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Have no expectations. Without a time machine, you cannot go home again, so accept the repeat as a unique experience. Erase everything from your memory except that occasional tricky intersection where you got disoriented.Have those of you with multiple Camino’s under their belt any recommendations of ways to avoid the «déjà vu» effect and the disappointment of repetitions
From 2004 through 2013 I have walked the Camino Frances in its entirety nine times. The terrain may have been the same but the realities greatly varied. Although each Camino began with both anticipation and trepidation as I wondered how it all would go, each pilgrimage developed its own rich mix of old friends and new, fickleness of weather, stamina and health and, of course, philosophical musings and thanksgiving.
Margaret Meredith
But I am afraid of those moments of finding that the previously great albergue is just «so-so», the fantastic food in that small restaurant has turned terrible, that the deep emotions felt at the Cruz de fierro are empty now, etc.
Hi Pano, personally I know the struggle very well. Not with the camino but with other activities in my life.
There is a dutch poem which goes like: A man often suffers the most, because of the suffering he fears. Probably there is also an englist phrase like this.
My thoughts now are: dare to be disappointed. You'll be fine.
From 2004 through 2013 I have walked the Camino Frances in its entirety nine times. The terrain may have been the same but the realities greatly varied. Although each Camino began with both anticipation and trepidation as I wondered how it all would go, each pilgrimage developed its own rich mix of old friends and new, fickleness of weather, stamina and health and, of course, philosophical musings and thanksgiving.
Remember "The end of one journey is simply the start of another. You have to see what you missed the first time, see again what you already saw, see in springtime what you saw in summer, in daylight what you saw at night, see the sun shining where you saw the rain falling, see crops growing, the fruit ripen, the stone which has moved, the shadow that was not there before. You have to go back to the footsteps already taken, to go over them again or add fresh ones alongside them. You have to start the journey anew. Always." Jose Saramago, A Journey to Portugal
Ultreia!
Margaret Meredith
I became one of those very boring camino repeaters who told all his fellow pilgrims about what was ahead. Then it occurred to me that I was trying to make my memories their memories, and I stopped doing it. I try to stick to factual answers to direct questions on what lies ahead. You cannot repeat it all, either for yourself or another person, so do yourself a favor and do not try to repeat.I also may do the camino again soon with my husband and wondered about the magic of repeating it all.
I am still debating if it would not be wiser to chose another Camino such as the Norte, this would take care of the déja-vu but I read that it is a lot more "frugal" in regards to accommodation and food. Also, the Norte being less frequented, I may miss the enjoyable companionship.
Oh well, decisions, decisions....but its a lot of fun to play with the thoughts. The first time around, it was a question of "do it or not", now its "do it this way or another"; the excitement is building!
Hi Pierre,
Thank you for asking. I always enjoy sharing. A nutshell version is my downfall though. I'll try.
Comparing the two may seem quite easy, but as you know the walk has much to do with the experience we have with other people and how we feel inside each day.
The CN is more "demanding" as far as hills, distances between refugios, tarmac walking. It is also more rewarding as far as incredible coastal scenery, delicious seafood, the ability to jump into the sea on a warm day (hard to get out sometimes especially if beer/wine involved), less walkers which could bring a closer knit group. Oh, I refer to warm day instead of hot day as the climate is much cooler along the coast. There could be some hot ones of course. I like those too. Just like on the CF, one is rarely without a place to stay, food to eat, wine/chocolate to savor. In places where there might not be refugios, I found places which offered "pilgrim's prices" for rooms. These were always good especially if I could share the cost with someone else. A nice respite from the refugios as well.
Walking distances for me are more on the CN; maybe 35km instead of 29km on the CF. On either route, I don't like to walk any later in the day than 14:00. However, on the CN there were a few days of longer hours. I didn't mind so much as the weather was nice. The walks of others does not have to be this long each day. It's what I prefer.
Consider I walked four years ago during the Holy Year in the beginning of summer. Over these years, I've come to find out the popularity of the CN has increased (as has the Caminos in general) and so has some of the services. In the 10 years of reading/writing of the Way to SdC, I can not remember one time coming across another who didn't enjoy the overall experience of the CN.
When I return, I will like to connect the CN route with local trails and the GR-9(?) so as to stay closer to the coast and off the tarmac which is the worst part of the CN. There are some days when the trail makes no sense to me. I don't mean to attack the authenticity of the historical Camino itself. I mean to say is the Spanish build things and re-route the CN. While the initial signs of "detour" are well placed, they seem to forget to indicate how to get back to the Camino route! Extremely frustrating. However, even this had brought new adventure.
Is this a good start? How else may I assist?
Salud,
Simeon
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