Phsew Omar! It really sounds as though you had a horrible experience on the
Camino Frances.
I walked from Roncesvalles to Santiago in 2002 and absolutely LOVED it.
Afterwards I felt that I hadn't learned enough about the history, architecture, folklore etc before I walked it so I went back and did the Via Turonensis in 2004 until Roncesvalles and then drove across the camino to Lugo. (On the VT we met three other pilgrims until we reached Ostabat and I felt as though I was a tourist with a backpack. No camaraderie, no sing-alongs in albergues, no sharing blister plasters!)
We then walked from Sarria to Santiago. It was the Holy Year and it was marvelous!! We met lots of wonderful pilgrims - some I am still in contact with today.
I went back and walked the CF all over again from Roncesvalles to Santiago last year. Never had to rush to get a bed, only slept on mattresses on the floor where there were no beds anyway (Tosantos, Granon, Manjarin - wonderful, unique places) and I enjoyed it even more than the other times.
There were many hours and many kms when we were completely alone on the trail but I loved the interaction with pilgrims in the cafe-bars and in the albergues. To me, it is the people you meet who make the camino such a magical experience.
An Australian spiritual writer said:
"It is an exhilarating paradox. You make your discovery of self in the company of others. Through someone else’s belief that you exist, and have a right to exist in your own way, you begin to find your solid ground within. From that place of inner reality you are able to reach out - perhaps even to forget yourself temporarily - to make contact with others. Being with others allows you to go on learning who you are. Feeling safe about who you are, you can afford to appreciate others’ differences, as well as the ways in which you are alike." (Stephanie Dowrick - an ordained Interfaith Minister)
I am planning on walking a different route next year but the
Camino Frances has a special place in my heart!