- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2009-2022: CFx6, CP, VdlPx2, Mozarabe, more later.
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Hola Alex,...They had a "leader": A tall and strong man, a former sea captain, who had taken control of the group (formed on the way) and whipped them forward by 30-40 kms/day. Anything less was not acceptable for real men, according to him.
I come from a family of seafarers and hunters/fishermen in the Arctic for centuries: It is in my blood. And the sea teaches you a lot of good lessons. As well as being humble towards your environment/surroundings. And yes, the Viking element is working well...What is it with Scandinavian men? Every second one I met on the Camino was a seafarer, must be the Viking thing. (lol).
I always appreciated the folks who slowed down their pace to walk with me for an hour or two and then sped off again.... Just goes to prove that just because some people are very fast walkers, they are not necessarily "missing" anything.
'Very considerate of you. In 2009, I held ca. 5kms/h, but today I think I'm down to 4... (rounding 60 in a couple of days...) The next time I shall deliberately slow down.That's pretty much what I did. I did a steady 5km/h on my own but slowed down to walk with others.
Well said...This year, I am going to go slow on the CF. I want to really relax and enjoy the walk (I rushed it too much the first time); I do not intend to run it, and I will definitely ignore the so called "bed race": I have aquired a relaxed attitude: If there is no room in the albergue, I shall sleep in my sleeping bag on a bench, if so needed. Or maybe treat myself to an occational hostal... I just want to walk in peace without such worries. But I believe I will always find a bed, though.
I hold a naval skipper certificate. As a skipper, I have brought sailing boats across many oceans. I have learnt two rules when sailing across the oceans:
1. If you are in doubt about a situation, act as if there is no doubt. (Safety).
2. When it is time to take a reef in the sails, it is too late to take a reef in the sails. (Too rough conditions for continuing as you do).
Let me explain: If your feeet start hurting, you have gone too far that day. If you are afraid that your feet will be hurt, you may have gone too far. If you are uncertain whether you can take the afternoon heat, act as if you cannot take it. Easy going will get you going. I will give you an example:
One year on the VdlP, one sunny Sunday, I stopped at 1 o'clock in a tiny, boring village. I felt I had had enough that day. Checked into the albergue, and went to the only bar for a cold beer on a hot day. A party of four men, in their 60's, came by and joined me.
They had a "leader": A tall and strong man, a former sea captain, who had taken control of the group (formed on the way) and whipped them forward by 30-40 kms/day. Anything less was not acceptable for real men, according to him. After a short pause at the bar, he commanded them up for more walking. One of them resisted, and asked for my help to find the albergue. We then befriended, and walked together all the way to Santiago. Shorter distances/day. We shared meals, conversations, caretaking of each other, motivation, etc. He is my friend till this day.
The sea captain? He had to abort and return home when halfway to Santiago, because his feet became a disaster area, we learned. He just broke down on the Way.
You may meet such people on the Camino: Stay in your own driver's seat.
Advice:
Do not let others determine your Camino.
Stay away from those who "know it all": You know a lot, and on the Way, you will learn a lot.
You know your body best.
Listen to your body.
Let your mind, as well as your body, determine the speed of your Camino.
Most of all: Don't rush it. Enjoy the Way.
Buen Camino!
was when I sat in an outdoor cafe with a cup of coffee and no worries; money in my purse and in the bank, in Meride (VdlP), and a very old woman came by, begging, and I gave her nothing. As she rounded the corner, I understood my ignorance and ran after her, but she was gone. I felt really, really bad.My worst regret from the camino, and it still comes back to me -
was when I sat in an outdoor cafe with a cup of coffee and no worries; money in my purse and in the bank, in Meride (VdlP), and a very old woman came by, begging, and I gave her nothing. As she rounded the corner, I understood my ignorance and ran after her, but she was gone. I felt really, really bad.
Next day I went to the same cafe, hoping she would show up (I had to stay in Meride for a few days because of foot injury: Not taking my own advice...) and she thankfully showed up again, so i made her sit down for a coffee, and collected money from the others on her behalf (+ my share). I got one of the sweetest kisses ever on my cheek. Since then, I have never passed an honest in need without giving some.
Another Camino lesson. Thank you.
This year, I am going to go slow on the CF. I want to really relax and enjoy the walk (I rushed it too much the first time); I do not intend to run it, and I will definitely ignore the so called "bed race": I have aquired a relaxed attitude: If there is no room in the albergue, I shall sleep in my sleeping bag on a bench, if so needed. Or maybe treat myself to an occational hostal... I just want to walk in peace without such worries. But I believe I will always find a bed, though.
I hold a naval skipper certificate. As a skipper, I have brought sailing boats across many oceans. I have learnt two rules when sailing across the oceans:
1. If you are in doubt about a situation, act as if there is no doubt. (Safety).
2. When it is time to take a reef in the sails, it is too late to take a reef in the sails. (Too rough conditions for continuing as you do).
Let me explain: If your feeet start hurting, you have gone too far that day. If you are afraid that your feet will be hurt, you may have gone too far. If you are uncertain whether you can take the afternoon heat, act as if you cannot take it. Easy going will get you going. I will give you an example:
One year on the VdlP, one sunny Sunday, I stopped at 1 o'clock in a tiny, boring village. I felt I had had enough that day. Checked into the albergue, and went to the only bar for a cold beer on a hot day. A party of four men, in their 60's, came by and joined me.
They had a "leader": A tall and strong man, a former sea captain, who had taken control of the group (formed on the way) and whipped them forward by 30-40 kms/day. Anything less was not acceptable for real men, according to him. After a short pause at the bar, he commanded them up for more walking. One of them resisted, and asked for my help to find the albergue. We then befriended, and walked together all the way to Santiago. Shorter distances/day. We shared meals, conversations, caretaking of each other, motivation, etc. He is my friend till this day.
The sea captain? He had to abort and return home when halfway to Santiago, because his feet became a disaster area, we learned. He just broke down on the Way.
You may meet such people on the Camino: Stay in your own driver's seat.
Advice:
Do not let others determine your Camino.
Stay away from those who "know it all": You know a lot, and on the Way, you will learn a lot.
You know your body best.
Listen to your body.
Let your mind, as well as your body, determine the speed of your Camino.
Most of all: Don't rush it. Enjoy the Way.
Buen Camino!
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