Walking with a Group-to stay or not to stay

[MariposaTraveler]

This may be a strange question, but I wanted to hear others experiences and thoughts on the matter. I came to the camino alone but I met and have been walking with the same group of pilgrims for the last week or so. They are amazing people but I feel like I may be missing out on meeting others because I am always with the same people. I could walk ahead of them one day because I am going to take a bus into Leon after walking tomorrow and skip the 18 km of industrial area and give my knee a break. I know this is a personal decision that I will have to contemplate for myself, but does anyone have any experience with this? Was it beneficial to stay with the same people or is moving on with the possibility of seeing them again down the road better.

 

[nidarosa]

A very personal decision, I agree. Here's what I did: I started the camino with an old friend, her feet got so bad she had to leave just before Leon, and suddenly I was alone. I then started thinking about my Camino as my companion. I did what my Camino wanted, my responsibility was first and foremost it and its was me. We got along great! Then when I met two wonderful women who had met on the camino I walked with them for almost two weeks. But in Melide, when they started planning how to divide the last kms into three walking days, I felt that my Camino wanted to walk faster and further and do it in two days. So I did. And we agreed to meet in the square when they came in the day after. No hard feelings, sometimes the Camino just wants different things. Follow your gut feeling.

 

[cher99840]

I moved on from a walking partner, not to meet others, but to have "alone time". The result was that I both enjoyed my time alone and met other interesting people too. The fact that you are thinking out loud about this probably suggests that it is time to make a change.

 

[Camembert]

What is more fun than many different encounters on the camino !

 

[PANO]

Be reminded that this is YOUR own, very personal camino, dedicate yourself to it; everything else is secondary.
Enjoy the company of fellow-peregrinos by all means but do not let it become an obligation. One of the magics of the camino is to meet so many diverse people from all over the world, shame to stick with your own and miss it; mingle!
Practically, most groups interrupt in Leon, some taking a rest, others indulge in the Parador, whatever, so chances are that your dilemma solves itself. Don't worry though, you'll meet them again. Ease yourself of any burden, It's YOUR camino. Enjoy it.

 

[Cam1952]

I agree with most of the comments made. YOUR Camino is just that. Sharing your Camino with others is a selfless act. I walked with a "family" and it was a wonderful experience. Had it not been for the specific people I met....this family would not have existed. There hasn't been a day since they haven't been in my mind.
Be open to the positive aspects others will contribute on your walk.......

 

[Mark Lee]

I always figured meeting a bunch of different people is one of the best parts of walking the Camino. On both of mine I took a day here and there off as I had no tight schedule. Naturally I met even more people. Some I still have contact with. Don't think about it too much. Take the bus to Leon and go with the flow.
cheers

 

[Leaningforward]

I walked in February/March 2014, when fewer pilgrims walked and most who did welcomed the opportunity to share time together. I created space or allowed distance when I felt my decisions about when, where, and how fast or long to walk were dependent on others -- but I sought solitude. Regardless, I still correspond on a regular basis with people I met and walked with at different times. No regrets.

 

[scruffy1]

Just think of the joyous reunion with your friends in Santiago! Besides you still have a good bit to get through and you will probably reconnect before then. Just let them know your concerns no reason to cause unpleasantness.

 

[Lois Lane]

I had a similar experience but made the decision to move ahead even though it was tough emotionally. The urge to walk my own camino was stronger than staying with the group. Buen Camino...

 

[Phillypilgrim]

It sounds as if there is a "natural" place for you to move on from your lovely group. Just be prepared to miss them a little. I felt like my Camino friend Maria and I "broke up" after we said our good-byes, ha!
I never did see her again, but we email still.