Recent Posts

[A Kerryman]

I would just like to say it’s brilliant to see all the posts about Back Packs , Ponchos , Socks , Orrison , Blisters again after the past 2 years . Though they drive me insane , it means people are going to return in numbers this year and that is great .
I would just like to say the most important things are your shoes and have enough funds and do not over plan it and you will have a wonderful time . You might get wet but you will dry off and you will get tired but you will recover . Buen Camino to all in 2022 .

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

I never thought i would be Post #2!!!

However, I must disagree, to an extent. If the pilgrim is a first timer, and you are a planner, do as much menucha planning as you can. Get your enjoyment out of your planning. You are the one that enjoys it.

But once the first camino is done, find out how it makes you feel. Then after a month at home, has that feeling changed? My guess is that feelings will change. If it evolves to a desire to return, that planning will likely diminish. The transformation from hiker to Pilgrim has begun.

Careful. There will be no controlling it. The addiction is lifelong.

 

[lt56ny]

I never thought i would be Post #2!!!

However, I must disagree, to an extent. If the pilgrim is a first timer, and you are a planner, do as much menucha planning as you can. Get your enjoyment out of your planning. You are the one that enjoys it.

But once the first camino is done, find out how it makes you feel. Then after a month at home, has that feeling changed? My guess is that feelings will change. If it evolves to a desire to return, that planning will likely diminish. The transformation from hiker to Pilgrim has begun.

Careful. There will be no controlling it. The addiction is lifelong.

Post number 3 However I must disagree with Post number 2 to an extent. It is fun to plan your camino and do research and do itineraries, and whatever else feeds your confidence or in some cases even neuroses . Plan and plan take notes, ask questions, watch videos but once you start throw it all out the window, and just start to walk and let the Camino and your body, mind and spirit guide you. I love to plan before I start a camino, it is lots of fun. Then it all goes in my trash can on the bottom right of my Mac.

 

[Esperanza]

I am going to disagree with Post #2 because I don’t think there is any relationship whatsoever between the amount of planning one does and one’s status as pilgrim or hiker.

 

[davebugg]

Post Number 5. I agree with all of the above.

 

[sharonmonty]

Post 6! I’m a newbie. First Camino in May. Loving the planning but wanting to just go for it once we start. Obsessed with reading posts on this forum

 

[Dani7]

Post number 3 However I must disagree with Post number 2 to an extent. It is fun to plan your camino and do research and do itineraries, and whatever else feeds your confidence or in some cases even neuroses . Plan and plan take notes, ask questions, watch videos but once you start throw it all out the window, and just start to walk and let the Camino and your body, mind and spirit guide you. I love to plan before I start a camino, it is lots of fun. Then it all goes in my trash can on the bottom right of my Mac.

I started planning for my first Camino in 2019 for spring 2020. And it was the best 9 months of fun and research. I’m still planning to an extent (tweaking and reading and learning Spanish) for 2023. For me it feels I’ve been on the Camino since 2019 and I’m so enjoying this planning phase. Whatever you need to do to feel at ease before your first steps…do it. Once I start walking all that planning will melt away while I live in the moment and enjoy the privilege of experiencing life as a pilgrim. Buen Camino to young and old

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Post #8...I agree with bits and dabs of all of the above posts, but my days of fully "winging" a Camino and throwing my time consuming plans out the window are gone. I have never walked alone or I'd possibly feel differently. I have always walked with 1, 2 or 3 family or friends at a time which makes planning ahead with lodging more important as the Caminos keep escalated in popularity since my first one in 2015. I always feel relief to know my ducks are in a row before I leave home, since I tend to be the planner for the ones coming with me.

 

[A Kerryman]

Post 6! I’m a newbie. First Camino in May. Loving the planning but wanting to just go for it once we start. Obsessed with reading posts on this forum

And that is the biggest problem with the forum ., you will become addicted but just know this ,
1 you do not need Merrell shoes to walk the Camino
2 you do not need an Atlas Poncho to walk the Camino
3 You do not need an Osprey Talon to walk the Camino
thousands who couldn’t afford any of the above sourced a cheaper alternative and they still got on fine and reached Santiago De Compostela in one piece

 

[David Tallan]

Post number whatever.
I'm very much in the plan a lot but don't commit to those plans school of Camino preparation. The image I like is holding your plans on an open palm rather than in a closed fist. Make your plans. Love them. Let them go. If they were meant to be, they will return.

 

[sharonmonty]

And that is the biggest problem with the forum ., you will become addicted but just know this ,
1 you do not need Merrell shoes to walk the Camino
2 you do not need an Atlas Poncho to walk the Camino
3 You do not need an Osprey Talon to walk the Camino
thousands who couldn’t afford any of the above sourced a cheaper alternative and they still got on fine and reached Santiago De Compostela in one piece

Thank you! I’ve not bought anything new so far. Probably will get trail runners but everything else is using stuff I already have. Trying to do it light but basic.

 

[alexwalker]

I started planning for my first Camino in 2019 for spring 2020. And it was the best 9 months of fun and research. I’m still planning to an extent (tweaking and reading and learning Spanish) for 2023. For me it feels I’ve been on the Camino since 2019 and I’m so enjoying this planning phase. Whatever you need to do to feel at ease before your first steps…do it. Once I start walking all that planning will melt away while I live in the moment and enjoy the privilege of experiencing life as a pilgrim. Buen Camino to young and old

The planning phase is the start of your Camino. You are already a pilgrim. Welcome to the club.

 

[lt56ny]

I started planning for my first Camino in 2019 for spring 2020. And it was the best 9 months of fun and research. I’m still planning to an extent (tweaking and reading and learning Spanish) for 2023. For me it feels I’ve been on the Camino since 2019 and I’m so enjoying this planning phase. Whatever you need to do to feel at ease before your first steps…do it. Once I start walking all that planning will melt away while I live in the moment and enjoy the privilege of experiencing life as a pilgrim. Buen Camino to young and old

A kindred planning pilgrim. Buen Camino tambien!

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Post #8...I agree with bits and dabs of all of the above posts, but my days of fully "winging" a Camino and throwing my time consuming plans out the window are gone. I have never walked alone or I'd possibly feel differently. I have always walked with 1, 2 or 3 family or friends at a time which makes planning ahead with lodging more important as the Caminos keep escalated in popularity since my first one in 2015. I always feel relief to know my ducks are in a row before I leave home, since I tend to be the planner for the ones coming with me.

I am a solo traveler. No one else is responsible for my decisions, or its ramifications

My planning ends when I have determined how I am getting to the start line, so to speak. From there, it is a matter of a couple of days while I find flights home at the end of the Camino. Everything in between happens as it happens. It is the best way to create, "unplanned," adventures. This is how I get the greatest amount of enjoyment in my travelling.

Finally, as an example, I have never made a reservationon the Camino, not even at Orisson...lol.

 

[Phoenix]

Post number whatever #2

It is not a surprise that forum members disagree about the slightest things.

Water is wet.