Reflection in anticipation of the Camino

[CaminoDeChristiano]

I'm not sure why I felt compelled to write something here though I feel as though others will relate to this. I will be leaving from Dublin via ferry to Cherbourg and walking over 1500km until I reach Santiago. This journey begins in a little over ten weeks from now and makes up the first section of a two-year career break.

I almost feel as though I've made the journey through France and Spain a dozen times in my head - imagining the things I'll see, the people I'll meet, and the emotions I'll feel. Of course, all of this is ultimately unknowable until my feet take me to those places in time - no matter how much I read and research. I'm also aware that this walk is taking more and more of my headspace as it draws closer which can make it difficult to be present at the moment.

It's a feeling I experienced waiting to complete the Camino Frances in 2022. I left Santiago then but it certainly has not left me. The anticipation to start the walk and experience that simple life again is a wonderful, frustrating, exciting, difficult to articulate feeling. I can't wait. Buen Camino.

 

[Jarrad]

Oh the anticipation is so sweet. I look forward to hearing about your Camino version 2.0 experience! New friends, new food, new blessings? Did your familiarity with the Way of St. James open new doors?

May luck be with you on your next Camino, and your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow.

 

[davejsy]

What an amazing adventure that route is going to be!

 

[Homely]

I'm not sure why I felt compelled to write something here though I feel as though others will relate to this. I will be leaving from Dublin via ferry to Cherbourg and walking over 1500km until I reach Santiago. This journey begins in a little over ten weeks from now and makes up the first section of a two-year career break.

I almost feel as though I've made the journey through France and Spain a dozen times in my head - imagining the things I'll see, the people I'll meet, and the emotions I'll feel. Of course, all of this is ultimately unknowable until my feet take me to those places in time - no matter how much I read and research. I'm also aware that this walk is taking more and more of my headspace as it draws closer which can make it difficult to be present at the moment.

It's a feeling I experienced waiting to complete the Camino Frances in 2022. I left Santiago then but it certainly has not left me. The anticipation to start the walk and experience that simple life again is a wonderful, frustrating, exciting, difficult to articulate feeling. I can't wait. Buen Camino.

What route are you taking, down to mont St Michel, are you camping

 

[CaminoDeChristiano]

What route are you taking, down to mont St Michel, are you camping

Yeah down to St Mont Michel, then a hybrid of other routes and onto the Camino Norte. I'll likely switch to the Primitivo towards the end. I made a little animation of it here;

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[Carla M.]

Hi @CaminoDeChristiano , I am in a similar situation. My first Camino in 2022 and are now anticipating my second Camino in 5 months.
I can relate with much that you have said: the anticipation, the joy of returning to a simpler life, the time for reflection (I meditate while walking).

I almost feel as though I've made the journey through France and Spain a dozen times in my head - imagining the things I'll see, the people I'll meet, and the emotions I'll feel.

My first Camino was nothing like I had previously planned or imagined. It was completely different and absolutely perfect. So now I am traying not to get expectations about the second Camino, and not to overthink it, in order not to get disappointed (in case I don't make the same connection nor have similar feelings as in the first Camino). But also in order to keep myself open to whatever the new Camino brings, good and not so good.

I wish you a Bueno Camino!

 

[CaminoDeChristiano]

Hi @CaminoDeChristiano , I am in a similar situation. My first Camino in 2022 and are now anticipating my second Camino in 5 months.
I can relate with much that you have said: the anticipation, the joy of returning to a simpler life, the time for reflection (I meditate while walking).

My first Camino was nothing like I had previously planned or imagined. It was completely different and absolutely perfect. So now I am traying not to get expectations about the second Camino, and not to overthink it, in order not to get disappointed (in case I don't make the same connection nor have similar feelings as in the first Camino). But also in order to keep myself open to whatever the new Camino brings, good and not so good.

I wish you a Bueno Camino!

Thank you for such a thoughtful reply. I think, for me, I understand this next journey won't be like my first - although I wouldn't want it to be. My first Camino was this beautiful, difficult, maddening, and inspiring once in a lifetime experience. I'm treated this one like another one-off experience in of itself.

I will actually be volunteering at an albergue between Villafranca del Bierzo and O Cebreiro in 5 months time. Hopefully we cross paths if you're walking the Frances. Buen Camino.

 

[Carla M.]

Thank you for such a thoughtful reply. I think, for me, I understand this next journey won't be like my first - although I wouldn't want it to be. My first Camino was this beautiful, difficult, maddening, and inspiring once in a lifetime experience. I'm treated this one like another one-off experience in of itself.

I will actually be volunteering at an albergue between Villafranca del Bierzo and O Cebreiro in 5 months time. Hopefully we cross paths if you're walking the Frances. Buen Camino.

I wish you a great experience. On the Camino and as a volunteer.
I will be doing the Portuguese, senda litoral + spiritual variant, so we won't cross paths (at least not this year )