BeastofEast
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino in April, 2016
Hi folks!
First off, thank you so much for all the advice! These forums are fantastic!
I'm 28yo M who has done quite a bit of hiking in the Himalayas/Appalachian. Starting my first camino in early April, and was wondering which one to do (I have a little over a month).
On one hand, I've read from ya'll that the CF is the only one to do as a first timer. But going in April (and seeing your sheet that shows an increase in the number of pilgrims) and the fact that this is a holy year makes me hesitant. It'd be nice to have some time for solo reflection and be on my own (in addition to meeting people along the way)-- and I'd be fine with the long distances between albergues if it means a little more solitude. The reasons people have given for the CF>others have been the infrastructure/shorter distances, and it likely wouldn't be a big problem for me.
On the other hand, from what you guys have written, it seems as if I'd lose out on the fundamental "feeling" of the camino by not doing the Frances first-- that it is just THE path and how much more incredible its history/camraderie/feeling is. Due to my job being insane, it might be a long time before I can do anything like this again (possibly ever!) so I don't want to mess it up!
Or should I look in at starting either the CF/Norte and switching by going on a path through the Picos de Europa?
Thanks so much for the help and advice!
First off, thank you so much for all the advice! These forums are fantastic!
I'm 28yo M who has done quite a bit of hiking in the Himalayas/Appalachian. Starting my first camino in early April, and was wondering which one to do (I have a little over a month).
On one hand, I've read from ya'll that the CF is the only one to do as a first timer. But going in April (and seeing your sheet that shows an increase in the number of pilgrims) and the fact that this is a holy year makes me hesitant. It'd be nice to have some time for solo reflection and be on my own (in addition to meeting people along the way)-- and I'd be fine with the long distances between albergues if it means a little more solitude. The reasons people have given for the CF>others have been the infrastructure/shorter distances, and it likely wouldn't be a big problem for me.
On the other hand, from what you guys have written, it seems as if I'd lose out on the fundamental "feeling" of the camino by not doing the Frances first-- that it is just THE path and how much more incredible its history/camraderie/feeling is. Due to my job being insane, it might be a long time before I can do anything like this again (possibly ever!) so I don't want to mess it up!
Or should I look in at starting either the CF/Norte and switching by going on a path through the Picos de Europa?
Thanks so much for the help and advice!