Post Camino Blues - Planning the next Camino?

[jennysa]

I have just completed the Camino from SJPDP and am still in a state of disbelief that it is all over. After 10 days back at home, I am still trying to make the adjustment back to my former life (if that is ever possible), so I am already planning my next Camino. I would be interested to know if there are any statistics available about the number of pilgrims who do the Camino a second or even third time, and whether they follow exactly the same route or try a new route. At this stage - 2 weeks later - I am thinking of doing the route between Le Puy and SJPDP, but then the thought of not seeing all those wonderful places on the Camino Frances is quite unbearable.

I would also love to hear from pilgrims who have completed the Camino a second or third time, whether doing it again is a similar life-changing experience, or is there nothing quite like one's first camino. I really would appreciate it if some of the veteran pilgrims could share their experiences.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Hahaha!
You're HOOKED!

Welcome to the club! :lol:

 

[Whalleyranger]

I've walked the frances twice and the portugues once. Although I don't think I'd do the CP again (there's only a limited attraction in walking the hard shoulder of the N550) I'd definitely do the CF as many times as I could.
In fact my fiance and I are planning on visiting our favourite parts of the CF for our honeymoon.

I would be interested to know if there are any statistics available about the number of pilgrims who do the Camino a second or even third time, and whether they follow exactly the same route or try a new route.

I'd be interested to see these stats too - I don't remember them asking that question at the cathedral office though, so I don't know how else they could be collected.

 

[anniethenurse]

You can see some statistics here:
http://peregrinossantiago.es/eng/post-p ... adisticas/
http://peregrinossantiago.es/esp/

I don´t think they collect the kind of statistic you are looking for - they do not ask if it is the first time or not when you get the compostela.

And I am going back next April - my third time on CF.
I have done before SJPP - Burgos May 2009 and Burgos to SDC April 2011.

 

[lucky]

I walked St Jean- Muxia-Santiago during July and Aug 2010 and readjustment back to abnormal life has been difficult for me.I am now very busy learning French and hopefully one day i can walk a circular route Lourdes- Obanus- Pamplona- St Jean - Lourdes this looks like a nice journey good luck with your plans Paul

 

[robertt]

Jennysa,

Not quite an answer to your question, but...

If you loved the CF, you are surely going to love Le Puy-to-SJPDP.

 

[marjude]

Hi Jennysa,

I walked from Seville in March planning to walk to Santiago, I made it to Salamanca before I became sick, I didn't know what was wrong with me, so I returned home quite content with what I had done, but It was probably only a week before I was thinking, I'm going back. I will either do the Vldp from Seville again or start from Salamanca in 2013, I was warned it was addictive.

Judy.

 

[newfydog]

Well, we did Pamplona to Santiago. Then we went back and started from Le Puy, and figured since we were already there, we'd go onto to Santiago again, and stay in different towns. On the way to Le Puy we spent a night in Vezelay----that looked nice,and the guidebooks are on the shelf ready to go.

Then we went from Prague to Le Puy via Germany and Switzerland, Italy to Arles to Toulouse, and have the Canterbury to Rome books and tracks ready to go....

The first trip is indeed magical. I think the section from Le Puy was the best of the lot.

We try to do a bit of planning for the trip after next, so that we have something to look forward to at the end of each trip.

 

[petro]

Hi Jennysa,

I am currently doing my second camino frances (fellow south african). Did the first one in 2008. Never stopped thinking about it so I am back and loving every minute of it. I am currently in Barbadelos and hoping to go on to Finisterre after reaching Santiago.

You´ll be back

Petro

 

[Sagalouts]

your first Camino is indeed special but tends to be full of trepidation, can I do this thing? will it change me? how strong am I? You learn these things-you find you are indeed strong both in mind and body the hard thing is to retain this when back in the so called real world,each time I go back I retain more of what I learn about myself so the gap between the Camino and my world back home recedes into one.
it does not matter which route you take because it is you walking learning enjoying,but most repeaters walk different Camino's and meeting these people enhance the experience, your conversations rise above the where did you start where are you going and why you walk the camino,
this year I even met up with someone I walked with last year there was hardly any conversation just the shared smiles between fellow addicts.
but I have to say the CF is special and I find myself drawn back, it seems each time is different, like any great love affair it intensifies the more you put into it
so welcome to the club
Ian

 

[jennysa]

your first Camino is indeed special but tends to be full of trepidation, can I do this thing? will it change me? how strong am I? You learn these things-you find you are indeed strong both in mind and body the hard thing is to retain this when back in the so called real world,each time I go back I retain more of what I learn about myself so the gap between the Camino and my world back home recedes into one.
it does not matter which route you take because it is you walking learning enjoying,but most repeaters walk different Camino's and meeting these people enhance the experience, your conversations rise above the where did you start where are you going and why you walk the camino,
this year I even met up with someone I walked with last year there was hardly any conversation just the shared smiles between fellow addicts.
but I have to say the CF is special and I find myself drawn back, it seems each time is different, like any great love affair it intensifies the more you put into it
so welcome to the club
Ian

Thank you everyone for your responses. I am sure you all know the feeling that I have right now, so it all helps. What on earth we would we do without this forum?

 

[dkenagy]

When we were about 10 K outside of Santiago sloshing through the mud and rain my wife made up this song "End of Camino Blues" (to the tune of Johnny Ray's "Just Walking in the Rain":

Just walking in the rain
Getting kind of wet
10 K to Santiago
We haven't gotten there yet

Just walking in the rain
Feeling kind of blue
When we finish our Camino
Then what's left for us to do?

People come to their windows
They always stare at us
Shake their heads in wonder
Saying "Why don't they catch the Bus?"

Justing walking in the rain
Getting muddy shoes
We'll be there tomorrow
It's "End of Camino Blues"

We finished in June 2009 and will begin again in March 2012.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I walked the CF twice, in 2001 and 2010. (In between I upped sticks and moved from US to Spain.)

The second time was nothing like the first. I still kinda wonder why I did it again, it was a bit of a disappointment even though I did not to expect anything from it. Thank goodness the dear friends I made the first time round are still part of my life; I did not meet any people like them the second time.
Not that it cannot happen for you. Each camino is so different for each person.

You cannot "go home" again."
Reb.

 

[sillydoll]

Reb, maybe that is because you are on 'home' ground now?
There is something exciting and exotic about travelling to a different country, different foods, different language, different way of life. I love walking at home - we have got a beautiful country - but its nothing like embarking on a long journey, far from home and walking in Europe.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

You cannot "go home" again.

Many caminos have crashed on the rocky shores of expectations. Life in general can do that too. I think the disappointment comes from trying to shape the world rather than adapt to it. Control is pretty illusory, and nothing proves that more than expectations.

 

[dalston999]

I too am planning my next Camino having completed the first from Le Puy to Santiago September and October 2012 and on to Fisterra and Murxia. I am 59 and it was one of the best things I have ever done.

I am now contemplating the Via de la Plata or the Arles route in the spring, but it seems the advice is to start mid March or later to try and avoid the possibility of bad weather. I shall be walking on my own, unless I manage to find some company before then, so I also don't want to run the risk of being TOO solitary for days on end or albergues being closed.

I'd love to hear from anyone thinking of either route in the spring.

My question is this - does anyone have advice on other possibilities for long-distance walks in Jan and Feb where accomodation etc costs wouldn't be too high and the weather not too cold or wet?

THANK YOU