“Disconnect on the Camino” project - walking without electronic devices

[Bradypus]

An article about a recent Camino journey by a group of young people and their supporters on the Camino Frances: "a novel activity where young people do not carry money, mobile phones or any type of electronic device while participating in it." "During the journey, various individual therapies and group talks about the harmful effects of new technologies among the youngest have been carried out. "

#Aspe: Llegan a Santiago los peregrinos del proyecto “Desconecta en el Camino” - Valle de las Uvas Aspe Noticias

13 personas han formado parte de esta iniciativa organizada por la Asociación de Amigos del Camino de Santiago de Aspe

valledelasuvas.es

 

[goldie from aus]

Very interesting, thought provoking even. Beautiful concept - freeing even, kids lives are so driven and haranged by technology. Only device when I was a young teenager was tv, radio and lps/tapes, omg. Just tossing it up there, what about using money. All the kids I work with don't use cash ever. Thanks for sharing

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I like the idea of showing anyone of any age they can live without electronica. Not so keen on the lecture part. I think just going without is plenty enough enlightenment.

 

[Robertb345]

I was wondering for myself if I should load up on some audio books for my phone to listen to while I walk. Or like this program, disconnect from electronics. I think this might be useful for all ages (I'm in my 60s), even though the portion of time using electronics is different for each individual.
I find many (not all) drivers and bikers with earbuds distracted. I imaging some hikers could experience the same, but being slower the impact of a collision can be less problematic.

 

[ken2116]

Bring a film camera. Letter paper and stamps. Sundial.

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

Bring a film camera. Letter paper and stamps. Sundial.

I appreciate all the cadences here.

 

[Philtration]

I was wondering for myself if I should load up on some audio books for my phone to listen to while I walk. Or like this program, disconnect from electronics. I think this might be useful for all ages (I'm in my 60s), even though the portion of time using electronics is different for each individual.
I find many (not all) drivers and bikers with earbuds distracted. I imaging some hikers could experience the same, but being slower the impact of a collision can be less problematic.

I listen to books quite a bit. However, when I want to enjoy a beautiful sight or think something through, books are a distraction. Personally, I think being distracted by a book would take time away from contemplating the walking experience and from being open to new people. Maybe after a day walking, lying on my bed waiting for the restaurant to open.

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

I listen to books quite a bit. However, when I want to enjoy a beautiful sight or think something through, books are a distraction. Personally, I think being distracted by a book would take time away from contemplating the walking experience and from being open to new people. Maybe after a day walking, lying on my bed waiting for the restaurant to open.

I also listen to books quite a bit. Good solution to ocular migraines. But I concur about them being a distraction if I’m walking in an intentional way. I listen on my way to and from work or errands, or while doing house-work…. But I don’t listen if I’m taking one of my purposeful local walks (ugly and urban or pastoral and bucolic… does not matter).
I’ve never used an audio book while resting at day’s end on camino… mostly because I’ve felt my mind elsewhere. BUT… I do listen on my very long-haul flights.
I think there’s a balance… and it sure beats carting around even a “light” paperback.

 

[Robertb345]

I also listen to books quite a bit. Good solution to ocular migraines. But I concur about them being a distraction if I’m walking in an intentional way. I listen on my way to and from work or errands, or while doing house-work…. But I don’t listen if I’m taking one of my purposeful local walks (ugly and urban or pastoral and bucolic… does not matter).
I’ve never used an audio book while resting at day’s end on camino… mostly because I’ve felt my mind elsewhere. BUT… I do listen on my very long-haul flights.
I think there’s a balance… and it sure beats carting around even a “light” paperback.

I agree with Philtration and yourself. I think I'll skip them on the hike and just on the flights over. I was intending to use audio (books and spanish language) while doing my training at home since I go over the same path a lot and I'm not contemplating the type of thoughts I expect to when on the Camino. I know I'm overthinking it, but to original topic about kids tuning out distractions and doing the Camino resonated with why I was thinking about it.

 

[Silencio Por Favor]

An article about a recent Camino journey by a group of young people and their supporters on the Camino Frances: "a novel activity where young people do not carry money, mobile phones or any type of electronic device while participating in it." "During the journey, various individual therapies and group talks about the harmful effects of new technologies among the youngest have been carried out. "

#Aspe: Llegan a Santiago los peregrinos del proyecto “Desconecta en el Camino” - Valle de las Uvas Aspe Noticias

13 personas han formado parte de esta iniciativa organizada por la Asociación de Amigos del Camino de Santiago de Aspe

valledelasuvas.es

Nice, Back to the Future, don't look down, look up and see the light!

 

[rappahannock_rev]

Way back in --- well, many years ago --- I asked my Bishop for permission to be absent from my parish in order to do a long-ish Camino walk. He said "Sure! But I will require that you carry your cell phone with you at all times, so that you can be reached quickly in case either I or your parishioners have an emergency." I did as I was told, of course....

Not all of us have the freedom to dispense with the blessings (?) that modern technology brings.... I have never used my cellphone on the Camino for music, audiobooks,, etc. (Never even tempted!) I use it only to take photographs -- and to be available as per my Bishop. That's it.

 

[CWBuff]

Bring a film camera. Letter paper and stamps. Sundial.

in those good ole days I used to take 2 36x and 4-5 24x rolls on a regular 1 week vacation
Given that I took close to 3K shots (and a good number of video as well - so technically that would mean to drag a 8mm as well )... yeah ... I think the "weightwatchers" would have a conniption

 

[CWBuff]

When I was planning the Camino I could not even remotely contemplate to walk without my music!!! On many-a-"test walks" (and even when I simply just go mini-hiking or walk to the local grocery store, etc.) it set the mood and the rhythm. I always chuckle as it never fails - just as I would get a bit tired and start lagging one of those WWII Soviet Marches would blare.... and it would pep me up considerably (I guess old habits die hard... MUST MARCH! )
So... I had my AirBuds and couple of spare battery packs just so I can (or rather the phone) endure 6-8 hours of playing the playlists

...And then the boots TRULY hit the ground....and Camino beckoned... and the number of times that I listened to my music was one big ZERO, ZED, ZIP, NADA! I got immersed by the sounds of nature and all that ("Jazz")

Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd hopped and skipped forever and a day
We walked The Way we choose
With poles and packs and shoes....
Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days

 

[David Tallan]

An article about a recent Camino journey by a group of young people and their supporters on the Camino Frances: "a novel activity where young people do not carry money, mobile phones or any type of electronic device while participating in it." "During the journey, various individual therapies and group talks about the harmful effects of new technologies among the youngest have been carried out. "

#Aspe: Llegan a Santiago los peregrinos del proyecto “Desconecta en el Camino” - Valle de las Uvas Aspe Noticias

13 personas han formado parte de esta iniciativa organizada por la Asociación de Amigos del Camino de Santiago de Aspe

valledelasuvas.es

What I find interesting is that they are not only walking without electronics, but also without money. Money is a very old technology, which might be said to even predate the Camino.