Those grim Camino pictures - :)

[kfw]

While I appreciate the "unicorn and raInbow" nature of people's experiences on the Camino, reality can be somewhat different, at least from my experience and I have done nine.

I think it was day 42 of one of the longer Caminos and it was just before arriving in Santiago. Two days before, I had a bout of stomach flu and while I wasn't entirely up to snuff, I was determined to finish.

It didn't escape me that the Camino is a metaphor for life -

However, it was a tough slog and I was feeling less than stellar! In all honesty, I think I had lost the plot.

One of my Camino friends took this picture and in one of those amazing moments where photography captures more than the single frame, it captured my determination and probably my sense of defeat.

Rest assured, I made it and I had some celebratory beers -

 

[David]

Nice post but - hang on! What is this about unicorns? Are you suggesting that they aren't real? Crikey .. start there and next thing you know it is faeries, elves, and Santa Claus!!!

 

[Kiwi-family]

I have a blogpost full of such pictures....

Even the challenges…

…make amazing memories! W.E.T. A.N.D. C.O.L.D. L.O.N.G. S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T. R.O.A.D.S. (a bit boring, to be honest) N.O. B.E.D.S. M.O.R.E. W.E.T. (including THERMAL baths that wer…

charitywalking.wordpress.com

 

[scruffy1]

Boabdil's Revenge is a bad thing. Came down with bronchitis for a week once, a fever, couldn't breathe, tea with lemon and the hospitilare in El Burgo Ranero saw me through. The Camino is not a good place to be ill!

 

[t2andreo]

I have determined over the years and my several Caminos that, physical death aside, the worst thing that can befall any pilgrim while on a Camino is a gastrointestinal illness. Explanting that one has a "stomach flu" is about the most delicate way of saying one has the 'trots" as can be.

It is never a pleasant thing, even when one is at home in familiar circumstances. Besides the obvious inconvenience, discomfort and embarrassment, there is the ever lingering threat of dehydration. This is actually more serious than the obvious presentation of the problem.

If you contract one, from any source, the only wise thing you can do is get to a pharmacy then stay an extra day where you are for the medicine to take effect...if it will work at all. Plus, to stay hydrated, you should be stationary until the symptoms subside...

 

[Bodi]

I love that photo. It shows such determination! Buen Camino!

 

[PilgrimJames]

While I appreciate the "unicorn and raInbow" nature of people's experiences on the Camino, reality can be somewhat different, at least from my experience and I have done nine.

I think it was day 42 of one of the longer Caminos and it was just before arriving in Santiago. Two days before, I had a bout of stomach flu and while I wasn't entirely up to snuff, I was determined to finish.

It didn't escape me that the Camino is a metaphor for life -

However, it was a tough slog and I was feeling less than stellar! In all honesty, I think I had lost the plot.

One of my Camino friends took this picture and in one of those amazing moments where photography captures more than the single frame, it captured my determination and probably my sense of defeat.

Rest assured, I made it and I had some celebratory beers - View attachment 67011

A picture for life

 

[malingerer]

I have determined over the years and my several Caminos that, physical death aside, the worst thing that can befall any pilgrim while on a Camino is a gastrointestinal illness. Explanting that one has a "stomach flu" is about the most delicate way of saying one has the 'trots" as can be.

It is never a pleasant thing, even when one is at home in familiar circumstances. Besides the obvious inconvenience, discomfort and embarrassment, there is the ever lingering threat of dehydration. This is actually more serious than the obvious presentation of the problem.

If you contract one, from any source, the only wise thing you can do is get to a pharmacy then stay an extra day where you are for the medicine to take effect...if it will work at all. Plus, to stay hydrated, you should be stationary until the symptoms subside...

A great reason for being a great age and staying away from Albergues and getting a room for the night. One can have great fun practising one's Spanish for such occasions! My favourite is " tengo la cacas!" Try not to laugh more than 3 feet away from the lavvy!

Yours aye, the malingerer!

ps, always, ALWAYS, have the spare bog roll to hand !

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Nice post but - hang on! What is this about unicorns? Are you suggesting that they aren't real? Crikey .. start there and next thing you know it is faeries, elves, and Santa Claus!!!

And what about the Loch Ness monster... and shhh, King Arthur?

 

[RJM]

I honestly have had only wonderful times on all the Caminos I have done, and I have done many. That is why I keep doing them, lol . Not a single photo of the hundreds I have from the Camino show anything else.
Have I been cheated for not experiencing misery on the Camino?

 

[Kiwi-family]

I honestly have had only wonderful times on all the Caminos I have done, and I have done many. That is why I keep doing them, lol . Not a single photo of the hundreds I have from the Camino show anything else.
Have I been cheated for not experiencing misery on the Camino?

I look at ALL my photos with fondness but some of my friends don’t think they look wonderful!

 

[Deleted member 2518]

While I appreciate the "unicorn and raInbow" nature of people's experiences on the Camino, reality can be somewhat different, at least from my experience and I have done nine.

I think it was day 42 of one of the longer Caminos and it was just before arriving in Santiago. Two days before, I had a bout of stomach flu and while I wasn't entirely up to snuff, I was determined to finish.

It didn't escape me that the Camino is a metaphor for life -

However, it was a tough slog and I was feeling less than stellar! In all honesty, I think I had lost the plot.

One of my Camino friends took this picture and in one of those amazing moments where photography captures more than the single frame, it captured my determination and probably my sense of defeat.

Rest assured, I made it and I had some celebratory beers - View attachment 67011

 

[Deleted member 2518]

Looks like me on a good day.

 

[C clearly]

I look at ALL my photos with fondness but some of my friends don’t think they look wonderful!

That is true for me too. That is one reason I really don't particularly want to talk a lot about my caminos. I have no urge to "sell" others on the experience. You can usually tell within a minute or two whether they will "get" it or not. If not, I change the topic.

 

[Kiwi-family]

That is true for me too. That is one reason I really don't particularly want to talk a lot about my caminos. I have no urge to "sell" others on the experience. You can usually tell within a minute or two whether they will "get" it or not. If not, I change the topic.

I am by nature a very private person and I tend to err on the side of assuming people are not interested in my life! So it takes me by surprise when an acquaintance approaches me with a comment about my blog! I write primarily for family and friends, but have become increasingly aware that a few Camino forum addicts follow along;-)
I try to record my experience for what it is - like you, I don’t feel the need to convince people that THEY should do it. Actually that’s my philosophy for all of life! What works for me at this point may be of no benefit to the next person!

 

[mvanert]

Boabdil's Revenge is a bad thing. Came down with bronchitis for a week once, a fever, couldn't breathe, tea with lemon and the hospitilare in El Burgo Ranero saw me through. The Camino is not a good place to be ill!

I, too, was very ill on my first camino but was well cared for by kind folks in the albergue where I was staying. The Camino (and my sister) did provide!

 

[john newman]

A bad day on the Camino is better than a good day at work
(With apologies to fishers)

 

[DannyFox]

My first day on the Pyrenees. Boy, did I underestimate the training beforehand!