• Get your Camino Frances Guidebook here.
  • For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
    (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)
  • ⚠️ Emergency contact in Spain - Dial 112 and AlertCops app. More on this here.

Search 69,459 Camino Questions

Return from Camino. Thank you!!

Laluna

Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Frances, Astorga - SdC, August/September 2017
Hi everyone,

I just returned from a 12 day Camino on the Frances, Astorga to Santiago de Compostela. I posted a thread here back in July, rather indecisive and unsure about going. I was going alone, never having done anything like this before. I felt inexperienced and uncertain. I had knee problems and was not the most fit person in the world. What was I thinking?? :) But, I received so much encouragement, support and positivity here that I decided to take the plunge. From that moment on I devoured the posts on this forum and the wealth of knowledge to be found.

Now that I am back I am so grateful to have done it safely, in good health and with no incidents. Thank you so much to everyone on this forum! It was a truly amazing experience! It ended up being a lot more physically and mentally challenging than I imagined but it tested me and again I feel nothing but gratitude and apprecation. The time away was just what I needed. I'll never forget the feelings of calm and peace that I felt walking those shady, tranquil, pastoral paths and through those ancient, Medieval villages, that millions of pilgrims have walked through before. Nor will I forget the utter relief and joy I felt when I made it to Santiago on the final day. I also really enjoyed the camaraderie and the many interesting people I met along the way.

There were some negatives and I did experience some feelings of loneliness at times on my own, but somehow none of that seems to matter now. I certainly learned so many life lessons along the way that I'll never forget. I'm still processing it all and thinking about it so much, and am definitely feeling post-Camino syndrome and missing it, that is for sure!

I'm sure I'll be back to do another one. Now that I have gotten my feet wet, I will know so much more next time. I feel like this was just the beginning....

Just wanted to say thanks to you all for your encouragement and support of an indecisive newbie pilgrim. ;)

Kind regards,
Laluna
 
Last edited:
New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
I certainly learned so many life lessons along the way that I'll never forget. I'm still processing it all and thinking about it so much, and am definitely feeling post-Camino syndrome and missing it, that is for sure!

Congratulations on your first camino Laluna the memories will stay fresh for a long time. :)
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Thanks so much everyone! If anyone has any tips to share on how to integrate the experience and keep the Camino alive in your daily life I'd appreciate it! I am hoping to continue to walk with the local Camino group here on weekends when I can.
 
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
Thanks so much everyone! If anyone has any tips to share on how to integrate the experience and keep the Camino alive in your daily life I'd appreciate it! I am hoping to continue to walk with the local Camino group here on weekends when I can.

Just realise that the people you go back to wont have experienced what you have
Try to do a small act of kindness each day as others did for you on the Camino and you will keep the experince fresh in your mind
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Just realise that the people you go back to wont have experienced what you have
Try to do a small act of kindness each day as others did for you on the Camino and you will keep the experince fresh in your mind

Yes, wise words and good advice, thank you! I've been pleasantly surprised that everyone really is interested and enthusiastic about my trip and wanting to hear my experiences so that has been very nice.
 

Most read last week in this forum

La Voz de Galicia has reported the death of a 65 year old pilgrim from the United States this afternoon near Castromaior. The likely cause appears to be a heart attack. The pilgrim was walking the...
Just reading this thread https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/news-from-the-camino.86228/ and the OP mentions people being fined €12000. I knew that you cannot do the Napoleon in...
I’m heading to the Frances shortly and was going to be a bit spontaneous with rooms. I booked the first week just to make sure and was surprised at how tight reservations were. As I started making...
This is my first posting but as I look at the Camino, I worry about 'lack of solitude' given the number of people on the trail. I am looking to do the France route....as I want to have the...
My first SPRINGTIME days on the Camino Francés 🎉 A couple of interesting tidbits. I just left Foncebadón yesterday. See photo. By the way, it's really not busy at all on my "wave". Plenty of...
Hello, I would be grateful for some advice from the ones of you who are walking/have recently walked from SJPdP :) 1 - How busy is the first part of the camino right now? I read some reports of a...

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Forum Rules

Forum Rules

Camino Updates on YouTube

Camino Conversations

Most downloaded Resources

This site is run by Ivar at

in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2024 Camino Guides
Back
Top