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Social contact

R

rene beets

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
september oktober 2015
Last April 2016 I cycled route France. At that time there were not a lot of people cycling. I met a few other cyclist with one I had a nice contact and we cycled a few days together. It was not only my idea that there seems to be a sort of wall between the ones who are walking and cycling which made me feel lonely from time to time.
I recognise the same with watersport people who are sailing (I do) do not have a lot of contact with motorboat owners.
To have more contacts during my camino then my previous one I decided to walk the route North in April/May this year. Now I read somewhere that this route has less the camino feeling. I just like to meet people having lunch or diners with others and walks together. I am a sort of, I like my own bedroom type, mainly because I do not want to border others with snoring.

Is the route North a good choice or better do the route France but now walking.

I am looking forward to your reactions

regards, Rene
 
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If you are walking, it doesn't make a lot of sense to invest getting to know a cyclist because you are never going to see them again. However, if you see the same 40 or 50 people everyday walking, then it makes more sense to get to know them.
 
@rene beets if your desire is to meet more people, and have some companionship, and you also want to stay in non-albergue accommodation, then I could not recommend the Norte. We met very few other pilgrims on that route when we were not staying in albergues. If we had stayed in albergues it would have been very different.

In contrast, on the Camino Frances even staying in non-albergue accommodation there are plenty of other pilgrims and you are sure to meet and spend time with them.
 
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I second Kanga's response. On the Norte there are much fewer walkers than on the Frances and you basically walk alone during the day and catch up,at night in the albergues and can have dinner together. You are not likely to meet for cafe con leche or lunch on the Norte. So if on top,of that you stay in pensiones and not albergues you will really be on your own.

I would not worry about keeping others up with snoring: they should all have ear plugs. Plus, you will not be the only snorer.
 

Thank you very much for your information I keep it in mind
 

Thank you very much I start doubting to take route North but on route Frances I was happy to cycle because big parts were boring to go slow through
 
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Oh @rene beets the Camino Frances is anything but boring! You will find it very different walking to going by cycle. Apart from the wonderful friendships along the way, walking gives an intimate view of the landscape and allows you to take in the details. Also take the time to stop and look inside all the wonderful buildings along the way. Take yourself a copy of "The Road to Santiago; The Complete Cultural Handbook" by Gitlitz and Davidson - and read it as you go along each day. I have it on a Kindle App on my smartphone to save weight.
 
One advantage on the Camino Frances is the abundance of private accommodations at convenient locations. Many of the albergues have private rooms if you ask, so you can socialize with fellow pilgrims in the evening.
 
RobertS26 said:
If you are walking, it doesn't make a lot of sense to invest getting to know a cyclist because you are never going to see them again. However, if you see the same 40 or 50 people everyday walking, then it makes more sense to get to know them.
Click to expand...
i agree
 
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While I share your preference I will say this: All the people i'm still in touch with from the Camino I met in Shared accommodations. In some places it was really what drew a bunch of us together was how annoying it was to sleep there (i'm looking at you Najera...).
 
Hello Rene,
While my friend and I were walking the Norte in September, there was always someone to have coffe, lunch or dinner with on the route. We love the Norte for its variety of scenery, sea coast, farms ,towns. the albergues were clean and friendly. Buen camino,
Orford Girl
 
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