howlsthunder
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Francés (2018)
Camino Francés (2020)
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No two Caminos are the same.the first time I walked the CF with my husband and another couple, the next time I walked by myself. Both trips have special memories and people. I am in no doubt that your experiences will be different but good and rewarding.After my first Camino last year (the CF) I am eager to walk again. I'm relatively young so I have time in my life to hopefully walk a variety of Caminos yet I find myself wondering how other pilgrims felt about their second time on the Frances?
The reason I will be walking the Frances a second time is because I want my sister to experience the Camino and she has chosen the Frances for her first walk. A small part of my mind, largely due to the comments of others here at home who have never walked a Camino, questions what I'll get out of walking the same path twice. But another part remembers how I felt as I was actually walking it, knowing there was much I missed that I'd love to see in the future. I also am aware that so many factors play a part in making any trip to the same location different from other trips (like, maybe next time the Camino won't be flooding the first two weeks!)
So! Any thoughts from pilgrims who have walked the Frances multiple times? Why did you walk it again and how did you feel about it?
I walked it in 2013 and again in 2016 and will walk it again in 2020 to celebrate my 75th birthday. The second time was far more relaxing because I knew what to expect and where to stop. For 2020 I am slowing down a little to enjoy the experience and the other pilgrims.After my first Camino last year (the CF) I am eager to walk again. I'm relatively young so I have time in my life to hopefully walk a variety of Caminos yet I find myself wondering how other pilgrims felt about their second time on the Frances?
The reason I will be walking the Frances a second time is because I want my sister to experience the Camino and she has chosen the Frances for her first walk. A small part of my mind, largely due to the comments of others here at home who have never walked a Camino, questions what I'll get out of walking the same path twice. But another part remembers how I felt as I was actually walking it, knowing there was much I missed that I'd love to see in the future. I also am aware that so many factors play a part in making any trip to the same location different from other trips (like, maybe next time the Camino won't be flooding the first two weeks!)
So! Any thoughts from pilgrims who have walked the Frances multiple times? Why did you walk it again and how did you feel about it?
What albergue summary??Has anyone got any idea when the next albergue summary will be posted.
Ah, thank you! I must've missed this post when I looked for info on this topic - I look forward to reading more thoughts!Check out what others have written re their second time or more in this earlier thread.
Hola @howlsthunder : What I trying to say is that you will be walking with your memories and experiences but for your sister it will be all new. So maybe you need to do some planing : agreeing to walk the first 4 or 5 days together but then separate but catch up at Burgos etc.
Even when you are walking "together" you will often find that on one day she walks faster and the next day your the speedy one.
Walking with another pilgrim for their first time has its own challenges. First, the most common is that their pace does not match your own. How will you deal with it? Another is being a silent observer - to allow them to discover their Camino for themselves; they may find their Camino in parts that were not your own.
Finding that balance between silence and friendly conversation and their discovery.
THIS^. One of the many lessons I learned on the Camino is what it REALLY means to slow down! I used to be a very fast hiker and I knew I'd need to slow down on the Camino. But my idea of slow and the actual definition of slow were two very different things and my body let me know with some good ol' tendonitis. I look forward to walking a Camino again but starting out with this knowledge.The second time was far more relaxing because I knew what to expect and where to stop. For 2020 I am slowing down a little to enjoy the experience and the other pilgrims.
So, my suggestion is to take a good number of detours and alternate routes. I like @trecile's idea of staying in new towns too.
other pilgrims felt about their second time on the Frances?
What albergue summary??
Perhaps the biggest difference was the sense of achievement in 2018 when we arrived at the Santiago Cathedral - something that was largely absent in 2017.
Why was that, if I may ask?
I am not sure what I would suggest - nothing really comes to mind (other than aforementioned brass band) but there did seem to be a bit of a sense of emptiness... Maybe the change from consecutive days of "walk, eat, sleep" to a day with no agenda?
What did change the second time was that I spent a bit more time in the square (Praza do Obradoiro?)
in front of the cathedral (along with many many other pilgrims, none of whom I recognised) basically savoring the moment... reflecting on the previous 40 days and what I and my travelling partner has seen and done.
I walked the CF 3 years ago and met up with my brother in Santiago. We walked together to Muxia and Finisterre.
As I was thinking about which Camino I wanted to walk next, I felt strongly called to walk the CF again. (I'm also the one who, when I've ordered a dish at a restaurant that I really liked, I keep ordering it again).
This time I'm walking from SJPP to Leon, meeting up with my brother, and walking with him on the Salvador and then the Primitivo to Santiago. I know, though, that a part of me will really miss walking from Leon to Santiago.
May you enjoy whatever Camino you decide to walk!
I don't think that it's common, but it's there if you want to try it.Is this a common bypass? From Leon to go Primitive to SdC? Interested in hearing about this because I have walked 2 partial CF and would like to do the full walk, but I don't want to some place to lose their magic because I've seen them so much.
Thanks,
Lynne
I'm returning this year. Although my travel philosophy has usually been not to repeat because there is so much to see and do around the world, and so little time. I just loved so much about it before and want to have more! And of course there will be so many places to visit that were missed the first time.After my first Camino last year (the CF) I am eager to walk again. I'm relatively young so I have time in my life to hopefully walk a variety of Caminos yet I find myself wondering how other pilgrims felt about their second time on the Frances?
The reason I will be walking the Frances a second time is because I want my sister to experience the Camino and she has chosen the Frances for her first walk. A small part of my mind, largely due to the comments of others here at home who have never walked a Camino, questions what I'll get out of walking the same path twice. But another part remembers how I felt as I was actually walking it, knowing there was much I missed that I'd love to see in the future. I also am aware that so many factors play a part in making any trip to the same location different from other trips (like, maybe next time the Camino won't be flooding the first two weeks!)
So! Any thoughts from pilgrims who have walked the Frances multiple times? Why did you walk it again and how did you feel about it?
A coomon mistake. Me too.When I got home from my first camino I realized I didn't pay close enough attention. I was looking to get to the destination more than enjoying the journey of getting there. This time I know I will have a much more "stay in the moment" approach. Buen Camino
I'm now remembering that although, like Bert, I had suggested alternative paths earlier if you took the river route into Burgos before do that again.I would suggest that you take the alternative routes that you didn't take on your first CF.
Thanks for sharing. I'm wondering what it'll be like for myself as I had a similar experience to your first Camino. For me I think I mostly just didn't want to be done. If you'd of told me I had to walk back to St. Jean I would have!
A friend of mine (from whom I learned about the Camino in the first place) had a similar experience on his first Camino. The front of the cathedral was completely covered in scaffolding and he was bummed that he couldn't enter through the front doors. Everything was just completely opposite of what he expected. After awhile he decided, I think like many of us do, that it was about the journey and this was just one more Camino lesson and he spent the rest of the day greeting pilgrims who entered the square and congratulating them for making it.
So I was prepared to be underwhelmed when I made it to Santiago. A bit after Sarria I was on my own but I made an effort to catch up to some good friends I made along the way. We were all apprehensive about the journey ending and I'm glad I made the effort to walk with them in the end and share the moment and find the good in it. We, too, sat in the square for a long time. I came back a couple more times to just sit and "be" and soak it in, though I really didn't get closure until I watched the sunset at Finisterre. It will be interesting to see how it is next time.
After my first Camino last year (the CF) I am eager to walk again. I'm relatively young so I have time in my life to hopefully walk a variety of Caminos yet I find myself wondering how other pilgrims felt about their second time on the Frances?
The reason I will be walking the Frances a second time is because I want my sister to experience the Camino and she has chosen the Frances for her first walk. A small part of my mind, largely due to the comments of others here at home who have never walked a Camino, questions what I'll get out of walking the same path twice. But another part remembers how I felt as I was actually walking it, knowing there was much I missed that I'd love to see in the future. I also am aware that so many factors play a part in making any trip to the same location different from other trips (like, maybe next time the Camino won't be flooding the first two weeks!)
So! Any thoughts from pilgrims who have walked the Frances multiple times? Why did you walk it again and how did you feel about it?
I walked only once, 2018, but met so many people who had been on their second, third, or more walks. I asked them exactly why. Why do the same thing twice?! The best answer: each time they take a slightly different route. They go at a different season, they stay at different places, and they meet an entirely new set of camino friends. Then i understood it more like any vacation where you go back to your fav hiking trail, beach, campground, etc year after year. In fact, i would love to do the CF again, if only i could get my sister to come along so i could share it with her!After my first Camino last year (the CF) I am eager to walk again. I'm relatively young so I have time in my life to hopefully walk a variety of Caminos yet I find myself wondering how other pilgrims felt about their second time on the Frances?
The reason I will be walking the Frances a second time is because I want my sister to experience the Camino and she has chosen the Frances for her first walk. A small part of my mind, largely due to the comments of others here at home who have never walked a Camino, questions what I'll get out of walking the same path twice. But another part remembers how I felt as I was actually walking it, knowing there was much I missed that I'd love to see in the future. I also am aware that so many factors play a part in making any trip to the same location different from other trips (like, maybe next time the Camino won't be flooding the first two weeks!)
So! Any thoughts from pilgrims who have walked the Frances multiple times? Why did you walk it again and how did you feel about it?
Good question - wish I knew the answer...
I was hoping for a brass band to welcome me to the end of CF 2017, but that didn't happen (gather they had a conflicting engagement). Seriously there seemed to be little in Santiago that marked the end of what was quite a momentous effort...
I am not sure what I would suggest - nothing really comes to mind (other than aforementioned brass band) but there did seem to be a bit of a sense of emptiness... Maybe the change from consecutive days of "walk, eat, sleep" to a day with no agenda?
What did change the second time was that I spent a bit more time in the square (Praza do Obradoiro?)
in front of the cathedral (along with many many other pilgrims, none of whom I recognised) basically savoring the moment... reflecting on the previous 40 days and what I and my travelling partner has seen and done.
If I do manage a CF (or CP) 2019 (or 2020), I will certainly be making a conscious effort to 'savor the moment' when I am able to drop my pack on front of the Cathedral and reflect on the journey.... The Pilgrim's Office and the Composetela can wait!
I might be able to go again - perhaps with a different mindset the next time-to enjoy each and every day for what if brings, to be more relaxed and actually savour each experience as it happens, not to be worried about getting to the end of each day and finding accommodation- just to let it happen.
Hi Les,
I am so glad that you shared this very personal experience with us all.
All this time I thought there must be something wrong with me as I wasn’t sure what to expect from ‘the end’, I only felt sad. Whilst sitting in the square beside the cathedral on our arrival, where we spent a couple of hours taking in the atmosphere and meeting many of the pilgrims that we had met along the way. There was a lot of crying, jumping up and down and happiness -I didn’t feel any of these emotions, I just felt empty and sad that it was over and reality waited for my return. Like you I was expecting ‘something’ (not a brass band) to happen on my arrival and was very disappointed. I did enjoy my experience, the whole pilgrim experience -the walking, meeting other pilgrims, the food, the masses etc and immediately started thinking about when I can I might be able to go again - perhaps with a different mindset the next time-to enjoy each and every day for what if brings, to be more relaxed and actually savour each experience as it happens, not to be worried about getting to the end of each day and finding accommodation- just to let it happen. Writing this I am certainly understanding what it means to live in the “NOW” which I never really got before, I’m alway thinking about what’s happening next!
So I thank you LesR and Howlsthunder for your posts, as reading and replying to them has helped me to understand that I am not alone in my feelings arriving in Santiago and how important it is to live in the NOW and how to achieve this!!!!
Penelope
Hi Les,
I am so glad that you shared this very personal experience with us all.
All this time I thought there must be something wrong with me as I wasn’t sure what to expect from ‘the end’, I only felt sad. Whilst sitting in the square beside the cathedral on our arrival, where we spent a couple of hours taking in the atmosphere and meeting many of the pilgrims that we had met along the way. There was a lot of crying, jumping up and down and happiness -I didn’t feel any of these emotions, I just felt empty and sad that it was over and reality waited for my return. Like you I was expecting ‘something’ (not a brass band) to happen on my arrival and was very disappointed. I did enjoy my experience, the whole pilgrim experience -the walking, meeting other pilgrims, the food, the masses etc and immediately started thinking about when I can I might be able to go again - perhaps with a different mindset the next time-to enjoy each and every day for what if brings, to be more relaxed and actually savour each experience as it happens, not to be worried about getting to the end of each day and finding accommodation- just to let it happen. Writing this I am certainly understanding what it means to live in the “NOW” which I never really got before, I’m alway thinking about what’s happening next!
So I thank you LesR and Howlsthunder for your posts, as reading and replying to them has helped me to understand that I am not alone in my feelings arriving in Santiago and how important it is to live in the NOW and how to achieve this!!!!
Penelope
The CF was my first back in September 2016. After the CF, I walked Portugal, both all in 9 weeks and then I was addicted. I went back 5 months later, March 2017 and walked VDLP and Portugal backwards and then September 2017, I walked the Northe and Madrid.After my first Camino last year (the CF) I am eager to walk again. I'm relatively young so I have time in my life to hopefully walk a variety of Caminos yet I find myself wondering how other pilgrims felt about their second time on the Frances?
The reason I will be walking the Frances a second time is because I want my sister to experience the Camino and she has chosen the Frances for her first walk. A small part of my mind, largely due to the comments of others here at home who have never walked a Camino, questions what I'll get out of walking the same path twice. But another part remembers how I felt as I was actually walking it, knowing there was much I missed that I'd love to see in the future. I also am aware that so many factors play a part in making any trip to the same location different from other trips (like, maybe next time the Camino won't be flooding the first two weeks!)
So! Any thoughts from pilgrims who have walked the Frances multiple times? Why did you walk it again and how did you feel about it?
I liked it better the second time. All the first time concerns and jitters were not there.After my first Camino last year (the CF) I am eager to walk again. I'm relatively young so I have time in my life to hopefully walk a variety of Caminos yet I find myself wondering how other pilgrims felt about their second time on the Frances?
The reason I will be walking the Frances a second time is because I want my sister to experience the Camino and she has chosen the Frances for her first walk. A small part of my mind, largely due to the comments of others here at home who have never walked a Camino, questions what I'll get out of walking the same path twice. But another part remembers how I felt as I was actually walking it, knowing there was much I missed that I'd love to see in the future. I also am aware that so many factors play a part in making any trip to the same location different from other trips (like, maybe next time the Camino won't be flooding the first two weeks!)
So! Any thoughts from pilgrims who have walked the Frances multiple times? Why did you walk it again and how did you feel about it?
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