However, newcomers, just starting out on their first camino
didn’t walk it 10 years ago
.
They are seeing it with fresh eyes.
The Camino Francés
has changed in the last 10 years. It is different.
And a lot of it is
so much better than 10 years ago. The infrastructure, the economy, the choice of accommodation, the beautiful new modern clean private albergues instead of the horrible old basic damp moldy cold refugios.
Times have changed.
For those who don’t like it, then take the cynicism and go walk somewhere else.
Jill
Jill, there is no cynicism. The OP asked for advice to pick between the Frances and the Norte. I explained what the pros and cons of each are for me. I said « if you liek a, b and c, then this one will be more up your alley, but if d, e and f are important to you, then opt for the other one ». Where is th cynism?
Then someone addressed how I might be able to find some of what I miss from the Frances, and I answered that post saying that having to avoid certain things, or make efforts to find others, is just not worth it to me, as there are gorgeous authentic routes that still offer what I like about a Spanish Camino and then some. Yes, things have changed, so have the routes I choose to walk. But that is not cynism, it’s a fact.
Now to answer yours, it not because one has not had the chance to walk the Frances 10 years ago that they necessarily will like the Frances today, or prefer it over the Norte. At least I have explained the differnce between both and why one may prefer one over the other.
Perhaps like me they will prefer peace and quiet, and the occasional, damp, authentic albergue, built by those who built the Camino hundreds of years ago, still managed by local volunteers who are passionate about the Camino, its history and meaning rather than the new, sterile, run by employees who don’t care about the Camino, its pilgrims, nor have walked it, but need a pay check. Ok, now that might be cynical.
These are two completely different routes, just as they were 10 years ago. One good for the social butterflies hoping to find a « Camino family », walk shorter distances, have their bags transported, lovely villages that embody the history of the Camino and who don’t mind not sampling delicous local specialties.
The other, a route for peace and quiet, long distance walking, contact with more Spaniards that North Americans and Australians, stunning ocean and mountain views, that rwquires physical effort but compensates by offering the opportunity to enjoy beautiful local delicacies.
No cynism. Just what it is.