rest days

[andy.d]

I'm interested in what other pilgrims think about rest days. Walking the Levante last year, I took several, which really added greatly to my Camino. I've put a reflection on it here:

http://pilgrimpace.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/rest-days/

Do others feel the same as me or did you prefer to press on?

thanks,

Andy

 

[lynnejohn]

Andy, we're also fans of rest days. On the VDLP, for example, we have spent extra days in Merida, Salamanca and Ourense. One other, but I can't remember just now. It really recharges and refreshes our minds and bodies, as there comes a time when "pressing on" just feels wrong, and I feel as if I'm just plodding instead of enjoying myself and being really alive, open and aware of where I am and what I'm doing.

We really like to stop in places where there is more to see and do than can be done in one afternoon but we also stop at quieter, smaller places just to rest, reflect, write and putter around. The former stops are planned - the latter usually pretty spontaneous.

Highly recommended if you have the time.

lynne

 

[sulu]

I really think it depends on your personality type! Once I have started something I just have to keep going until I finish and rest days were out of the question.
I confess that this is a failing on my part and not something to be proud of. I'm sure I would have had much more enjoyment of the camino if I had been more relaxed. It took me a week to realise that stopping for a break during the day was a necessity. :?
If you can take a break do, I'm sure it is paricularly worth while for those who travel thousands of miles to visit Spain and do the Camino, that can be a lot of money to just close your mind and beetle off along the camino. Maybe for some it is necessary to have relaxation training before stops can become helpful :?:
Essentially, I think, that, rest days or not, will depend on the person.
Sue

 

[Tia Valeria]

Without 'rest' days how is one to find space and time for reflection, visiting some of the beautiful churches etc along the various Pilgrim routes.
Without that, for me, this would be long distance walking not Pilgrimage, but that is just my take on it.
However I posted my concern about any problem in taking rest day(s) on the Camino Inglés which led to Johnny Walker commenting that I shouldn't worry as pilgrims in the past would have expected to have stopped at places along the Way.
So, rest or short days are definitely part of my Camino plans next year.
Tia Valeria

 

[JohnnieWalker]

... which led to Johnny Walker commenting that I shouldn't worry as pilgrims in the past would have expected to have stopped at places along the Way.
Tia Valeria

Hola

It is a personal choice of course but I am huge believer in exploring the opportunities which the Camino brings - the medieval pilgrims made a once in a lifetime journey. It is inconceivable to me that they would have walked through Pamplona, Burgos, Leon...the great Cathedral Cities of Spain. They would have rested, reflected, visited the churches and shrines. All PART of the pilgrimage imho rather than a "rest" from it.

Abrazos

John

 

[andy.d]

thanks everyone for responses. Sulu, I wasn't trying to prescribe other people's caminos, just to share what enriched it for me. With all the richness of the responses, I can feel another blog post on it coming up!

Andy

 

[sulu]

thanks everyone for responses. Sulu, I wasn't trying to prescribe other people's caminos, just to share what enriched it for me. With all the richness of the responses, I can feel another blog post on it coming up!

Andy

Sorry, I didn't mean it to sound like I thought you were, but you had asked what people thought about rest days!
Just sticking in my twopennarth (can't spell that) and philosophizing on differences 8)
Sue

 

[andy.d]

Sue - no, you didn't come across like that at all! I'm very much of the you make and choose your own camino philosophy - it's good to have a good range of views,

Andy