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That is likely to be an unmet expectation!I fully expect to be looked down upon and shunned
Ergo, check the experiences/purposes of other members/walkers when they walked a Camino during various times of the year(s) and plan your pilgrimage according to your conclusions.[....] the primary reason why I've switched to the less travelled caminos.[...]The distance we walk has absolutely nothing to do with anything else, most especially with the holiness of the purpose you have for walking a pilgrimage.
Like many others, I've had to make an effort sometimes to think charitable thoughts about the masses of humanity that flood the Camino from Sarria onwards. In fact, that is the primary reason why I've switched to the less travelled caminos. But my weeks as a volunteer in the pilgrims' office this past May showed me another side of that equation and humbled me.
I heard so many stories, and many came from people starting in Sarria. There was the mother of the 6 month old baby, whose doctor had prepared them for the infant's death soon after his birth. She vowed that if he lived till 6 months she would walk from Sarria. There she was, with husband and infant driving along to meet up so that she could nurse the child. Or the 92 year who had had the dream of walking the Camino for years and years, walking with his 60-something daughter. And then there were the friends of Juanito. On a Sunday morning at the very beginning of May, we heard the commotion of a loud boisterous group of teenagers outside the office. Bracing ourselves for another rude group of youngsters, in they came all wearing the same shirt, arriving in Santiago on the same day that their close friend Juanito had died one year earlier. His parents were with them, and as you might imagine, there were not too many dry eyes in the pilgrims' office. The distance we walk has absolutely nothing to do with anything else, most especially with the holiness of the purpose you have for walking a pilgrimage.
How do your students feel about that, dragging them off to an inauthentic camino?I now consider my Sarria pilgrimage as "inauthentic." I won't feel like a "true" pilgrim until I walk all the way from SJPDP.
Regarding my students, I'm taking my point of view about starting in Sarria as an inauthentic pilgrimage to the grave with me.How do your students feel about that, dragging them off to an inauthentic camino?
This thread--about walking the last 100 km from Sarria to Santiago--arouses mixed emotions in me. I'm a high school teacher. When I finally committed to walking The Camino, I recruited a dozen students to join me. We will be arriving in Spain, from Panama, during Easter Week of 2015. The reason I chose Sarria as our starting point was so that we can all earn a Compostela.
But then, as I started to research The Camino in earnest to prepare the group for the experience, I found myself becoming obsessed with starting The Camino at SJPDP. So now, I'm committed to walk The Camino twice. I will be walking the Camino Frances in the spring of 2016. As a result, I now consider my Sarria pilgrimage as "inauthentic." I won't feel like a "true" pilgrim until I walk all the way from SJPDP.
My first pilgrimage, with the students, will be a rehearsal for me, of sorts. But I suspect it will be a rehearsal for several of them. It would not surprise me to learn that sometime down the line a few also return to experience "The Long Walk."
In any event, the first time around I'll be with the noisy group starting in Sarria on March 27, 2015. The second time around, as a seasoned pilgrim, I hope not to be annoyed by the crowds joining me for the last 100 km.
I have seen dozens of youth groups. One group even cheered me up the hill to Portomarin and Ferramenteiro! They are fantastic pilgrims. They should litter a bit less, though.I love seeing all of the excitement and energy in these young folk. I'm sure it will be a wonderful pilgrimage for many of them too!
Regarding my students, I'm taking my point of view about starting in Sarria as an inauthentic pilgrimage to the grave with me.
Not me, for sure.Who are they cheating?
Short term walkers start from Sarria on Saturday or Sunday, so arrive in Santiago on Friday and Saturday. You are out of cycle with that phase, so peak traffic is behind you. Yesterday had the fewest Friday arrivals since April, so crowds have dissipated except for the weekend Sarria "hump."Can someone enlighten me as to why it appears that there are primarily long-term walkers right now.
Thanks, falcon. I wondered what effect, if any, this holiday weekend might have...Short term walkers start from Sarria on Saturday or Sunday, so arrive in Santiago on Friday and Saturday. You are out of cycle with that phase, so peak traffic is behind you. Yesterday had the fewest Friday arrivals since April, so crowds have dissipated except for the weekend Sarria "hump."
Buen camino.
.............. we had come from SJPP, they had "walked" from Sarria in the last 4 days. I greeted one lady who looked down her nose at my bedraggled self, I could not help noticing she was wearing mascara...
This thread--about walking the last 100 km from Sarria to Santiago--arouses mixed emotions in me. I'm a high school teacher. When I finally committed to walking The Camino, I recruited a dozen students to join me. We will be arriving in Spain, from Panama, during Easter Week of 2015. The reason I chose Sarria as our starting point was so that we can all earn a Compostela.
But then, as I started to research The Camino in earnest to prepare the group for the experience, I found myself becoming obsessed with starting The Camino at SJPDP. So now, I'm committed to walk The Camino twice. I will be walking the Camino Frances in the spring of 2016. As a result, I now consider my Sarria pilgrimage as "inauthentic." I won't feel like a "true" pilgrim until I walk all the way from SJPDP.
My first pilgrimage, with the students, will be a rehearsal for me, of sorts. But I suspect it will be a rehearsal for several of them. It would not surprise me to learn that sometime down the line a few also return to experience "The Long Walk."
In any event, the first time around I'll be with the noisy group starting in Sarria on March 27, 2015. The second time around, as a seasoned pilgrim, I hope not to be annoyed by the crowds joining me for the last 100 km.
It'll be a fantastic experience! There will be crowds, as usual during the Easter holiday period, but students are adaptable and that will be part of the fun.I'm a high school teacher. When I finally committed to walking The Camino, I recruited a dozen students to join me. We will be arriving in Spain, from Panama, during Easter Week of 2015. The reason I chose Sarria as our starting point was so that we can all earn a Compostela.[...]
In any event, the first time around I'll be with the noisy group starting in Sarria on March 27, 2015.
I am planning my first Camino from the USA. It cost $1,400 in travel to get there and only 15 days available for walking with another 3 ½ for travel. Decisions, decisions on where to start and how to do it. But my primary plan is to go from SJPDP to where ever I get. Hopefully near Sahagun for a train back to Madrid.
I hope to buy my airline tickets by tomorrow morning. After hours of research the decision came down to Madrid in and out. It is because, I found out that I may be totally scrapping my plans of doing the Camino from SJPDP that took me weeks to decide on the first place.
The reason is that one of the most important people in my life is consider doing the trip with me. He is a relative, godfather, mentor, religious support, best friend and more. I am as close to him as I could be with my own father.
At the age of 75 with double shoulder surgeries and a current battle with cancer, we will know if he can make it in more than ways than one next year in September. I have 15 days budgeted and the start of our walk will be based upon what can be handled together.
I would goes nose to nose in an instant with anyone that would say he is anything less than worthy or undeserving because the distance is shorter or that he does not carry a bundle on his back.
This forum is the great when it comes to support and energy and it is usually the choir’s ears that this falls on. I just wanted to share my story, if it helps in how others are judged on the Camino.
Walking the last 100 the right way is better than the ‘whole’ way, the wrong way.
Thanks Falcon. Currently I am walking solo. Walking the Camino with this person would truly be worthy.
Beautifully and completely said!Silvio, you may be deciding Saria is not authentic, and that SJPP port is. But then others will tell you that is only half of the Camino, that it starts in Puy en Velay, 750km behind. What will you do then? And then those who start in Israel, Denmark may also argue you are not a true pilgrim. Afterall, you are supposed to start walking from the moment you leave your home. Many of us would be swiming across oceans!
For kids in Spain, walking the last 100km is part of their curiculum, but furthermore, a tie to the country's history, to its geography, its religious tradition. What is wrong with that.
Many of the people on this forum want and walk longer distances to maximise the cost of a plain ticket from across the world. Does that make them worthier?
I have " gone out there" 4 times, only intending to reach Santiago once. Does that make me any less of a pilgrim? If you are a purist, and you believe the goal is to pray on Santiago's toomb then perhaps, but perhaps those who walk to walk and get many more blisters than I do are even lesser pilgrims.
The truth is that the 'rule', at the moment, is walk 100km. If you start playing the game of 'what is a true pilgrim", you might as well start making your way across the Altantic swiming. Now, if it's about your experience, your feet connecting to the ground, and making it count, start where life allows to start, and simply make that count.
And BTW, there is no need to "train'" for the Camino. Just put a foot in front of the other, and repete - tells you a person who is probably one of the heaviest to walk the Camino I have encountered.
Enjoy both journeys, they will each bring you much joy, for different reasons.
Just re- read my own comments, along with all others and two words jump out at me..... One is mine "worthless". The other "inauthentic".I haven't been on this forum site for a while......sure do get a lot of "opinions"!
I' ll bet the Camino Santiago would exist EVEN without all these incredibly worthless (mine too) postings.
Wouldn't the world be a better place if we just minded our own business....did our own thing and let others do theirs ???
Does anyone really care about "long walkers" or "short walkers" or about "The last 100 Km".
I don't know about any of you guys but I did my Camino for me......took life as it came....and returned home. Hell of an experience!!!!
There are a few times that I experienced a reality shock. The first time was after the weariness of the first few days of walking amassed and I understood the physicality of what I was doing.
The second time was at Puente la Reina when I joined the Camino Frances from the Camino Aragones. We went from seeing one or two pilgrims a day to having 100 roommates in an instant.
And the recurring one is the massive increase in the number of pilgrims at Sarria, pilgrims walking just the last 100 km in order to qualify for a compostela. Even though I expected it every time after the first camino, it always is an abrupt event.
Several threads have explored the attitude control it takes when suddenly confronted with a large number of pilgrims, many carrying only water, and all fresh as a daisy! It is useful for first time pilgrims to be aware of the last 100 km, because it will test your mental state in a way that it has not been tested since the beginning of your walk. If you suddenly find yourself frustrated and irritated, remember that the one thing that you can control is your attitude. Deal with any negative thoughts by challenging them with reality. Remind yourself of the elation you felt at the start, and remember that all the new pilgrims are feeling that same elation; remind yourself that your clothes were once clean!!
That last 100 km is different from any other 100 km, and takes some preparation. Don't let that last part diminish the first 650 km.
Hy , what you say is so True. Wish you both a Fantastic trip and a Buen Camino, Peter.I am planning my first Camino from the USA. It cost $1,400 in travel to get there and only 15 days available for walking with another 3 ½ for travel. Decisions, decisions on where to start and how to do it. But my primary plan is to go from SJPDP to where ever I get. Hopefully near Sahagun for a train back to Madrid.
I hope to buy my airline tickets by tomorrow morning. After hours of research the decision came down to Madrid in and out. It is because, I found out that I may be totally scrapping my plans of doing the Camino from SJPDP that took me weeks to decide on the first place.
The reason is that one of the most important people in my life is consider doing the trip with me. He is a relative, godfather, mentor, religious support, best friend and more. I am as close to him as I could be with my own father.
At the age of 75 with double shoulder surgeries and a current battle with cancer, we will know if he can make it in more than ways than one next year in September. I have 15 days budgeted and the start of our walk will be based upon what can be handled together.
I would goes nose to nose in an instant with anyone that would say he is anything less than worthy or undeserving because the distance is shorter or that he does not carry a bundle on his back.
This forum is the great when it comes to support and energy and it is usually the choir’s ears that this falls on. I just wanted to share my story, if it helps in how others are judged on the Camino.
Walking the last 100 the right way is better than the ‘whole’ way, the wrong way.
Very true, but it can be hard to be positive when you are having a bad day. I was lucky to have found a great walking companion who would give me a hard look and say 'now now Terry, behave yourself' when my frustrations would overflow. The only time he allowed himself to use the term 'touregrino' was at monte del gozo at the monument for Pope John Paul II. He stood there waiting for me to catch up and said 'look at this, the greatest touregrino of them all'There are a few times that I experienced a reality shock. The first time was after the weariness of the first few days of walking amassed and I understood the physicality of what I was doing.
The second time was at Puente la Reina when I joined the Camino Frances from the Camino Aragones. We went from seeing one or two pilgrims a day to having 100 roommates in an instant.
And the recurring one is the massive increase in the number of pilgrims at Sarria, pilgrims walking just the last 100 km in order to qualify for a compostela. Even though I expected it every time after the first camino, it always is an abrupt event.
Several threads have explored the attitude control it takes when suddenly confronted with a large number of pilgrims, many carrying only water, and all fresh as a daisy! It is useful for first time pilgrims to be aware of the last 100 km, because it will test your mental state in a way that it has not been tested since the beginning of your walk. If you suddenly find yourself frustrated and irritated, remember that the one thing that you can control is your attitude. Deal with any negative thoughts by challenging them with reality. Remind yourself of the elation you felt at the start, and remember that all the new pilgrims are feeling that same elation; remind yourself that your clothes were once clean!!
That last 100 km is different from any other 100 km, and takes some preparation. Don't let that last part diminish the first 650 km.
I remember bracing myself for the Sarria experience in 2012. I had started from St Jean in late May and knew to expect a massive influx from Sarria. It was something everyone I met along the way was aware of, and something which was spoken about more and more as we drew closer. I remember a friend and I wanted to 'short-circuit' the shock of it all somewhat by walking through Sarria itself and stopping for the night about 5kms on at Barbadelo. This way, we figured, we would be spared the trauma (!) of the mass flow of bodies from Sarria itself in the morning. It was a good plan as far as it went, but there is nowhere to hide once you pass Sarria. I still remember vividly the anxiety I felt the following morning at Barbadelo. It was early, before 7. Again, we thought we would stay ahead of what we expected to be a rolling wave of people. I stood outside the albergue for about 5 minutes, waiting for my friend to finish packing, and as I waited, I saw about 50 people go by in small groups. By the time my friend emerged and we began walking, a part of me felt that the Camino was over. And it was, in a sense. There's no doubting that the atmosphere and nature of the experience changes after Sarria, but it is what it is.
As you say, it is important not to be hostile towards people starting from Sarria, but there was a definitely a mild sense of 'us' and 'them' about it. Over the last few days of walking, new phrases crept into conversations, like "long walker" and "short walker" and "plastic pilgrim". Not always very flattering stuff, but it can be difficult to watch vans being loaded up with rucksacks and people walking with little or nothing on their back. I fully accept that many people have physical problems that legislate against carrying a heavy rucksack on their back and neither can you necessarily 'see' these problems as people stroll by, but it rankled with me a little bit when I would see people who appeared to be physically healthy walking with only the lightest of day-packs on their back.
Hmm... This is threatening to descend into a rant, which is not my intention!
Suffice it to say, for me and many I spoke to, there were two distinct parts to the Camino - pre-Sarria and post-Sarria, with the former regarded as far more enjoyable than the latter. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy the walk from Sarria, more that it felt very different from that point on.
Planning to walk the last 100km next week so decided to read this thread. OMG. How petty! Surly everyone has their own agenda for choosing to walk the Camino. There are some walkers who are getting a little bit self important....and it seems to be the longer walkers ha ha.
Hi Claire,you will have a great time.Planning to walk the last 100km next week so decided to read this thread. OMG. How petty! Surly everyone has their own agenda for choosing to walk the Camino. There are some walkers who are getting a little bit self important....and it seems to be the longer walkers ha ha.
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