in a taxi thereafter. I actually felt sorry for him but was genuinely puzzled as to the motivation
Such as "I wanted to."
While staying at the albergue in Uterga I met another pilgrim at the evening meal. He entertained his fellow pilgrims with various stories of his many travels and of encountering a taxi on the Way in which several people were travelling with their backpacks, all of whom ducked down as the vehicle passed him. He coined the wonderful phrase 'pilgrim shame' to describe this phenomenon. Have other members of the forum witnessed/been 'guilty of' instances of 'pilgrim shame'?
"And you know what you should do with an irritation? You should rub it with cream."" If you are irritated by every rub, how will you be polished?" .Rumi
Be pragmatic and practise forbearance .
I'm just curious, but how do you feel about queue jumpers?I thought the point was to walk your own camino, not judge the way everyone else was walking their's. ...
Yeah, it does suck, and no, I don't blame the locals for taking advantage of the business opportunities, and true, you should always be prepared to get to a town where there are no available albergue beds.There's been a lot in this thread about pilgrims using transport, but imagine walking 30+km and finding no room at the inn, so to speak, because some little group has called ahead from, say, 15km further back on the camino and is just moseying along, probably not even carrying bags. That's gotta hurt. I guess the legitimacy of the pilgrim will remain a matter of personal conscience and one can hardly blame the locals for seeking what business opportunities they can. Maybe it's enough to just approach the camino with a readiness to face adversity. (rambling contribution...)
I saw queue jumpers on my first Camino and quite the argument ensued. The queue jumpers just could not understand why anybody was mad at them.I'm just curious, but how do you feel about queue jumpers?
Esther, No! Do you know how much harder it is for someone carrying extra weight to walk this route in comparison to others? When we have fun on this forum weighing our items to minize the weights of our packs, even lowering it by a pound or two because it makes things so much easier, imagine then what it means to walk with extra body weight. Keep your head heald high, this is a true physical challenge for you, nothing to feel ashamed by. Those laughing compasionless and rude fools are the ones who should experiece shame. You just keep putting a foot in front of the other, with your chin up!I felt shame, or was shamed because of my weight. I was laughed at in one albergue with some men miming my size with large hand movements and boisterous language. It was a terrible moment for me. I also felt a lot of shame because I would book a bed for the night in the next town in order to get a bottom bunk. I felt that I was too heavy for the top bunk and seeing how many of the top bunks had been "repaired" with packing tape I was really concerned about falling through (which I did hear happened more frequently than one expected...). So, in fact, I walked with a fair amount of shame, which is a shame in of itself.
Wow, what a harpy that hospitalera was. Lot's of people leapfrog a bit on the CF due to time constraints. Never heard of them being chastised for it, especially at a private albergue. Heck, I've gone to private albergues where there were enormous piles of heavy, wheeled luggage that had been sent ahead and the pilgrims arrive later on. Later you see the pilgrims clean and fresh in regular clothes, reeking of perfume and cologne, ha ha.I walked from SJPP to Santiago September-October 2015. By the time I got to Santo Domingo I was sick with bronchitis and had multilayered blisters on both heels. I took a rest day and spent some time in the Virgin Mary Chapel in Santo Domingo. I asked for help. I was on a timeline. I needed to get ahead but didn't know how to go about asking for a taxi or finding the bus stop. The next morning, I got up before dawn and walked the 7k or so to Grañon. While I waited for my cafe con leche a Canadian woman approached me with a look of concern and panic. She spoke no Spanish and needed to take a taxi to see a doctor in the next large town. I was able to arrange it for her and asked if I could share her taxi ride (I had asked for help in the chapel the day before, and there it was!). I rode with her to a medical center then asked to be taken to the far side of Burgos. Once let off, I waked another 22k (so, 29k total for the day) into Tardajos, still sick and blisters hurting. When the private 6 bed albergue opened, I was asked for my credential and asked where I had slept the night before. I answered honestly. I was berated by the hosteler for being a "false pilgrim" a judgement I had already berated myself with. I spoke to her and appealed to her compassion and asked her to see me as a true pilgrim. She was not willing to hear any of it. So I was kicked out and walked to another albergue, with the label of False Pilgrim, firmly attached. Little did I know that while I was responding compassionately to the judgmental albergue owner, a number of English speaking pilgrims were appalled at the treatment I received. At dinner that evening, one of the pilgrims said to me, "If Saint James arrived on a donkey, she would not have sheltered him, he took transportation." The simple kindness and reframing of the outward expression of my own self judgment allowed me to continue with my walk and complete it within my time frame.
My take away? Compassion for oneself and for others was, for me, a vital part of the journey.
I felt shame, or was shamed because of my weight. I was laughed at in one albergue with some men miming my size with large hand movements and boisterous language. It was a terrible moment for me. I also felt a lot of shame because I would book a bed for the night in the next town in order to get a bottom bunk. I felt that I was too heavy for the top bunk and seeing how many of the top bunks had been "repaired" with packing tape I was really concerned about falling through (which I did hear happened more frequently than one expected...). So, in fact, I walked with a fair amount of shame, which is a shame in of itself.
Hey Mark, I'll give a "shameless" plug for Albergue Alea in Ponferrada where we shared a wonderful paella and some great wine that night. That day I had walked down the hill from el Acebo and walked across Ponferrada to the Templar Castle twice because of their odd opening hours; that being said, no one ever gives themselves any credit for the kms/hours walked around town to sight see.In 2014 I stopped in Ponferrada and was looking for somewhere to stay besides the municipal. I stopped at the small tourist office there and asked for information in that regards. Just so happened that the hospitalera of a brand new private albergue was in there and said she had room. I agreed and she offered to drive me to it. It was only about 400-500 meters away. I declined her offer and insisted I'd walk. She gave a bit of a puzzled look and drove off. About half way to walking there I wondered why the heck I was adamant about walking and had turned down her kindness. Felt rather silly for having done so. Anyway, it was a very nice albergue and I'm glad I stayed there.
Yes, that be the place Don. Great paella dinner, good vino and a nice breakfast the next morning. Highly recommended.Hey Mark, I'll give a "shameless" plug for Albergue Alea in Ponferrada where we shared a wonderful paella and some great wine that night. That day I had walked down the hill from el Acebo and walked across Ponferrada to the Templar Castle twice because of their odd opening hours; that being said, no one ever gives themselves any credit for the kms/hours walked around town to sight see.
I will be walking my sixth Camino this summer at the age of 70. I am certain I know every stone and pebble on the path and I know what I want to revisit, what I don't want to revisit and the new places I want to visit. I have learned over 5 years I don't like (actually hate) walking a driving rainstorm, like the one I was caught in between Betanzos and Bruma after walking more than 25km when a kind man offered me a ride in a blinding cold rainstorm. The same is true for a rainy early morning bus ride from Los Arcos to Viana with at least 20 other pilgrims and missing one of my favorite place, Torres de Rio.
I walk to and where I want to walk, solvitur ambulando. Walking the Caminos are not a competition.
This year my plan was to walk from Huesca to Santiago, but then I was asked to serve as a hospitalero for 10 days at San Anton after I purchased my plane tickets. Guess what, I will be depending on some form of transportation in the 45 days I am in Spain. No shame!
Gracias, amigo!Yes, that be the place Don. Great paella dinner, good vino and a nice breakfast the next morning. Highly recommended.
I'm with you. I don't care for walking in downpours and if possible see no point in it. Even a dog or cat is smart enough to get out the rain.Last year on the Camino I cut short one walking day by about 10k because the rain never let up. I got to a town, there was a nice private albergue with room and in I went.
Really cool that you are doing the hospitalero thing again.
And why not? Having said that, when I did it the bus driver was snippy. A smidgen of transportation breaks up the monotony.BTW, I will freely admit I have only walked from Leon to Virgin del Camino once. I've used the bus every other time.
Even a dog or cat is smart enough to get out the rain.
That canine ain't no fool. Even got off of the wet ground.
And did you notice how he had pushed the chair up to the window to make it easier for him to climb up?That canine ain't no fool. Even got off of the wet ground.
I felt shame, or was shamed because of my weight. I was laughed at in one albergue with some men miming my size with large hand movements and boisterous language. It was a terrible moment for me. I also felt a lot of shame because I would book a bed for the night in the next town in order to get a bottom bunk. I felt that I was too heavy for the top bunk and seeing how many of the top bunks had been "repaired" with packing tape I was really concerned about falling through (which I did hear happened more frequently than one expected...). So, in fact, I walked with a fair amount of shame, which is a shame in of itself.
Oh Dear! It seems that it is the fate of some threads to cause offence/discomfort when that was not intended by the OP.
... The older I get the more I realise that I am a work in progress with no foreseeable completion date in sight ...
Smoking Maccaroons! Luv the filosofical eloquince Mate - te he" If you are irritated by every rub, how will you be polished?" .Rumi
Be pragmatic and practise forbearance .
Those who first visit Santiago by car may well then walk, as we did. They may also still be travelling with a pilgrim attitude but not able to walk for one reason or another. The honeymoon couple will have so much to look back on I trust. There is room for us all and I agree that when using a car we should not expect to use the pilgrims' public facilities, hence our private bookings this year.We do not aim to reach Santiago but will turn back eastwards after Casa da Ponti (Ferreira).I think doing the Camino by car is not a pilgrimage. Said that...how said that is not correct been a tourist in the Camino de Santiago? Its perfectly OK if you are no using pilgrims public facilities. No cheating in that.
Our posts crossed Susie, we will put it down to great minds...Besides the "head and feet, " "I guess it all comes down to where your heart is", I can hear my late father's voice saying to me as a teen. I pray that I may stay focused on my own personal reasons for attempting the pilgrimage. Pride goeth before a fall and I hope to be humbled along the way without a fall, literally. Some people always look for the easy the path, but only the one wearing the shoes knows their own footprints. I can only imagine that the honeymooning couple mentioned was collecting souvenirs for memories of their honeymoon in the same way that my son collects stamps from National Parks on our camping adventures.
I have a clergy friend who is interested in going at the same time I do, but physical limitations will not allow her to walk. If she goes, she will not travel by foot, but her heart will be in the right place. No shame there. A certificate is not the real reward.
I felt shame, or was shamed because of my weight. I was laughed at in one albergue with some men miming my size with large hand movements and boisterous language. It was a terrible moment for me. I also felt a lot of shame because I would book a bed for the night in the next town in order to get a bottom bunk. I felt that I was too heavy for the top bunk and seeing how many of the top bunks had been "repaired" with packing tape I was really concerned about falling through (which I did hear happened more frequently than one expected...). So, in fact, I walked with a fair amount of shame, which is a shame in of itself.
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