docdiamond
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- summer 2023
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Well, you do what is best for you. But - if the fear of bed bugs, bland food, and finding a bed is too much for you - you might not ever go. Do bed bugs exist? Of course they do - but most people don't encounter them. Bland food? Well - you don't have to stick to the pilgrim's menu - you are welcome to eat at any bar or restaurant and chose from any menu item you wish - but overall - the food isn't suddenly going to get "less bland" over time. Personally - I wouldn't consider it to be too bland myself in the first place. And that bed race? It is over-exaggerated. It is rare to not be able to find a bed - there is always a bed a walk a little further down the road or taxi ride away if you want it. Even in the busy months. And there are always ways to get away from the crowds - whether it be to stay "off stage" or take another route or travel in a less busy month. And you could always "pre-book" if you are fearful of not finding a bed. And avoid departing on peak travel weekends such as a holiday weekend.There are bed bugs and bland food, in addition to maybe not being able to find a bed every night.
If you want better food, eat the lunchtime Menu del Dia with the locals, not the pilgrim menu.I have been wanting to walk the Camino Frances for years. I recently retired from work and was planning to go, but then there was COVID. I was planning on going this September, but now it sounds like the Camino is so jammed with people that you can't really enjoy it. There are bed bugs and bland food, in addition to maybe not being able to find a bed every night. Why would I want to hike the Camino, at least for now? And so many of you hike it over, and over, and over! Some more than ten times!!! Before you criticize me, think about thanking me. One less person to compete for a bed. And don't call me a temperamental novice, I have hiked lots of famous hikes all over the world. I am just a rational person who is acting rationally. Maybe things will improve in the future and I will be able to go, but for now, I will plan on doing another less congested hike.
No criticism from me!Before you criticize me, think about thanking me.
a more solitary walk with beautiful landscape and great food, that is a pilgrimage path at the same time, maybe choose the GR65/via podiensis in France (or you could even start in Cluny and stop in Conques). The via podiensis from Le Puy is more of a classic hiking path and has great food to offer (book your beds in advance and use demi pension for the full package of "scenic walk with great food and always a bed waiting for you"). You might even meet a few pilgrims among the french weekend hikers on their culinary trip.
Everybody will be speaking french, though.
I am sorry you had to cancel your long planned dream to walk because of panic driven irrational comments on our Forum.I am just a rational person who is acting rationally.
Not everyone! While still predominantly French people walking the Le Puy Way (whether pilgrims or hikers enjoying their long weekends and holidays - and why wouldn't they, it's a glorious path), in recent years there are more nationalities walking.
We are living in Lectoure on the Le Puy Way (I'm not French, though my husband is). In the last 10 days or so we are starting to see more pilgrims in the town - as they make their way from Le Puy. I'm always accosting pilgrims when I see them - and love to chat and exchange stories. Just in the last week I've had conversations with pilgrims from France, Germany, Australia, Belgium, New Zealand and Canada.
Completely agree.I've heard some complaints from people who felt excluded when everyone around the dinner table was speaking french and they didn't understand anything. I think that's rare, though, I've always found that people tried to include everyone, trying to communicate with hands and feet if necessary!
Sorry, I didn’t know this was a once in a lifetime only type deal.And so many of you hike it over, and over, and over! Some more than ten times!!!
A person from North Carolina describing Spanish cuisine as bland. This is very much confusing me.I think the OP, just wanted to rant. He hasn’t stuck around for a discussion.
Then no problem: stay home and walk there, if it suits you @docdiamond. It's not for us to try to change your mind nor defend the camino. It's been around a while and can take care of itself.will plan on doing another less congested hike
There are many, many routes, variations and Spain has four seasons!jammed with people
It very much depends on what we enjoy. That can change from person to person or day to day, hour to hour for individuals.you can't really enjoy it.
I'm probably a bit odd, but a journey like a Camino is about doing something different. In a different way.maybe not being able to find a bed every night
As an incredibly fussy eater, food has always been a source of anxiety on foreign travels.bland food
So.....I have been wanting to walk the Camino Frances for years.
You've been thinking about this for years. Only you know your reasons. Have they suddenly disappeared?Why would I want to hike the Camino, at least for now?
Ah. But the Camino can be so much more than a hike!I have hiked lots of famous hikes all over the world
A true pilgrimage.It's no surprise that most folks on this forum adamantly defended the Camino Frances, unable to realize that what I said about the Camino is (based on what I have read) totally true. I am a Christian, and hoped that the Camino would be a true pilgrimage that would enable me to meet a lot of interesting people and have a different experience. But the Camino appears to be so over hyped and overcrowded that there are better alternatives for me. While I am sure that the path and the experience are wonderful, it sounds like it is severely overcrowded and not for everyone. Some have said that as many as 500,000 people will walk the Camino this year. This may or may not be an exaggeration, I don't know, but it IS overcrowded. I would encourage you to take the blinders off and try something new. There are so many great alternatives with great terrain, great views and great food! And thanks so much for the constructive responses and suggestions, which I will carefully consider. As for the other folks who were offended by my post, please understand that just because I criticized the Camino doesn't mean I am a bad person.
I think your opinion on the Camino would carry more weight if it was based on actual personal experience rather than second-hand reports. I walked my first Camino Frances at a time when there were less than 5,000 Compostelas issued in the entire year. A number easily passed on just 3 days this month. I walked my most recent Camino Frances this January in a year when it appears likely there will be over 500,000 Compostelas handed out. A 100x increase in numbers. Despite that explosive growth my January walk was for the most part beautifully quiet and solitary - little different in essence from my first Camino in 1990. The current extremely high numbers are largely a predictable seasonal problem for the Camino Frances. There are still alternative routes and quieter seasons for those who prefer a more solitary journey.t's no surprise that most folks on this forum adamantly defended the Camino Frances, unable to realize that what I said about the Camino is (based on what I have read) totally true.
Since you’ve hiked lots of famous hikes, why don’t you consider the El Norte or Via de la Plata? They each end in Santiago. You should be able for it. I’ve just finished 3 weeks on the Via.. lots of fab food along the way and no bed bugs Or you can read other stories and allow them to provide you with excuses not to walk. I think you would enjoy any of the less crowded alternatives.I have been wanting to walk the Camino Frances for years. I recently retired from work and was planning to go, but then there was COVID. I was planning on going this September, but now it sounds like the Camino is so jammed with people that you can't really enjoy it. There are bed bugs and bland food, in addition to maybe not being able to find a bed every night. Why would I want to hike the Camino, at least for now? And so many of you hike it over, and over, and over! Some more than ten times!!! Before you criticize me, think about thanking me. One less person to compete for a bed. And don't call me a temperamental novice, I have hiked lots of famous hikes all over the world. I am just a rational person who is acting rationally. Maybe things will improve in the future and I will be able to go, but for now, I will plan on doing another less congested hike.
Godspeed wherever you choose to hike. Every pilgrimage on my list of those I'm interested in is overbooked this year (one (requiring guides and advance booking) was sold out for the 2022 season before March 15th). The COVID enforced travel restrictions are now fully off and people are itching to go somewhere and do something. This itch to travel may wane, but don't count on it, as more than 2 million USA workers and countless others from various EU countries took early retirement during COVID and some of them will show up on pilgrimage routes that they have long planned on doing (not so different than yourself).It's no surprise that most folks on this forum adamantly defended the Camino Frances, unable to realize that what I said about the Camino is (based on what I have read) totally true. I am a Christian, and hoped that the Camino would be a true pilgrimage that would enable me to meet a lot of interesting people and have a different experience. But the Camino appears to be so over hyped and overcrowded that there are better alternatives for me. While I am sure that the path and the experience are wonderful, it sounds like it is severely overcrowded and not for everyone. Some have said that as many as 500,000 people will walk the Camino this year. This may or may not be an exaggeration, I don't know, but it IS overcrowded. I would encourage you to take the blinders off and try something new. There are so many great alternatives with great terrain, great views and great food! And thanks so much for the constructive responses and suggestions, which I will carefully consider. As for the other folks who were offended by my post, please understand that just because I criticized the Camino doesn't mean I am a bad person.
You are offended because someone voiced an opinion other than your own? Just curious.Sorry, I didn’t know this was a once in a lifetime only type deal.
I find this comment quite offensive. If it’s not for you then don’t do it but please don’t vent on others who go, it’s a pilgrimage/hike to be shared by all. That’s one of the things that drew me to these Caminos in the first place.
Hi Doc,I have been wanting to walk the Camino Frances for years. I recently retired from work and was planning to go, but then there was COVID. I was planning on going this September, but now it sounds like the Camino is so jammed with people that you can't really enjoy it. There are bed bugs and bland food, in addition to maybe not being able to find a bed every night. Why would I want to hike the Camino, at least for now? And so many of you hike it over, and over, and over! Some more than ten times!!! Before you criticize me, think about thanking me. One less person to compete for a bed. And don't call me a temperamental novice, I have hiked lots of famous hikes all over the world. I am just a rational person who is acting rationally. Maybe things will improve in the future and I will be able to go, but for now, I will plan on doing another less congested hike.
I started in SJPD last October 19 (2022). There was very little crowd at all. No complications getting beds. I finished in Santiago on November 24 and only 166 pilgrims picked up compostellas that day. Consider going a little later in the year.I have been wanting to walk the Camino Frances for years. I recently retired from work and was planning to go, but then there was COVID. I was planning on going this September, but now it sounds like the Camino is so jammed with people that you can't really enjoy it. There are bed bugs and bland food, in addition to maybe not being able to find a bed every night. Why would I want to hike the Camino, at least for now? And so many of you hike it over, and over, and over! Some more than ten times!!! Before you criticize me, think about thanking me. One less person to compete for a bed. And don't call me a temperamental novice, I have hiked lots of famous hikes all over the world. I am just a rational person who is acting rationally. Maybe things will improve in the future and I will be able to go, but for now, I will plan on doing another less congested hike.
This forum is for people to comment, and sometimes disagree. This is discussion, not pious opinion. And you basically just acknowledged that what I said is true.Again, I respectfully ask those not currently walking to refrain from commenting. The situation at the moment is different from that in
which you’ve walked in the past, as have I. Tour groups of thirty or forty is close succession are filling the beds in small villages causing concern for pilgrims and proprietors alike. Higher numbers in general are being experienced on top. Staff are exhausted, sad to be turning pilgrims away. This is a serious concern for discussion, not an excuse for pious opinions…
Yes, I am considering the alternatives. But I am guessing that they are all busier than usual this year. I still want to experience the Camino, but want it to be a positive experience. Any suggestions are most welcome!@docdiamond, have you considered an alternative camino than the Francés? It's obviously very crowded right now. But there are many ways to Santiago.
Thanks so much for the suggestions. I will do more research. I really want to do the Camino.Since you’ve hiked lots of famous hikes, why don’t you consider the El Norte or Via de la Plata? They each end in Santiago. You should be able for it. I’ve just finished 3 weeks on the Via.. lots of fab food along the way and no bed bugs Or you can read other stories and allow them to provide you with excuses not to walk. I think you would enjoy any of the less crowded alternatives.
That's the purpose of a forum, to share feelings. Each to his own I guess. Enjoy your walk!I am new to this forum and am dismayed that it mirrors most other social media which I avoid. If one decides to do something or not do something, why share their feelings with complete strangers. Unless you are just looking for attention, why not just make other plans and avoid the drama.
I signed up because I am walking the CF in September. I understand it may be crowded and that I cannot control everything while I walk 500 miles. But I will meet new people, some who I might not like, lose sleep because people snore and have an occasional bad meal.
I'm excited for this opportunity to explore Spain at a walking pace. I've lived and traveled in Spain and love the people, the cultures, food and history. If I need to, I will "embrace the suck".
Buen Camino y'all
To each his own. Don't walk I doubt it will have an effect on anyone other than yourself. But I do believe your reasoning for the most part is flawed. Bed Bugs are a problem in found in beds from Donativos to the Four Seasons Hotels. There are many, many articles relaying this fact and preventative steps have been taken from Donativos to the Four Seasons to alleviate this problem.I have been wanting to walk the Camino Frances for years. I recently retired from work and was planning to go, but then there was COVID. I was planning on going this September, but now it sounds like the Camino is so jammed with people that you can't really enjoy it. There are bed bugs and bland food, in addition to maybe not being able to find a bed every night. Why would I want to hike the Camino, at least for now? And so many of you hike it over, and over, and over! Some more than ten times!!! Before you criticize me, think about thanking me. One less person to compete for a bed. And don't call me a temperamental novice, I have hiked lots of famous hikes all over the world. I am just a rational person who is acting rationally. Maybe things will improve in the future and I will be able to go, but for now, I will plan on doing another less congested hike.
I walked the Camino last October, ending in the first week of November. I had a great time, the crowds were not bad, but some places were closed after Nov 1. Go for it, Buen CaminoI have been wanting to walk the Camino Frances for years. I recently retired from work and was planning to go, but then there was COVID. I was planning on going this September, but now it sounds like the Camino is so jammed with people that you can't really enjoy it. There are bed bugs and bland food, in addition to maybe not being able to find a bed every night. Why would I want to hike the Camino, at least for now? And so many of you hike it over, and over, and over! Some more than ten times!!! Before you criticize me, think about thanking me. One less person to compete for a bed. And don't call me a temperamental novice, I have hiked lots of famous hikes all over the world. I am just a rational person who is acting rationally. Maybe things will improve in the future and I will be able to go, but for now, I will plan on doing another less congested hike.
Change your starting date from "summer 2023" to a date between the middle of September and the beginning of October. Stop reading Camino related discussions on social media from around the beginning of September onwards at the latest. Choose the Camino Francés from SJPP - it was, is and will always be THE Camino de Santiago. Buen Camino!Yes, I am considering the alternatives. But I am guessing that they are all busier than usual this year. I still want to experience the Camino, but want it to be a positive experience. Any suggestions are most welcome!
Sorry, I didn't mean to be hostile. I did rant a bit, but I am more disappointed than you will ever know. I realize that you have had great experiences on the Camino. But it seems like things have changed over the past few years, maybe due to COVID I don't know. Enjoy the Camino, but you really should consider some alternatives. Whatever you choose, I wish you well.To each his own. Don't walk I doubt it will have an effect on anyone other than yourself. But I do believe your reasoning for the most part is flawed. Bed Bugs are a problem in found in beds from Donativos to the Four Seasons Hotels. There are many, many articles relaying this fact and preventative steps have been taken from Donativos to the Four Seasons to alleviate this problem.
Bland food? Of course there is lots of bland food on the camino. There is lots of bland food in New York, Paris, Tokyo, Madrid, Dakar, you name the place and if will not be tough to find mediocre cooking. There is also unreal food at all price points in all cities and towns around the world. I have had bad meals that I have cooked and payed for. I have had far more memorable meals in some very inexpensive restaurants along many Caminos in 3 countries. I have also walked at times with wonderful chefs who prepared dinners in albergues for us. In 2019 I walked the last 10 days in December and there were not many albergues open and I joined a group of young pilgrims every night for dinner in the albergue. Among the young people were 2 chefs from Italy and 1 from Spain. We all had responsibilities from shopping to cleaning up to helping with food prep. We had meals every night that would have been expensive in a restaurant. They were delicious and I never paid more than 3 or 4 Euros. Great food and great people every single night. On my first camino something similar happened when a young married couple cooked paella and other Spanish dishes every night for a large group of us. Again food cost was next to nothing and food quality was through the roof. The husband's family owned a famous paella restaurant in Barcelona that went back 4 or 5 generations. They. were amazingly creative and used whatever the albergue had to prepare dishes for at least a week. Food was great in both instances but the people and the laughs and stories will last a lifetime. I have also eaten countless small little meals with other pilgrims that had a wide variety of culinary delights from great to not so good but the people and the conversation and love was of Michelin 3 star quality. As others have said finding a bed is easily fixable if you put a little effort or walk at a far less crowded time of year.Bed bugs – a growing problem in the hotel industry | Nattaro Labs
During the last decade, the number of bed bug infestations has exploded in the hospitality industry. We take a look at the different reasons behind these bed bug infestations and what can be done to prevent them.nattarolabs.com
I am sorry you do not want to walk and experience what may be a life changing event. I think for so many of us the camino has a calling and such a strong pull it overwhelms the senses. There are wants and needs. The camino give us what we need not what we want. Maybe you never really needed to walk, you just wanted to walk. So hopefully you have made the correct decision for yourself. Don't be hostile or defensive it is what you want and we respect that.
Sounds like good advice. Thanks!Change your starting date from "summer 2023" to a date between the middle of September and the beginning of October. Stop reading Camino related discussions on social media from around the beginning of September onwards at the latest. Choose the Camino Francés from SJPP - it was, is and will always be THE Camino de Santiago. Buen Camino!
enjoyI have been wanting to walk the Camino Frances for years. I recently retired from work and was planning to go, but then there was COVID. I was planning on going this September, but now it sounds like the Camino is so jammed with people that you can't really enjoy it. There are bed bugs and bland food, in addition to maybe not being able to find a bed every night. Why would I want to hike the Camino, at least for now? And so many of you hike it over, and over, and over! Some more than ten times!!! Before you criticize me, think about thanking me. One less person to compete for a bed. And don't call me a temperamental novice, I have hiked lots of famous hikes all over the world. I am just a rational person who is acting rationally. Maybe things will improve in the future and I will be able to go, but for now, I will plan on doing another less congested hike.
How can you know this if you haven't set foot on the path?what I said about the Camino is (based on what I have read) totally true.
Ah! Lots of people. Not too many people. A different experience, but not too much of a different experience.hoped that the Camino would be a true pilgrimage that would enable me to meet a lot of interesting people and have a different experience
I'm bemused that someone who hasn't set foot on a Camino thinks it's acceptable to come onto a Camino forum and tell folks what's wrong with it. Christian isn't the adjective I'd apply.I am a Christian
I do choose alternatives. Lately I have walked the VDLP, the Norte before it was popular, the Aragones, Le Puy in 2015 and for the entirety of the camino I didn't meet more than 5 pilgrims or (hikers) during the day. This year I will walk on the Vasco and have plans for the Mozarabe/VDLP again and the Madrid. I just mention this as there are so many caminos that offer so many experiences. All offer experiences you can expect and some you can't. I want to stay on the camino for one simple reason. No matter which one it is the Camino is home. Hope you continue to or soon find your happiness too. I don't know where I am going next but I know which way I will go. So many caminos so little time.Sorry, I didn't mean to be hostile. I did rant a bit, but I am more disappointed than you will ever know. I realize that you have had great experiences on the Camino. But it seems like things have changed over the past few years, maybe due to COVID I don't know. Enjoy the Camino, but you really should consider some alternatives. Whatever you choose, I wish you well.
Thanks for the thoughtful, and constructive, post!I do choose alternatives. Lately I have walked the VDLP, the Norte before it was popular, the Aragones, Le Puy in 2015 and for the entirety of the camino I didn't meet more than 5 pilgrims or (hikers) during the day. This year I will walk on the Vasco and have plans for the Mozarabe?VDLP again and the Madrid. I just mention this as there are so many caminos that offer so many experiences. All offer experiences you can expect and some you can't. I want to stay on the camino for one simple reason. No matter which one it is the Camino is home. Hope you continue to or soon find your happiness too. I don't know where I am going next but I know which way I will go. So many caminos so little time.
You have walked on some pretty special paths!You just beat me to it @lt56ny I was just about to post the same map. I appreciate your sentiments. I've walked quite a few Camino paths but sometimes feel I've barely scratched the surface.
How wonderful you have plans for the Mozarabe and the Madrid - loved them both.
I have been wanting to walk the Camino Frances for years. I recently retired from work and was planning to go, but then there was COVID. I was planning on going this September, but now it sounds like the Camino is so jammed with people that you can't really enjoy it. There are bed bugs and bland food, in addition to maybe not being able to find a bed every night. Why would I want to hike the Camino, at least for now? And so many of you hike it over, and over, and over! Some more than ten times!!! Before you criticize me, think about thanking me. One less person to compete for a bed. And don't call me a temperamental novice, I have hiked lots of famous hikes all over the world. I am just a rational person who is acting rationally. Maybe things will improve in the future and I will be able to go, but for now, I will plan on doing another less congested hike.
I walked this route in 2015 and your description is right on. I speak no French. No one spoke English. I had a sheet of paper that I gave to Gite owners asking to call ahead to reserve a bed and board in the next place. I had no real guidebook as the Michelin guide is barely worth the paper it was written on. But it is beautiful, the food was wowwwww and besides my friend and I, we only met one other person who called themselves pilgrims. It was made up entirely of almost all French, a couple of Italian friends hiking together for a week or so. I do not think I saw more than two or three people on the camino during the day. Only met people at night. Still I think it is a wonderful experience.Thank you for choosing a different "hike".
The Camino de Santiago is mainly a pilgrimage path, not a scenic hike nor culinary trip. Many people do not choose to walk it by ticking boxes in a rational manner.
Many feel called to walk it and enjoy it even with crowds, bed bugs, sleeping on park benches and horrible food. Thieves, also, robbers everywhere that will steal your dirty clothes and stinky backpack while you sleep, and packs of wild dogs waiting for you in the bushes along the trail, that will try to maul you when you pass by. Almost forgot to add that!
Or maybe it's not as bad as the internet says? But if you do not try, you will never find out...
Perfect solution to keep the trail empty - spread horrible stories about the Camino online...!
On a more serious note - if you're an avid hiker and looking for a more solitary walk with beautiful landscape and great food, that is a pilgrimage path at the same time, maybe choose the GR65/via podiensis in France (or you could even start in Cluny and stop in Conques). The via podiensis from Le Puy is more of a classic hiking path and has great food to offer (book your beds in advance and use demi pension for the full package of "scenic walk with great food and always a bed waiting for you"). You might even meet a few pilgrims among the french weekend hikers on their culinary trip.
Everybody will be speaking french, though.
I believe if you want to do “the Camino”, you should do the Primitivo! It’s quiet, beautiful, and supposedly the first!Thanks so much for the suggestions. I will do more research. I really want to do the Camino.
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