Which "WAY" to go

I'd go fot the Via de la Plata. It is a different Camino experience. I live in Extremadura, an outstanding region of history, beauty and unspoiled nature. It was my first Camino.

ShellsG said:

I am torn. I walked the CF from Aug - Oct. 2015. I am planning another Camino and while I had it in my head it would be the CF again now I am torn between the CF and the VdlP. I have planned for next fall. I like aspects of both, I like the idea of doing the CF again partly (but not completely) because I bussed two sections and I feel guilty (honestly could not stand one more drop of rain) but the VdlP seems like a unique experience. So .... pro's and con's of each??

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I have walked 3 CFs before I walked the DdlP in May/June this year. It was a different experience that was challenging and required a good level of planning. In many cases there are long distances (35+ kms) between albergues,with often no opportunities for water or food in between. This is the "Way" less travelled with only small numbers of pilgrims compared to the CF. I walked the first 2 weeks alone and only met other pilgrims after reaching Salamanca. I don't regret walking this Camino and gained much from the experience but on occasions I felt intimidated by loneliness and the vast emptiness of the terrain.

I walked de VdlP last Gear in april May, my experience was a little bit different. There were two days longer than 30 km (the third day to Almaden de la Plata (34km)and the day to Canaveral ( 33km) It was not crowded on this Camino, but I surely wasn't alone, in fact in some places the albergues were complete and there was a "race for beds" I have a feeling that the la Plata way is quickly becoming more popular.
I liked IT very much, the landscapes and beautifull cities like Merida, Salamanca, Caceres, Zamora and Ourense

There's no absolute pros and cons: features become so through people's eyes...
Of course, there are many other different features to discuss! Landscapes (if you didn't like the Meseta, you may not like the VdlP...), distances (less accommodations on the VdlP, so sometimes, long unavoidable stages), "busy"ness (a lot less people than the CF), etc, etc.
But then, I think the main difference between the CF and the VdlP is somewhere else...

There is one thing in common with both ways: they are both Ways f Saint James and so, have that unique and mysterious quality that make of them more that just trailing paths of dust. This is what I'd call the "Camino feel", and you'll find it on either the CF or the VdlP.

However, each Way of Saint James expresses this quality in a different manner: they all have their own personalities, like living entities.
What many people call the "Camino feel", I call the personality of the CF: open, busy, loud, festive, a bit crazy, joyful, extroverted but still true, deep, intense and wise. A personality that is specific to this Camino and that is, imo, quite an "anomaly" among all the Caminos. Nothing negative here, just observing this Camino's personality is very unique compared to the ones of others Caminos, that have a lot more in common.
The personality of the VdlP is very different from the CF: fierce, though, austere, testing, quiet and yet proud, generous, caring, upright and whole. As a consequence, walking it is a very different experience as well: the VdlP is more confronting than the CF. While the CF "wraps up" its experience and its teaching in a joyful way, the VdlP kind of throws you to face yourself. Though love... but amazing experience!

So, no pros and cons... just 2 different potential guests to visit. Now the question is, which one appeals more to you?
Hint: ask your heart and intuition, then wait for their answer. That'll be the right one
One more thought here: somehow, somewhere... the answer's there already!

Buen Camino!

ShellsG said:

I am torn. I walked the CF from Aug - Oct. 2015. I am planning another Camino and while I had it in my head it would be the CF again now I am torn between the CF and the VdlP. I have planned for next fall. I like aspects of both, I like the idea of doing the CF again partly (but not completely) because I bussed two sections and I feel guilty (honestly could not stand one more drop of rain) but the VdlP seems like a unique experience. So .... pro's and con's of each??

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Finish the Frances ,
An extra week is;
Bus to Tui and walk Portuguese
Then walk to Muxia from SDC