- Time of past OR future Camino
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Last year on my camino I was a bit annoyed when someone back home told me to enjoy my vacation. I bristled. Why did that word annoy me so much? I was on a pilgrimage! Anyway, I'm about to embark on my fourth camino, whatever people call it. What do you think?
Last year on my camino I was a bit annoyed when someone back home told me to enjoy my vacation. I bristled. Why did that word annoy me so much? I was on a pilgrimage! Anyway, I'm about to embark on my fourth camino, whatever people call it. What do you think?
So interesting the way we talk to ourselves. Do you have a different mindset when a tourist, pilgrim, or volunteer?We have always divided our time and we call part of it "vacation" and part of it "pilgrimage". Friends and family just call it our annual "trip to Spain", because mostly they don't have a good idea of what we are doing when (volunteering, walking as pilgrims, or sightseeing.) Between ourselves we refer to the various segments as our "tourist", "pilgrim", or volunteer time.
I do know what you mean though about when you have one mindset and others have another. When I was mobilized and deployed with the military or was serving on annual training, my civilian work companions referred to it as my "vacation from work" time. Very annoying to me, especially when I worked very hard during those times.
Have to agree with you that this can open a can of worms. Right now I am trying to close that can as some of the responses here, let's just say I don't think alot of. But then I remember the old adage that I stick by, almost all the time, who gives a rat's a$$ what others think. I do respond sometimes when I really believe that someone gives a really arrogant answer or advice that has no basis in reality. I also always comment that people should not be giving ANY medical advice whatsoever. If you need drugs or you have a muscular/skeletal problem you need to see a professional. I have even read when some say just take Ibuprofen daily or something else. Misuse of even an over the counter drug can be dangerous.Wow, that’s a loaded question, and answer’s could easily break the forum rules if not carefully worded.
The simplest answer is, for some it’s a pilgrimage, whether done for religious/spiritual reasons or not.
For others, a walking holiday.
However, if you are working & it’s done in your vacation time, technically it’s a holiday (vacation ) no matter your personal feelings!
Call it what you will, the others are right- don’t let the well intentioned words of others bother you.
ALL that matters is that you walk
Buen Camino
So interesting the way we talk to ourselves. Do you have a different mindset when a tourist, pilgrim, or volunteer?
Yes, I do. We always try to walk to our albergue as "pilgrims" and/or walk away as "pilgrims" when possible. This helps us remember when we are hospitaleros what things are important to pilgrims and what they may really need and want. As hospitaleros, we try to think less about our needs and more about the pilgrim guests. We listen more and share fewer personal stories. I think about shopping and meal planning and organizing around other activities in the community (Mass, festivals, siesta time, etc.) I try to become a small temporary part of the community in whatever little town where we are serving.So interesting the way we talk to ourselves. Do you have a different mindset when a tourist, pilgrim, or volunteer?
My first Camino was a nice pleasant long walk, not a pilgrimage.Last year on my camino I was a bit annoyed when someone back home told me to enjoy my vacation. I bristled. Why did that word annoy me so much? I was on a pilgrimage! Anyway, I'm about to embark on my fourth camino, whatever people call it. What do you think?
I think, that I am surprised that someone who has completed the spiritual and physical journey of a Camino, is in the slightest bit bothered what someone else calls it.Last year on my camino I was a bit annoyed when someone back home told me to enjoy my vacation. I bristled. Why did that word annoy me so much? I was on a pilgrimage! Anyway, I'm about to embark on my fourth camino, whatever people call it. What do you think?
I know! I need to figure this out LOL. That’s why I asked you all for help.::: chuckle::: Silvermomma, I'd invite you to spend a little more time with yourself and your original question. Why did it bother you? What part of your self- image was being challenged by calling your personal experience and possible suffering a "vacation?" Figure that out, and you may find a fruitful avenue of self discovery.
What we think doesn't really matter. What they think doesn't really matter.
What expectation are you carrying that wasn't met?
Im trying to decide what *I* call it! And if that even matters.I think, that I am surprised that someone who has completed the spiritual and physical journey of a Camino, is in the slightest bit bothered what someone else calls it.
How about "Silvermommas Big Walk" , they can stick that in their pipe and smoke itIm trying to decide what *I* call it! And if that even matters.
Yes, exactly - never mind us or anyone else. Just put the question out there and let the answer arise by itself. It will.Im trying to decide what *I* call it! And if that even matters.
Yes - 100% agree with this.Both.
Regular holidays for me and a pilgrimage.
Then again I do not give a toss how others perceive my Caminos.
The whole discussion about " tourist / true pilgrim " is so boring.
I wrote it already here on other threads. I met many so called holidaymakers on a Camino who behaved nicer and gentler than the so called true pilgrim who behaved obnoxious and arrogant.
Here we part company, @TravellingMan22.They are all of equal merit.
Well, if you’re of working age ie not retired, your pilgrimage has to be a vacationLast year on my camino I was a bit annoyed when someone back home told me to enjoy my vacation. I bristled. Why did that word annoy me so much? I was on a pilgrimage! Anyway, I'm about to embark on my fourth camino, whatever people call it. What do you think?
I think you're over-thinking things.Here we part company, @TravellingMan22.
Consumption for the sake of pleasure (as in going to The Super Bowl or Cancun) is one thing. Doing something that has meaning or contrutes to the welfare of others (as in working for charity or going to a retreat) is entirely another.
And the merit of each is not equal.
In any group of people walking the Camino those on the tails of the bell curve (pure 'tourists' and 'pilgrims') will never ever understand each other. But it's complicated, because most of us walk with a mix of intentions. And its impossible to tease out what's simple pleasure and what has deeper meaning.That doesn't mean they are of equal value, though.
That's not very nice to say. You comment on a well-founded post with reflected thoughts. Leave it as it is.I think you're over-thinking things.
No worries. I *am* kind of overthinking but I like to do that. We can just call it reflection: silvermomma version!That's not very nice to say. You comment on a well-founded post with reflected thoughts. Leave it as it is.
I describe my retirement as "the vacation that never ends". My whole life is now a vacation. And my Caminos are an important part of my life.Last year on my camino I was a bit annoyed when someone back home told me to enjoy my vacation. I bristled. Why did that word annoy me so much? I was on a pilgrimage! Anyway, I'm about to embark on my fourth camino, whatever people call it. What do you think?
Here we part company, @TravellingMan22.
Consumption for the sake of pleasure (as in going to The Super Bowl or Cancun) is one thing. Doing something that has meaning or contrutes to the welfare of others (as in working for charity or going to a retreat) is entirely another.
And the merit of each is not equal.
I guess the central point is about meaning! I have done 3 caminos. I hugely enjoyed them. But they were individual pursuits with no meaning to anyone but me! Maybe even selfish! Contrast that taking my children to Cancun and our bonding and happiness as a family and their excitement… no contest!Here we part company, @TravellingMan22.
Consumption for the sake of pleasure (as in going to The Super Bowl or Cancun) is one thing. Doing something that has meaning or contrutes to the welfare of others (as in working for charity or going to a retreat) is entirely another.
And the merit of each is not equal.
In any group of people walking the Camino those on the tails of the bell curve (pure 'tourists' and 'pilgrims') will never ever understand each other. But it's complicated, because most of us walk with a mix of intentions. And it’s impossible to tease out what's simple pleasure and what has deeper meaning.That doesn't mean they are of equal value, though.
I'm well aware of the many layers of nuance, @TravellingMan22. I've been 'on the road' since 2003, and in that time multiple layers of nuance have revealed themselves.So it’s more nuanced that you think.
I actually think we agree about this more than we don't. I walk as a contemplation and as prayer, as a form of inner rest, as a way of connecting with both other people and with nature, culture, and history.How would you unless you are a volunteer! It about you and you own agenda.
What's not nice are obnoxious attitudes towards those who walk a Camino for different reasons than yourself.That's not very nice to say. You comment on a well-founded post with reflected thoughts. Leave it as it is.
Thank you so much. I wonder if it's a question like "If I'm enjoying myself, is it a pilgrimage?"Yes, exactly - never mind us or anyone else. Just put the question out there and let the answer arise by itself. It will.
Itn the end it may or may not matter. The asking and inner listening is everything.
Me??? please stop this now. Don't put me in a light without me saying anything about anything. Moderators?What's not nice are obnoxious attitudes towards those who walk a Camino for different reasons than yourself.
Me??? please stop this now. Don't put me in a light without me saying anything about anything. Moderators?
No not you, the person I responded to. Maybe re-read to original post. It's not about you.Me??? please stop this now. Don't put me in a light without me saying anything about anything. Moderators?
Interestingly, my two sisters and I just had our first "Sisters' Adventure", and my older sister asked pointedly what we expect on a vacation. We each had very different takes on "a vacation". My older sister especially. She likes to go to get pampered and not have to arrange things or make decisions. She likes a european river cruise or a posh hotel. Her idea of walking the camino is having everything booked and carried from Sarria, no albergues. I was very confused at the vacation question-as my ideas about travel are walking on pilgrimage, visiting friends and family and going camping or backpacking with scouts. I've lived in Rome, Heidelberg, and Paris-- and have a hard time imagining going to europe for a week as a tourist, staying in a fancy hotel... (Although I do hear that sometimes hotels can be okay!) Honestly, I've never gone on a tour with a bus and a group anywhere. Vacation?Last year on my camino I was a bit annoyed when someone back home told me to enjoy my vacation. I bristled. Why did that word annoy me so much? I was on a pilgrimage! Anyway, I'm about to embark on my fourth camino, whatever people call it. What do you think?
Amen to that!And, lying on a beach or a pool, OMG I don't know anything more boring and that I hate more.
I beg to disagree. A "holiday" is a non-US word meaning "vacation"Vacation is a US word meaning holiday.
Ahh, but in this case the chicken definitely came before the egg. And the egg just pretends to speak - wait for it - 'English'I beg to disagree. A "holiday" is a non-US word meaning "vacation"
This is a very good description of what the Camino is like for me. I often wonder, 'What I was thinking?'A vacation is easy to embark upon; everything has been laid out for us to have a predictable, comfortable, and reassuring holiday But a pilgrimage is different; we are actually beckoning to the darkness in our lives. The fear is real.
You could assume good intent. We cannot expect people who have not done this to know the correct/preferred terminology.Last year on my camino I was a bit annoyed when someone back home told me to enjoy my vacation. I bristled. Why did that word annoy me so much? I was on a pilgrimage! Anyway, I'm about to embark on my fourth camino, whatever people call it. What do you think?
Here in Canada, holiday and vacation have different but overlapping meanings - at least in my dialect.I beg to disagree. A "holiday" is a non-US word meaning "vacation"
if a Camino is walked within one's vacation days of their paid work, it may indeed be a vacation (and a pilgrimage).Last year on my camino I was a bit annoyed when someone back home told me to enjoy my vacation. I bristled. Why did that word annoy me so much? I was on a pilgrimage! Anyway, I'm about to embark on my fourth camino, whatever people call it. What do you think?
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