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That's a strange reply, you say one thing, then immediately contradict it.
I agree with your logic, @Bedspring. When walking in Spain, it's mostly wise to walk on the left hand side, facing oncoming traffic.
That's true too - perhaps because many pilgrims aren't regular walkers in their home countries.
I assume you mean without pavement. In which case you’re correct, facing the traffic. Where safe to do so ! Sometimes on a blind curve there’s no room, so you have to swap over.
face the traffic if walking on the shoulder, for your safety. hopefully this will happen only occasionally as there is usually a path (on the left or right) for pilgrims, away from the cars.
In general, this is the rule. In practice, I tend to temper with a little common sense. A couple of examples:
To cover all bases, I recommend walking on the underside of the road; this way you don't break any laws or offend any sensibilities. More preferable is to walk on air so as to not kill any insects, bugs, creepy crawlies, which is also life. I have done this on many occasions and have found it has worked out well. Chuck
Nuance, not contradiction. Consensus refers to an agreement reached within a group, convention implies a more widely held agreement, or even a time tested custom/tradition, and in this case, common sense. I remember coming onto a very busy road at one point with cars and trucks flying by and pilgrims on both sides. I crossed the road so I could keep an eye on approaching vehicles.
Lol
I would respectfully suggest to get yourself familiarized with @Tincatinker s posts. Perhaps after you get through 20-25 or so...
Absolutely need to walk on the side facing the traffic. The Camino Frances route is mostly off road but there is a few areas where you share the road with cars and trucks. Very important to walk on the side where you are facing oncoming traffic as you can step to the side when need to. Also make sure you are not wearing headphones when walking on those roads. Stay safe and alert. As well and probably most important is on most routes there will be loads of cyclists (even on the walkers paths) and some tend to cycle very fast, so be alert. Just remember when one passes , another one isn't too far behind. Hope this helps. Buen Camino
Using common sense . . . That'll never catch on. Just waiting for someone to post a question on the Forum asking which sock to put on first . . .
(might even have already been asked)
Left foot, always the left foot first.Using common sense . . . That'll never catch on. Just waiting for someone to post a question on the Forum asking which sock to put on first . . .
I do not know if you are new here but that reply was completely @Tincatinker esque answer. Also as he said pilgrims walk every which way and I often wonder what planet they are from with some of the decisions I have heard over the years. Walking with traffic is a formula for pain, broken bones and much worse.
Wish they would have made a round trip.
Perfect advice
Jump away from the car
Any Guardia Civil will tell you it is best to walk on the left, facing traffic. Of course in some mountain roads with scary drop offs this might be less advisable.
We were told in no uncertain terms by a local in Portugal! Walk so you are facing the oncoming traffic!
Common sense is a strange thing, one person's common sense is another person's stupidity.
You can replace "common sense" with "good judgement". Which also may not be universally present. I added my contribution to the topic because, in my experience, all other things are not always equal. And people who just learn a rule and follow it without thinking further don't necessarily pay attention to that.
I suppose some people would say setting out on 800km walk, is poor judgement.
Congratulations!
Allegedly, some British spies were captured in Germany because they looked to the right first instead of to the left. Could be an urban legend.
Also, if they are going too fast, they may tend to drift (or skid) toward the outside of a curve or corner.
The right, because after you put it on, the other is left.
Well... the SUBURBAN legend is that it was the other way around
"I recommend walking on the underside of the road" But your health might be at risk because you would usually be under the weather.
As others have pointed out, the only exception with the Portuguese is where a sidewalk or path off the road existed on the other side.
I suspect that this instruction was a simplistic way to emphasize the general rule. It is my understanding that the laws allow for exceptions for self-preservation. I cannot back that up, but I certainly always walk on the left, except when it is clearly safer to walk on the right.
