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Greetings all. I am starting my Camino in early July and have been SO SO excited over the past year planning and thinking and dreaming. A big goal for me on this walk is to have some serious solitary think time, but now with these recent safety warnings , as a woman by myself I'm worried about walking alone. Ugh! Pop! There goes my peace of mind bubble! Does anyone have any thoughts on this to help ease my mind and help me return to being more excited than worried about my trip?
Greetings all. I am starting my Camino in early July and have been SO SO excited over the past year planning and thinking and dreaming. A big goal for me on this walk is to have some serious solitary think time, but now with these recent safety warnings , as a woman by myself I'm worried about walking alone. Ugh! Pop! There goes my peace of mind bubble! Does anyone have any thoughts on this to help ease my mind and help me return to being more excited than worried about my trip?
If you are walking the VdlP it is very lonely. If you are walking the CF you should be absolutely fine. its like a superhighway. buen caminoGreetings all. I am starting my Camino in early July and have been SO SO excited over the past year planning and thinking and dreaming. A big goal for me on this walk is to have some serious solitary think time, but now with these recent safety warnings , as a woman by myself I'm worried about walking alone. Ugh! Pop! There goes my peace of mind bubble! Does anyone have any thoughts on this to help ease my mind and help me return to being more excited than worried about my trip?
Safe Camino to all of us
bubbles are always good to be popped - then one can deal with and experience reality.Greetings all. I am starting my Camino in early July and have been SO SO excited over the past year planning and thinking and dreaming. A big goal for me on this walk is to have some serious solitary think time, but now with these recent safety warnings , as a woman by myself I'm worried about walking alone. Ugh! Pop! There goes my peace of mind bubble! Does anyone have any thoughts on this to help ease my mind and help me return to being more excited than worried about my trip?
if you add your dates to the calendar you might find a walking partnerI've been reading this forum for a few weeks. I will be walking from Leon to Santiago de Compostela at the end of June for roughly 14-16 days. I have followed the posts on safety and women walking alone. Up until now, I've been fairly relaxed about the whole walk until the recent posts on the attacks on women. My logic tells me that walking this route at this time of year, it will be fairly full of people but I just wanted inquire if any one had any tips, suggestions etc for walking alone. Or if anyone is starting on June 28th from Leon...that's where I'm heading out! With thanks in anticipation...
Hello from Melbourne, Australia!Greetings all. I am starting my Camino in early July and have been SO SO excited over the past year planning and thinking and dreaming. A big goal for me on this walk is to have some serious solitary think time, but now with these recent safety warnings , as a woman by myself I'm worried about walking alone. Ugh! Pop! There goes my peace of mind bubble! Does anyone have any thoughts on this to help ease my mind and help me return to being more excited than worried about my trip?
Yes , DONT WALK ALONE ! It's not safe to walk alone . I have experienced an attempted sexual assault 6 th may 2015 while walking Coastal Portugese camino . It was terrifying , a guy jumping out of bushes , dragging me in , trying to rape me . Please , please don't walk alone .Greetings all. I am starting my Camino in early July and have been SO SO excited over the past year planning and thinking and dreaming. A big goal for me on this walk is to have some serious solitary think time, but now with these recent safety warnings , as a woman by myself I'm worried about walking alone. Ugh! Pop! There goes my peace of mind bubble! Does anyone have any thoughts on this to help ease my mind and help me return to being more excited than worried about my trip?
Greetings all. I am starting my Camino in early July and have been SO SO excited over the past year planning and thinking and dreaming. A big goal for me on this walk is to have some serious solitary think time, but now with these recent safety warnings , as a woman by myself I'm worried about walking alone. Ugh! Pop! There goes my peace of mind bubble! Does anyone have any thoughts on this to help ease my mind and help me return to being more excited than worried about my trip?
Hi! Thanks for the tip...these posts were really reassuring. Where is this calendar? I'm trying to find it and I cannot see if for looking...thanks again...If
if you add your dates to the calendar you might find a walking partner
Safe trip
Yes , DONT WALK ALONE ! It's not safe to walk alone . I have experienced an attempted sexual assault 6 th may 2015 while walking Coastal Portugese camino . It was terrifying , a guy jumping out of bushes , dragging me in , trying to rape me . Please , please don't walk alone .
First, don't listen to assurances of safety from men. We don't know anything about it!There goes my peace of mind bubble! Does anyone have any thoughts on this to help ease my mind and help me return to being more excited than worried about my trip?
@niefia zupancic : I hope you are able to easily find people to walk with in all areas. I'm going to walk the exact same route, so really anxious. Would be great if you could post pictures. In every picture I see it is always a lonely route and barely a soul around...I'm currently walking the Sarria to Santiago portion - as a solo walker I am very concerned about safety yet am using commen sense & trying to walk close to others when going through the wooded areas - this is easily accomplished since there are many pilgrims on the Camino - I also have stopped wearing my ear buds & considered buying pepper spray ( if it could find it) or even purchasing a small knife to use if need be. So far it has been a wonderful trip (except for the first day when my body hurt all over at the end of the day - LOL) I agree with the others on the post - walk with other pilgrims - all have been incredibly friendly.
Buen Camino
Niefia
First, don't listen to assurances of safety from men. We don't know anything about it!We get to be fearless because we are not subject to harassment or assault except for the "legitimate" robbery.
From the woman advisers, consider the practical advice that balances danger with peace of mind. Most of them have fended off unwanted approaches in bars and albergues, and flashers and assault on the path. I am in the school that thinks there likely is a killer stalking female pilgrims at the moment. This is an unprecedented escalation, and I think it is worthy of changing one's approach to walking alone until there is an arrest. If the law enforcement in the Astorga section is effective, the criminal will find another similar locale to continue. If there are two or more criminals, two women together may not be a deterrent, but it is better than being alone. As the old joke goes, "If we come upon a bear, you cannot outrun it." "If we come upon a bear, all I have to do is outrun you!"
Men still get to walk without fear. Women have lost that right for the moment. As a risk percentage, the danger is small, and you get to determine how you react. I wish it were otherwise (the risk, not the self-determination).
I know you are expressing an opinion, but I would say be a bit careful about it, especially with such strong a statement. As of this time I don't think it has been shown a homicide occurred. Theories and speculation are not facts.First, don't listen to assurances of safety from men. We don't know anything about it!We get to be fearless because we are not subject to harassment or assault except for the "legitimate" robbery.
From the woman advisers, consider the practical advice that balances danger with peace of mind. Most of them have fended off unwanted approaches in bars and albergues, and flashers and assault on the path. I am in the school that thinks there likely is a killer stalking female pilgrims at the moment. This is an unprecedented escalation, and I think it is worthy of changing one's approach to walking alone until there is an arrest. If the law enforcement in the Astorga section is effective, the criminal will find another similar locale to continue. If there are two or more criminals, two women together may not be a deterrent, but it is better than being alone. As the old joke goes, "If we come upon a bear, you cannot outrun it." "If we come upon a bear, all I have to do is outrun you!"
Men still get to walk without fear. Women have lost that right for the moment. As a risk percentage, the danger is small, and you get to determine how you react. I wish it were otherwise (the risk, not the self-determination).
Thank you @falcon269 for that sensible piece of advice. Here is my question, since this is crucial to my strategy. How well connected are the towns on the Camino Frances if I wanted to ride out one of my days? I'm sensibly chicken and if I don't find someone to walk with I won't think twice about taking a bus to the next town till the next day's walk when I will look for people to walk with again. (the need for achievement and meditation pales in comparison to the need to feel safe and happy).
Yeah it sucks but that's the way it rolls.
THAT was PERFECT! Thank you! "Without scared you won't have a chance to be brave." That is my new life mantra.I'm walking by myself in the beginning of July as well. I have the same thoughts as you do. I'm telling you this so you know you are not alone in how you feel. Reading your post makes me feel better because it lets me know that there is at least one other woman in the same boat. I heard a quote recently that made me feel better. I don't remember the quote verbatim but it was basically, "without scared you won't have a chance to be brave." I liked it because it reminded me that I am brave. That is a quality I love about myself and the quality that gives me the gumption to take a trip like this myself. It will be a once in a lifetime experience that many will never experience out of fear. You are brave. Your peace of mind bubbles pop from time to time but out of the popped bubbles comes the opportunity to remind yourself how brave you are and experience things that others only dream about. Go enjoy your Camino girl! We'll be fine
Thank you for those wise words and reminders. I live in the Middle East as well -- even had a mosque bombing yesterday in a nearby town (so sad) -- I should know better than to expect the Camino to be an "antiseptic stretch of path" -- you are so right! I have had it in a glorious virgin love bubble in my mind! HA! It's all good. I'm back to feeling very optimistic about the whole thing.bubbles are always good to be popped - then one can deal with and experience reality.
no one can provide you peace of mind. that's an inside job. only you can do it/are responsible for this. - in my experience, as a woman walker alone (as i was as well) that I felt more at ease on the camino than when i was walking / going grocery shopping in the middle east or in the states.
keep your common sense switched-on, be alert but not to give into the worry-mode of living life.
as others have mentioned and indicated as well: life has risks - the camino is not a anti-septic stretch of path in a vacuum somewhere.
hope that your worries won't tarnish or dampen your joy of the camino.
very best wishes - buen camino!
Happy to read you are filled with enthusiam again. (A fine word coming from greek roots...enthusiasm = filled with god) (or something like that)Thank you for those wise words and reminders. I live in the Middle East as well -- even had a mosque bombing yesterday in a nearby town (so sad) -- I should know better than to expect the Camino to be an "antiseptic stretch of path" -- you are so right! I have had it in a glorious virgin love bubble in my mind! HA! It's all good. I'm back to feeling very optimistic about the whole thing.
All or nothing? No compromise technique, such as being appropriately cautious? Go fearlessly or don't go? Give in to the fear?perhaps the Camino is not for you.
How many times have we been saying use common sense and be vigilent, but these posts keep comming up. If they do, it's because that message is not getting through, so yes, stay home, and hope no one shoots at you onthe way to Walmart.All or nothing? No compromise technique, such as being appropriately cautious? Go fearlessly or don't go?
In my opinion there is a world of difference in being appropriately cautious and in being fearful. I like to think that I am appropriately cautious in all my endeavors, but if I feel afraid, I do not participate.All or nothing? No compromise technique, such as being appropriately cautious? Go fearlessly or don't go?
Amen to that!I can't express how sad this discussion makes me feel. I have walked the Camino four times, most recently the VdlP from Salamanca in March where I never saw another pilgrim during the day until my last three days into Santiago. I was alone in the albergues for 16 nights out of 21 days. I loved the solitude as I have on my other off-season walks. I felt completely safe and was amazed at how helpful and kind all of the locals were. I am glad I didn't read any of these posts on my last Camino or I think I wouldn't have been in such a meditative state during my walk. It is hard not to acknowledge the very real fear in many of these posts, but I also feel it may be somewhat out of proportion to the actual threat.
One thing I took away from my last Camino was staying in the moment...we can't control the future. Fear of what could happen takes away our ability to enjoy and experience what we are actually doing and living at any given time. So I hope that all of the women will take the advise of the previous posters here and take precautions but let the fear go. Don't start your Camino in fear...start it in faith. I for one will walk the Camino again and alone (but I will probably add a whistle to my packing list).
Sad indeed. What started as reaching out for a little reassurance culminated in a post saying stay home and hope you don't get shot on the way to WalmartAmen to that!
Yes! Follow your heart! Walk the Camino!Sad indeed. What started as reaching out for a little reassurance culminated in a post saying stay home and hope you don't get shot on the way to WalmartThat seems like an extreme response and I shall let that one go. I have been reminded that the world is what it is -- in light and dark -- and I will take it all in, by myself, walking my Camino with joy and an open heart. I may be nervous at times, I may be strong at times, I may be mostly in between. I'll take it all as it comes. Can't wait!
There is no need to worry about being alone. I was solo now I am 5, since Day 1. You get a camino family. I am very happy to be hear in Zubiri right now. If you want to do the Camino, do the Camino and you will have no issue meeting others to walk with.Walking Sunday morning for week to Estella from St Jean, I'm shy by nature and too hope I can fall in with groups. I was in great spirits been optimistic and positive but the Irish newspapers carried reports of the story of Denise just yesterday, feels very fresh again!
Safe Camino to all of us
+1How many times have we been saying use common sense and be vigilent, but these posts keep comming up. If they do, it's because that message is not getting through, so yes, stay home, and hope no one shoots at you onthe way to Walmart.
For a male.walking the Camino alone is far, far, far safer than a zillion things you could think of doing in a group most anywhere else in the world.
Actually no, for a female too. Though the camino, like all things in life, is certainly more dangerous for a female than a male, it is still very safe for a solo woman to do. Statistically speaking, it is one of the safest things a woman can do. As my husband (whose account this is) has said before, he'd rather his daughter walk the camino alone than go down the streets of most U.S. cities with friends. And for what little it's worth (and it shouldn't matter) this is actually waveprof's wife writing this post, so I'm speaking as a woman. But that shouldn't matter at all. Many (too many) men aren't aware of the increase of dangers to women, they are oblivious to it, but gendering whose advice you should listen to based on blanket assumptions isn't helpful either. Meanwhile, some women seem guilty of the same obliviousness. Violence towards women isn't a women's problem, it is a human our problem. So don't limit where you choose to seek insight on the topic based solely on gender.For a male.
I really have no dog in this hunt. I feel perfectly safe. An abductor/murderer could be lurking around the next corner, and I would not be worried, whether in a group or not. It is just not a problem for me.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am sure it will help many of the women that have been concerned about going solo on the Camino. I know exactly what you mean about facing your own fears. The Camino is such an amazing and unique experience. It is sad that many of these posts are reinforcing unnecessary fears. We need more posts like yours...thank you!Hi HPalola,
I have just returned home from walking the same route, and I was scared also before I left - in fact I cried for three days beforehand! I wanted to go, but I was scared to go. My fears were not necessarily of being a female alone, but of travelling alone and being lonely, and being challenged etc etc.
I was mostly solitary on the walk, but that's what I wanted and I loved it! In fact, now I'm home I just really want to go again and do the entire route - and may do.
My own fears were more about breaking the mould, breaking out of my everyday world which was familiar, but was also killing me! The fear of not breaking the mould was greater than the fear of breaking the mould, and so I went - and so glad I did!
I don't know why it was said that if you have fear you should stay home, I think fear is kind of normal before you take a leap of faith, at least for most of us.
It's a beautiful walk. I got reminded of my deep love of nature, and even got to love walking in the rain every day! I didn't meet a hundred friends like many do, but I did meet a couple of soulmates - very familiar and similar to me. Something I didn't think I'd find!
We are all aware the bad things can happen anywhere and at any time, but I never felt the threat of those kind of bad things on the walk. The fears I felt were my own fears that I really wanted to conquer - social fears, insecurity fears, fears of facing my own internal self without the outside banter.
You won't regert it. I wish you a wonderful journey!!
HPaola, Inwas not trying to discourage about doing the Camino, far from it, but if you are going to be scared and this will make you anxious and myserable, because who am I to say "walk and you'll get over it". I do not beleive this is for everybody and do not think everybody will love it, even if I do. You are the only person who can determine your level,of comfort with what the Camino is, realising how safe it has bern and still is, as most oof us keep saying while taking into account your own limits. I for one feel safer in the mountains here than in a gas station in Michigan in the evening, but I skso know anything can happen to me in these glorious mountains as well, from falling dowm a ravine to being ambushed for my bank card or passport, but I can accept that. Perhaps you can as well, perhaps you cannot. Only you can decide.Sad indeed. What started as reaching out for a little reassurance culminated in a post saying stay home and hope you don't get shot on the way to WalmartThat seems like an extreme response and I shall let that one go. I have been reminded that the world is what it is -- in light and dark -- and I will take it all in, by myself, walking my Camino with joy and an open heart. I may be nervous at times, I may be strong at times, I may be mostly in between. I'll take it all as it comes. Can't wait!
Thank you for this post. Although, I am walking in a group I am the slowest and will always be behind. This has given me the courage that I need.I'm walking by myself in the beginning of July as well. I have the same thoughts as you do. I'm telling you this so you know you are not alone in how you feel. Reading your post makes me feel better because it lets me know that there is at least one other woman in the same boat. I heard a quote recently that made me feel better. I don't remember the quote verbatim but it was basically, "without scared you won't have a chance to be brave." I liked it because it reminded me that I am brave. That is a quality I love about myself and the quality that gives me the gumption to take a trip like this myself. It will be a once in a lifetime experience that many will never experience out of fear. You are brave. Your peace of mind bubbles pop from time to time but out of the popped bubbles comes the opportunity to remind yourself how brave you are and experience things that others only dream about. Go enjoy your Camino girl! We'll be fine
I've walked each Camino with herself. We are never to far apart and actually spend most of each day in our own solitude with our minds elsewhere. Besides Rosary and in Prayer and there was plenty of "solitary time". If you are concerned then tie up with other walker's, you find your peace of mind bubbles.Greetings all. I am starting my Camino in early July and have been SO SO excited over the past year planning and thinking and dreaming. A big goal for me on this walk is to have some serious solitary think time, but now with these recent safety warnings , as a woman by myself I'm worried about walking alone. Ugh! Pop! There goes my peace of mind bubble! Does anyone have any thoughts on this to help ease my mind and help me return to being more excited than worried about my trip?
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