Sam Hardman
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2006, 2007 Camino Francés
2017 SJPdP - Belorado
2018 SJPdP - Fisterra/Muxía
2019 Camino Primitivo
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"The majority of pilgrims will have committed to travel the whole route by foot, which is highly commendable but others have different time and physical constraints. If the idea of taking public transport seems like heresy it might be useful to ask ourselves - why not?"
Haha! It wouldn't surprise me. A lot of people looked like they's had enough that day! The funny thing is I find the hard days some of the most rewarding, it just doesn't feel that way until it's over.Hahaha, cute.
Someone with a guilty conscience looking for company?
I completely understand. My first ever experience of the Camino was cycling back in 2006. On that trip I got sick for one day and had to take a taxi 15 km. I was so annoyed about it afterwards that I went back the following year and did it all.I wish that Brierley would remove that from his book. I fell for that on my first camino because I was suffering from every foot ailment known to peregrinos. Sitting on the bus watching the walking peregrinos I realized that for me it was a mistake. That is why my second camino began in the unlikely place of Mansilla de las Mulas, I had unfinished business. The second time around I walked every step including the rocky path down from Cruz de Ferro. It was a lesson for me, I could do it.
The walk into and out of Leon is really not so unpleasant, life does not have to be perfect.
That’s called Type 2 Fun. Some of my most treasured memories fall into that category,Haha! It wouldn't surprise me. A lot of people looked like they's had enough that day! The funny thing is I find the hard days some of the most rewarding, it just doesn't feel that way until it's over.
Maybe perversely, I really like the walk into and out of Leon. I’ve done it a few times now, so it might be familiarity, but that slow climb through the outbound suburbs always makes me happy, even now then the “one wee drink at the parador” isn’t an option. One day, just to try it, I’ll take the bus...but it wasn’t this year.I wish that Brierley would remove that from his book. I fell for that on my first camino because I was suffering from every foot ailment known to peregrinos. Sitting on the bus watching the walking peregrinos I realized that for me it was a mistake. That is why my second camino began in the unlikely place of Mansilla de las Mulas, I had unfinished business. The second time around I walked every step including the rocky path down from Cruz de Ferro. It was a lesson for me, I could do it.
The walk into and out of Leon is really not so unpleasant, life does not have to be perfect.
Type 2 fun is a very apt way of describing it! The whole walk into Leon was one of the most memorable of my trip and if I could go back I wouldn‘t change a thing.That’s called Type 2 Fun. Some of my most treasured memories fall into that category,
I completely agree with this. I don‘t and didn‘t judge anyone for taking the bus or any other form of transport. Everyone has to make the decisions that are right for them and everyone‘s Camino is personal. I totally respect thatAs always, every pilgrim does their own Camino. I am reminded that, even in medieval times, if a farmer came along in a donkey cart, and offered a pilgrim a ride to the next village, no harm would have been done to accept the ride.Nothing has really changed over more than one thousand years...
I have used buses and taxis at times when time, energy, health, or compete and utter ennui have stepped in and said that I have two choices: (1) end my Camino here and now, or (2) take a break, give myself a hand, and get a ride to the next planned stop.
After six Caminos, I realize that I have time, and I have adequate treasure. What I am beginning to run short of is physical stamina and good health. I also suffer from depression. Needs must...
If there is a will to finish a Camino, there is always a method to use. I do not judge what others do. In return, I expect the same consideration.
Over time, I have learned many, many lessons, suffered many a 'boo-boo,' required medical intervention, endured many days with my "black dog" chasing me (the WInston Churchill 'black dog' of depression...NOT a real dog), and managed to persevere. THAT is my Camino. Yours may vary according to many variables. There is no single Camino performance model.
The vow I made to myself was to continue to do Camino until I was physically unable to do so, even with mechanical assistance. Even then, Plan B is to increase my volunteer activities.
It's all good...
Hope this helps.
If I‘d seen any donkey carts I would have taken the ride dor sure. More fun than the bus!How many donkey carts have you seen offering rides to peregrinos? That would be fun except that it is not air conditioned in the summer!
MehWhoever wrote that tidbit of graffiti knows how to do it well
Around Leon, I have no problems with the bus. Walked out of there once, after that, I took the bus to Virgen and no pangs of conscience. I dont know what it is about that town but unlike others, I cant stand the place and the quicker I can get out of it the better. The walk up those city streets and industrial areas is soul destroyingI'm not one to condone graffiti on the Camino but this was very subtle and made me smile on an otherwise miserable day. I was walking from El Burgo Ranero to Leon and left the albergue before dawn as I had a long way to walk. Ten minutes after setting off I see lightening flashes all around me and know rain is coming. By the time I reached Mansilla de las Mulas the rain had become a torrential downpour and I was cold and wet and trying to shelter under the eaves of a cafe.
While waiting in vain for the rain to stop I looked down and saw the painted sign to the bus station where I could easily have taken a bus straight into Leon. On the sign someone had written "Brierley said it's okay pg. 175". Sure enough, of page 175 of the Brierley guide he says
I didn't do it, but I was never more tempted to take the bus than at this point!
That first paragraph is exactly what I was thinking.As always, every pilgrim does their own Camino. I am reminded that, even in medieval times, if a farmer came along in a donkey cart, and offered a pilgrim a ride to the next village, no harm would have been done to accept the ride.Nothing has really changed over more than one thousand years...
I have used buses and taxis at times when time, energy, health, or compete and utter ennui have stepped in and said that I have two choices: (1) end my Camino here and now, or (2) take a break, give myself a hand, and get a ride to the next planned stop.
After six Caminos, I realize that I have time, and I have adequate treasure. What I am beginning to run short of is physical stamina and good health. I also suffer from depression. Needs must...
If there is a will to finish a Camino, there is always a method to use. I do not judge what others do. In return, I expect the same consideration.
Over time, I have learned many, many lessons, suffered many a 'boo-boo,' required medical intervention, endured many days with my "black dog" chasing me (the WInston Churchill 'black dog' of depression...NOT a real dog), and managed to persevere. THAT is my Camino. Yours may vary according to many variables. There is no single Camino performance model.
The vow I made to myself was to continue to do Camino until I was physically unable to do so, even with mechanical assistance. Even then, Plan B is to increase my volunteer activities.
It's all good...
Hope this helps.
Hmmm. I quite enjoyed it. More than once - without incurring inner damage.Walked out of there once, after that, I took the bus to Virgen and no pangs of conscience. I dont know what it is about that town but unlike others, I cant stand the place and the quicker I can get out of it the better. The walk up those city streets and industrial areas is soul destroying
And fair enough too. But the double-edged sword here is that all advice and or opinion can thus be disregarded, on the basis that personal experience is paramount. We would consequently have a largely superfluous forum!Hmmm. I quite enjoyed it. More than once - without incurring inner damage.
So it's probably not Leon that's soul destroying but something else.
Perception is a funny thing, to be taken lightly.
So if you haven't walked yet, do take out nattering on about liking or disliking one way or another with a grain of salt - and see for yourself.
Haha! Well...And fair enough too. But the double-edged sword here is that all advice and or opinion can thus be disregarded, on the basis that personal experience is paramount. We would consequently have a largely superfluous forum!
I just realised that it was the walk into Leon that I bussed. (That is the section that Mr Brierley recommends be skipped). Sorry for the confusion. I must still be suffering delerium from the dehydration. I do remember a little of the walk out of Leon, particularly some troglodyte caves on a hillside, if that was indeed the place.Haha! Well...
There is advice based in fact, and advice based on opinion - and lots of practical questions to be asked that have nothing to do with the latter. I doubt the Forum is in any danger.
We would have less fun if we could not spout our opinions, though.
I was merely pointing out that to label something as 'soul destroying' is to just offer an opinion, not a fact.
Ms/Mr Shank must get very fit as s/he leads the pony on the many paths.I should have used Shank's pony.
As always, every pilgrim does their own Camino. I am reminded that, even in medieval times, if a farmer came along in a donkey cart, and offered a pilgrim a ride to the next village, no harm would have been done to accept the ride.Nothing has really changed over more than one thousand years...
I have used buses and taxis at times when time, energy, health, or compete and utter ennui have stepped in and said that I have two choices: (1) end my Camino here and now, or (2) take a break, give myself a hand, and get a ride to the next planned stop.
After six Caminos, I realize that I have time, and I have adequate treasure. What I am beginning to run short of is physical stamina and good health. I also suffer from depression. Needs must...
If there is a will to finish a Camino, there is always a method to use. I do not judge what others do. In return, I expect the same consideration.
Over time, I have learned many, many lessons, suffered many a 'boo-boo,' required medical intervention, endured many days with my "black dog" chasing me (the WInston Churchill 'black dog' of depression...NOT a real dog), and managed to persevere. THAT is my Camino. Yours may vary according to many variables. There is no single Camino performance model.
The vow I made to myself was to continue to do Camino until I was physically unable to do so, even with mechanical assistance. Even then, Plan B is to increase my volunteer activities.
It's all good...
Hope this helps.
...I love Leon: into, out of, and inside. I wish I were there right now, instead of home on my computer.
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