Katy Hansen
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- (2016)
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I am a 69 year old woman. In 2015, I walked alone from Avila to Toro, and from Ourense to Santiago de Compostela. In 2017, I walked alone from Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela on the Camino de Invierno, with an excursion for a retreat at the monastery in Oseira. I also walked for a few days on the Frances with a friend. I did not need anyone to defend me, ever. I do think you need to use common sense and exercise the same precautions that you would anywhere you travel. I met many more people on the Frances than on either of the more solitary routes I took. For that very reason, I felt a greater need to exercise more caution on the Frances than on the other routes. All of my experiences on the Caminos were fabulous, privileged moments of grace and personal development.
One amusing anecdote: in 2015, my husband joined me in Santiago after I finished my solitary walk of about 200 miles. When I offered to run an errand for him, he asked me, "Will you be able to find your way back to the hotel?" The men who love us have a tendency to underestimate our competence, even in the face of strong evidence! I hope this is an expression of their loving concern for us, and not merely male chauvinism....
Hahahahahah"no one around to defend us". Egads.
I am a 69 year old woman. In 2015, I walked alone from Avila to Toro, and from Ourense to Santiago de Compostela. In 2017, I walked alone from Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela on the Camino de Invierno, with an excursion for a retreat at the monastery in Oseira. I also walked for a few days on the Frances with a friend. I did not need anyone to defend me, ever. I do think you need to use common sense and exercise the same precautions that you would anywhere you travel. I met many more people on the Frances than on either of the more solitary routes I took. For that very reason, I felt a greater need to exercise more caution on the Frances than on the other routes. All of my experiences on the Caminos were fabulous, privileged moments of grace and personal development.
One amusing anecdote: in 2015, my husband joined me in Santiago after I finished my solitary walk of about 200 miles. When I offered to run an errand for him, he asked me, "Will you be able to find your way back to the hotel?" The men who love us have a tendency to underestimate our competence, even in the face of strong evidence! I hope this is an expression of their loving concern for us, and not merely male chauvinism....
My sister-in-law and I are on the verge of committing to a walk from Leon to Santiago the middle of September, 2018. We are both over 60, though youthful and fit ; - ). My husband is very concerned about safety with "no one around to defend us". Egads. Does anyone have any thoughts for me? And if this should be posted on a different thread or Forum, please let me know - I'll admit I'm a novice to forums. Thank you so much in advance for your advice.
Hi, my first post yeh! I am a 63 year old female and walked alone from SJPP to Santiago in August 2017 in 29 days. I loved it and miss it still.I had a Black swan daypack and had done minimal planning. I stayed mostly at Private Albergues as I learnt very quickly I preferred a sheet on the bed and less people for maximum sleep. I didn't book ahead just walked as far as my feet wanted 17km to 40km a day as I had 5 weeks before my flight. I didn't feel alone however meeting lots of wonderful people along the way. Julio from Brazil, Mary and Gary from Australia, Kristof from Germany, Lee from China, Gary from Cronulla, Agnes from France, Lesa Lotte from Denmark, Andy from Switzerland, Dee from the USA and the amazing Celeste and Olivia from Spain who started with me in SJPP and finished with me in Santiago.My sister-in-law and I are on the verge of committing to a walk from Leon to Santiago the middle of September, 2018. We are both over 60, though youthful and fit ; - ). My husband is very concerned about safety with "no one around to defend us". Egads. Does anyone have any thoughts for me? And if this should be posted on a different thread or Forum, please let me know - I'll admit I'm a novice to forums. Thank you so much in advance for your advice.
Take a broadsword and mace...My sister-in-law and I are on the verge of committing to a walk from Leon to Santiago the middle of September, 2018. We are both over 60, though youthful and fit ; - ). My husband is very concerned about safety with "no one around to defend us". Egads. Does anyone have any thoughts for me? And if this should be posted on a different thread or Forum, please let me know - I'll admit I'm a novice to forums. Thank you so much in advance for your advice.
My husband is very concerned about safety with "no one around to defend us". Egads. Does anyone have any thoughts for me? And
I did my first Camino when I was 65, alone. I've done 6 since then, alone. I'm going alone again this May. I have never had any problem or any had any reason to be afraid. Use common sense and you will be fine.My sister-in-law and I are on the verge of committing to a walk from Leon to Santiago the middle of September, 2018. We are both over 60, though youthful and fit ; - ). My husband is very concerned about safety with "no one around to defend us". Egads. Does anyone have any thoughts for me? And if this should be posted on a different thread or Forum, please let me know - I'll admit I'm a novice to forums. Thank you so much in advance for your advice.
I walked from SJPDP to Santiago-Finisterre-Muxia in 2015. There were lots of people and generally walking was safe. Started solo but in a few days found friends to walk together.
Still my walking buddies and me did take a bus over a stretch where a female pilgrim went missing that spring. On one occasion a fake pilgrim aka beggar took a fancy in some of our equipment and was following us quite close and long time. 1 him vs 4 of us, we were not too terrified but it didn't feel right either, did report him in 112 at the next stop when we sat down and compared the descriptions that we wanted to give the police. And yes, the operator can connect to English interpreter. After that we all took a taxi to get ahead of him.
And then there were those Romanas trying to get us sign some petition or whatnot, sure for money, they were waiting in a quiet empty stretch of road where both sides went right up, looked like a trap. Again we were 4, they 2. Maybe they would have been more assertive if the pilgrim was just solo. Safety in numbers.
Hi Katy! I did my first camino at 70, alone 2300 km aroound the coast of Brittany from my home near St Malo and then the whole of the Atlantic coast of France and on to the Norte, and on to Fisterra. Since then I have “done” the Plata, Primitivo, Salvador and Torres, always alone except for a few days when one or two of my children walked with me for a few days. Never any problem. And on the Torres you are completely alone - there are NO other pilgrims at the same time unless you bring one with you. I am now 78 and continue walking and planning....
So far I have not walked on the Frances, but I agree with what “pray’n walk” implies in her post ie that the great number of people on the Frances may well attract criminals because of the probability of “success”.
Anyway, there has been so much good advice on this thread already. so go for it and buen camino!
I did my first Camino when I was 65, alone. I've done 6 since then, alone. I'm going alone again this May. I have never had any problem or any had any reason to be afraid. Use common sense and you will be fine.
Tell your husband that you will be twice as safe on the Camino compared to where you live and it is irrelevant where you live , the answer is the same.
There will be times on the Frances you will be longing for solitude. I am a female solo traveler who has done the CF twice and in my opinion, solo is the way to go. Just use common sense and be aware of your surroundings as in every day life. The two of you are going to have a blast. It's nice you have each other but tell your husband there are plenty of Camino Angels out there if and when the time arises.
I'm very excited for you and your friend.
Buen Camino,
Angela
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