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I second that fully! Good on you!I am delighted you enjoyed it!Congratulations on finishing
Thanks very much for writing about your experience,I was apprehensive before leaving and even thinking of changing routes after reading a lot of negative opinions on this last 100km of the Camino Frances.
As a first timer definitely take the classic Frances. It's experience in itself whatever it might be! On my first day from SJPdP to Roncesvalles I had everything but snow, hail included. And that was just a first day. Now think of another 30+ days what can happen and add people to that.Thanks very much for writing about your experience,
At the moment I'm planning my first Camino, reading a lot. Also considering to change the route somewhere, not to hit Sarria. Out of the same reasons you described. But maybe for a firsttimer, it's different. Because there's nothing to compare with and it might be just like you described: a fabulous experience.
But maybe for a firsttimer, it's different. Because there's nothing to compare with and it might be just like you described: a fabulous experience.
I recommend that people who will stop at Orisson not start early with the crowd that will be going all the way to Roncesvalles. Have a leisurely morning wandering the town and eating breakfast. Start around 11:00, you will still get to Orisson plenty early.t. I panicked and booked Orisson.
I ended up arriving there very early and didn’t really feel like spending the rest of the day there, so cancelled my bed and ... walked on.
II recommend that people who will stop at Orisson not start early with the crowd that will be going all the way to Roncesvalles. Have a leisurely morning wandering the town and eating breakfast. Start around 11:00, you will still get to Orisson plenty early.
I think your reaction is typical for those who start in Sarria. It is the number one starting point. It does have more pilgrims than the sections leading up to it, so can be off putting for the longer distance pilgrims. There is a lot of resistance to change, so when the crowd grows from 500 to 2,000, it makes some folks a bit grumpy.thinking of changing routes after reading a lot of negative opinions on this last 100km of the Camino Frances
I too was worried about everything I read on how crowded it was. The first 2 days, we would only cross paths with other pilgrims maybe every 10 mins..although we soon found out that it was because we started 2 hrs later than others do.
Thanks for your lovely account. I love your comment "take a leaf out of the Camino book". I think that helps make any journey that much better. I can't wait! 25 days til we fly!I completed my first Camino on 10th Sept from Sarria to Santiago and I can say with all honesty it was one of the best experiences of my life. I was apprehensive before leaving and even thinking of changing routes after reading a lot of negative opinions on this last 100km of the Camino Frances. So this is just my experience for those walking their first and are put off. And before I offend anyone, now I've walked my first, I absolutely understand why any veterans wouldn't want to do that route again. But as a first timer with time constraints it ain't so bad.
Personally I loved every minute. I met some fantastic people. The scenery in this section is beautiful. It is busy yes, but that can be avoided by leaving later in the day if that is what you prefer. I enjoyed the people. And the friendliness and the fact that (as cheesy as it sounds) in a world were people have become distant to one another, everyone came together, everyone could speak to one another if they wished. The willingness for people to help others was unreal. Basically the real world should take a leaf out of the Camino book. It's an experience I will never forget.
I completed my first Camino on 10th Sept from Sarria to Santiago and I can say with all honesty it was one of the best experiences of my life. I was apprehensive before leaving and even thinking of changing routes after reading a lot of negative opinions on this last 100km of the Camino Frances.
@trecile
Thank you! My husband and I are planning to do Sarria to Santiago next year and I was getting nervous also with all the "less than positive" comments about that section!
Even if you are a slow stroller?I recommend that people who will stop at Orisson not start early with the crowd that will be going all the way to Roncesvalles. Have a leisurely morning wandering the town and eating breakfast. Start around 11:00, you will still get to Orisson plenty early.
Yes! It is a surprisingly short distance with gentle uphill until the end. If you sniff every flower, it still will not take four hours. Most do it in just over two, and may find that is plenty for a first day..Even if you are a slow stroller?
Yes. Even if you can only walk one mile per hour/1.6 km per hour, you will be there by 4:00 pm. It's only 5 miles /8 kmEven if you are a slow stroller?
ThankI completed my first Camino on 10th Sept from Sarria to Santiago and I can say with all honesty it was one of the best experiences of my life. I was apprehensive before leaving and even thinking of changing routes after reading a lot of negative opinions on this last 100km of the Camino Frances. So this is just my experience for those walking their first and are put off. And before I offend anyone, now I've walked my first, I absolutely understand why any veterans wouldn't want to do that route again. But as a first timer with time constraints it ain't so bad.
Personally I loved every minute. I met some fantastic people. The scenery in this section is beautiful. It is busy yes, but that can be avoided by leaving later in the day if that is what you prefer. I enjoyed the people. And the friendliness and the fact that (as cheesy as it sounds) in a world were people have become distant to one another, everyone came together, everyone could speak to one another if they wished. The willingness for people to help others was unreal. Basically the real world should take a leaf out of the Camino book. It's an experience I will never forget.
I completed my first Camino on 10th Sept from Sarria to Santiago and I can say with all honesty it was one of the best experiences of my life. I was apprehensive before leaving and even thinking of changing routes after reading a lot of negative opinions on this last 100km of the Camino Frances. So this is just my experience for those walking their first and are put off. And before I offend anyone, now I've walked my first, I absolutely understand why any veterans wouldn't want to do that route again. But as a first timer with time constraints it ain't so bad.
Personally I loved every minute. I met some fantastic people. The scenery in this section is beautiful. It is busy yes, but that can be avoided by leaving later in the day if that is what you prefer. I enjoyed the people. And the friendliness and the fact that (as cheesy as it sounds) in a world were people have become distant to one another, everyone came together, everyone could speak to one another if they wished. The willingness for people to help others was unreal. Basically the real world should take a leaf out of the Camino book. It's an experience I will never forget.
You did not ask me, but bus, train, and taxi are the options. Where do you want to get from?how did you get to Sarria?
Im also a first timer , that has just finished the camino my honest opion !!!!!!I am delighted you enjoyed it!Congratulations on finishing
I thought you were starting September 15 from SJPdP? The Original Poster addressed starting in Sarria, and the pleasure s/he found. You clearly had a less pleasant experience, though quite as authentic. It is not for everyone, that is sure!Im also a first timer , that has just finished the camino my honest opion !!!!!!
i walked in my boots all the way got no blisters
Im also a first timer , that has just finished the camino my honest opion !!!!!!
Well i dont want to upest the veterans or anyone else thinking about or doing this
This was the the worst thing i have done , its over priced, over rated , tourist trap
I nave traveled all over spain , but for a sentimental reason i choose to walk the camino
It did not enlighten me i felt all it was doing was crushing my spirit,
There us nothing nice about head down march on 7 mile + a day for what to get a bed if your quick !!! Or pay more or walk on to next town ,
I would go on but i can sense the fury ,,
As for starting in sjdp , please make people more aware how realy hard it is walking to orrisson .
Its not a walk in the park sorry ill go on
I was booked into orrisson but was sent down to kayola to sleep then go back up for food i was shattered no one gave a dam comaderie????????
The following morning i decieded to walk back down to SJDP because roncevelles was fully booked and take the bus to burgette, my husband said hello bon camino etc to about 50 people got plenty of grunts small handfull reciprocated
As i walked down i was looking a the faces of people walking up somewith so much pain all can say is why ? Why put yourself through it its more a test if endurence there has been one heart attack how many more will there be ,
Yes send bags on €4-12 a day it adds up ok if you have lots of money
I struggled no one came to our aid i carried my rucksack some one walking said to me people should not judge when your not carrying you bag , but then also have compasion for those that do and dont walk as fast !!!
We dont get the hot water
Beds are dearer
Nasty blankets
Some bloody misreable refuge owners
The only thing i can laugh about is i walked in my boots all the way got no blisters
Sorry if it offends anyone but thers the truth Bon Camino xxx
We started earlier than we planed walked all the way i took my mums remains to santiagoI am certainly not offended by your comments (and I very much doubt anyone else will be), just sorry you didn’t enjoy it. Thank you for sharing though, it just goes to show walking the Camino isn’t for everyone!
Where did you get to in the end?
PS: One good thing is you didn’t have blisters
Thank you falcon started earler circumstances allowedI thought you were starting September 15 from SJPdP? The Original Poster addressed starting in Sarria, and the pleasure s/he found. You clearly had a less pleasant experience, though quite as authentic. It is not for everyone, that is sure!
Dommgee l like your qouteI am certainly not offended by your comments (and I very much doubt anyone else will be), just sorry you didn’t enjoy it. Thank you for sharing though, it just goes to show walking the Camino isn’t for everyone!
Where did you get to in the end?
PS: One good thing is you didn’t have blisters
That was my first also, now you try another which I think you will find even more exciting. I will try for my third this March and looking forward to a great adventure. Glad you had a good time.I completed my first Camino on 10th Sept from Sarria to Santiago and I can say with all honesty it was one of the best experiences of my life. I was apprehensive before leaving and even thinking of changing routes after reading a lot of negative opinions on this last 100km of the Camino Frances. So this is just my experience for those walking their first and are put off. And before I offend anyone, now I've walked my first, I absolutely understand why any veterans wouldn't want to do that route again. But as a first timer with time constraints it ain't so bad.
Personally I loved every minute. I met some fantastic people. The scenery in this section is beautiful. It is busy yes, but that can be avoided by leaving later in the day if that is what you prefer. I enjoyed the people. And the friendliness and the fact that (as cheesy as it sounds) in a world were people have become distant to one another, everyone came together, everyone could speak to one another if they wished. The willingness for people to help others was unreal. Basically the real world should take a leaf out of the Camino book. It's an experience I will never forget.
I didn't think of that but you are right. The way we see the final 100km is very different based on where we start the walk. For a first-timer who has no prior impressions, I would say don't be hesitant to start from Sarria.I think that your post makes the point very well that peoples' perception of "crowded" is relative and depends very much on their prior experience of walking the Caminos. For someone who has just walked from SJPDP or Pamplona meeting others every 10 minutes or so may well seem like a lot of people on the path. On my first Camino Frances I met perhaps 30 pilgrims in total between SJPDP and Santiago and I sometimes walked for several days without seeing another pilgrim.
The Spanish PostOffice offers the service of sending luggage along the camino https://www.elcaminoconcorreos.com/en/rucksack-transferThank you for your post Cbok82 as I am walking the same route in 3 weeks time and it is also my first Camino. I am really looking forward to it and hope that it will inspire me to do it again next year.
I am travelling with friends and we are not planning to book accommodation, preferring to see how we feel each day...large hostel room or possibly a guesthouse? Any advise?
We also want to send our backpacks ahead each day (for various reasons). Can we do this if we don't have a reservation but know what town we are heading to?
And finally, has anyone got any ideas of what the weather might be like?
Thank you in anticipation and I totally agree that people should do the Camino their way...I can't wait to get started!
We'll be arriving in Santiago and were planning to take a bus to Sarria. Have heard that there were more bus options from airport vs. Santiago bus station and that's what we're trying to figure out. We'll be in Santiago centerYou did not ask me, but bus, train, and taxi are the options. Where do you want to get from?
I have now walked all or part of the section between Sarria and Santiago three times now. The first couple were in early April and I never understood why some of the veterans on this forum had negative opinions of this stretch as in early April my wife and and I had never found it particularly busy.
Now I know. When we joined the Frances at Melide from our Primitivo last Saturday afternoon, after the tranquility of the Pimitivo, the sure number of walkers and bikers was a shock. Literally a dust cloud from the numbers on the trail.
Yes. Even if you can only walk one mile per hour/1.6 km per hour, you will be there by 4:00 pm. It's only 5 miles /8 km
Im also a first timer , that has just finished the camino my honest opion !!!!!!
Well i dont want to upest the veterans or anyone else thinking about or doing this
This was the the worst thing i have done , its over priced, over rated , tourist trap
I nave traveled all over spain , but for a sentimental reason i choose to walk the camino
It did not enlighten me i felt all it was doing was crushing my spirit,
There us nothing nice about head down march on 7 mile + a day for what to get a bed if your quick !!! Or pay more or walk on to next town ,
I would go on but i can sense the fury ,,
As for starting in sjdp , please make people more aware how realy hard it is walking to orrisson .
Its not a walk in the park sorry ill go on
I was booked into orrisson but was sent down to kayola to sleep then go back up for food i was shattered no one gave a dam comaderie????????
The following morning i decieded to walk back down to SJDP because roncevelles was fully booked and take the bus to burgette, my husband said hello bon camino etc to about 50 people got plenty of grunts small handfull reciprocated
As i walked down i was looking a the faces of people walking up somewith so much pain all can say is why ? Why put yourself through it its more a test if endurence there has been one heart attack how many more will there be ,
Yes send bags on €4-12 a day it adds up ok if you have lots of money
I struggled no one came to our aid i carried my rucksack some one walking said to me people should not judge when your not carrying you bag , but then also have compasion for those that do and dont walk as fast !!!
We dont get the hot water
Beds are dearer
Nasty blankets
Some bloody misreable refuge owners
The only thing i can laugh about is i walked in my boots all the way got no blisters
Sorry if it offends anyone but thers the truth Bon Camino xxx
Im also a first timer , that has just finished the camino my honest opion !!!!!!
Well i dont want to upest the veterans or anyone else thinking about or doing this
This was the the worst thing i have done , its over priced, over rated , tourist trap
I nave traveled all over spain , but for a sentimental reason i choose to walk the camino
It did not enlighten me i felt all it was doing was crushing my spirit,
There us nothing nice about head down march on 7 mile + a day for what to get a bed if your quick !!! Or pay more or walk on to next town ,
I would go on but i can sense the fury ,,
As for starting in sjdp , please make people more aware how realy hard it is walking to orrisson .
Its not a walk in the park sorry ill go on
I was booked into orrisson but was sent down to kayola to sleep then go back up for food i was shattered no one gave a dam comaderie????????
The following morning i decieded to walk back down to SJDP because roncevelles was fully booked and take the bus to burgette, my husband said hello bon camino etc to about 50 people got plenty of grunts small handfull reciprocated
As i walked down i was looking a the faces of people walking up somewith so much pain all can say is why ? Why put yourself through it its more a test if endurence there has been one heart attack how many more will there be ,
Yes send bags on €4-12 a day it adds up ok if you have lots of money
I struggled no one came to our aid i carried my rucksack some one walking said to me people should not judge when your not carrying you bag , but then also have compasion for those that do and dont walk as fast !!!
We dont get the hot water
Beds are dearer
Nasty blankets
Some bloody misreable refuge owners
The only thing i can laugh about is i walked in my boots all the way got no blisters
Sorry if it offends anyone but thers the truth Bon Camino xxx
It's a tough hike...that is for sure. I had just about every emotion, but fun...it wasn't fun. I did find a lot of great and beautiful acts of kindness each and every day and I'll always appreciate that. I'm sorry it wasn't better for you
Im also a first timer , that has just finished the camino my honest opion !!!!!!
Well i dont want to upest the veterans or anyone else thinking about or doing this
This was the the worst thing i have done , its over priced, over rated , tourist trap
I nave traveled all over spain , but for a sentimental reason i choose to walk the camino
It did not enlighten me i felt all it was doing was crushing my spirit,
There us nothing nice about head down march on 7 mile + a day for what to get a bed if your quick !!! Or pay more or walk on to next town ,
I would go on but i can sense the fury ,,
As for starting in sjdp , please make people more aware how realy hard it is walking to orrisson .
Its not a walk in the park sorry ill go on
I was booked into orrisson but was sent down to kayola to sleep then go back up for food i was shattered no one gave a dam comaderie????????
The following morning i decieded to walk back down to SJDP because roncevelles was fully booked and take the bus to burgette, my husband said hello bon camino etc to about 50 people got plenty of grunts small handfull reciprocated
As i walked down i was looking a the faces of people walking up somewith so much pain all can say is why ? Why put yourself through it its more a test if endurence there has been one heart attack how many more will there be ,
Yes send bags on €4-12 a day it adds up ok if you have lots of money
I struggled no one came to our aid i carried my rucksack some one walking said to me people should not judge when your not carrying you bag , but then also have compasion for those that do and dont walk as fast !!!
We dont get the hot water
Beds are dearer
Nasty blankets
Some bloody misreable refuge owners
The only thing i can laugh about is i walked in my boots all the way got no blisters
Sorry if it offends anyone but thers the truth Bon Camino xxx
Very well put ! For me it was about challenging myself at my later age and meeting people , seeing Spain's countryside and enjoying the freedom of movement . I went on to live in southern Spain for a period of time directly after my camino . What did Fluffy expect when crossing the Pyrenees , walking the central plains and joining the more crowded groups in Sarria ? Good weather is not guaranteed but " the challenges " are . The fact that I check in here every Saturday shows the Camino still affects me .Hi @Fluffy
Your post got me thinking. The mark of a good post
I was thinking about why people might not find what they expect in walking the Camino.
Or like you did, and articulated above, just really didn't get what you expected at all.
Could it be? Just possibly?
That the Camino has nothing to do with walking?
OK, that will sound strange. But people often ask me if I enjoy hiking. "Hmmm. Not that much".
or
Do you Hike in other areas of the World? "No. For me, I don't really see any point in it"
You must be very fit! "No, I'm not, at all......."
For me at least,the Camino really doesn't have much at all to do with hiking / walking.
The walking is purely the 'vehicle' that is used to experience the Camino. It's an emotional and spiritual journey rather than a physical one.
Maybe that doesn't make sense. But it could explain why some people don't 'enjoy' it perhaps.
They are expecting to 'enjoy' a long walk........... But it ain't about the walk
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