What Do You Regret?

[JinOhChoi]

Here’s a question for those who have done the Camino Frances route from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela or just during your Camino experience.

What do you regret not doing?

 

[MickMac]

Here’s a question for those who have done the Camino Frances route from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela or just during your Camino experience.

What do you regret not doing?

Staying in contact with fellow pilgrims don't like goodbyes, I just walk away after finishing walk , it's not you it's me excuse, bit sad.

 

[C clearly]

Nothing, really. One cannot do everything!

 

[Bradypus]

I regret not walking my first Camino a year earlier. It would have given me a chance to meet Don Elias Valiña whose guide book I used on that walk but who died in the previous winter.

 

[markie6]

Making excuses not to start my first camino. It seems a little like time wasted now

and not taking a better camera that first time too

 

[woody66]

What do you regret not doing?

Getting to Santiago and not carrying on walking!!
Spending time with good people sharing life, laughter, meals and companionship and moving on with only the memory!
Not walking long ago; my old body likes to complain a lot now!

 

[davejsy]

Not much really - thankfully.

I feel the last week of my Camino was probably a bit more rushed than I'd of liked now looking back. I didn't want to leave the people I'd been walking with the last 2 weeks, and one of them was on a schedule. The weather was also a bit pants. So I kind of regret that a bit - but not enough to wish it could have been different.

Me and my friend were then going to carry on to Finisterre, but again the weather was mostly torrential rain and there wasn't much point slogging through that just for the sake of it. More of a weather stopped play than a regret I guess.

 

[Grousedoctor]

If I were to identify one regret, it’s that I didn’t take my Camino a bit slower. I walked the CF in 31 days (pretty much the traditional stages). Since then, I now schedule in rest days and shorter stages. Slowing down would have allowed me to take a little more time to smell the roses. Don’t rush your Camino!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I regret not taking the variant early on to visit the church at Eunate, and that I didn't take the variant to the monastery at Samos.

 

[rosmith223]

I always regret being so kind to people who constantly try to push me back.

 

[jungleboy]

I regret not taking the variant early on to visit the church at Eunate, and that I didn't take the variant to the monastery at Samos.

I also did neither of those!

Eunate is a regret but it was the end of the stage and it was early in our first camino, so we were pretty wrecked (and Wendy was dealing with PF but didn’t know it yet). We will definitely visit on a future Francés/Aragonés.

For Samos, we wanted to take the other route and stay at El Beso, which was one of my favourite albergues on the Francés, so no regrets there.

 

[shefollowsshells]

Mine actually is referenced often by me as one of my biggest regrets in life not just on the camino. In 2012my first camino, by myself, Lea ing hubby and five kids behind. I walked a bit ) more in my bubble bs walked) with a boy probably twenty years younger than I was. He was tent camping from Belgium to Finesterre. He asked me the night after Granon if I wanted to sleep
Out with him. I declined, and that night clean in my chosen albergues I looked out the window of the bathroom to total darkness thinking “ he’s out there sleeping somewhere”.

There was zero romantic interest between us it was just a genuine pilgrim offer.
The thought of sleeping outside seemed so extreme and exotic on camino ( though I have camped). Four years later I’d be taking five my kids three months from le puy to finesterre where the six of us slept outside most of the time!!!

 

[DreamWeaver]

Been an introvert, I regret didn't take enough initiative to ask for contact details. I missed some of the people, i wish I have asked.
Other than that, can't think of any.

 

[BTCPDC]

I regret not taking time at the end of my Camino to process what it meant. I went right into full time caring the day after I returned, too soon. Pauline

 

[lt56ny]

I regret that I wasn't more appreciative of the fact that I had absolutely no expectations, absolutely no idea what I was getting into, not having anyone to ask about the experience and having fear but not letting it stop me, and just letting go and what happened, happened. Just getting on a plane and walking. My plan stopped after I took a pane from Paris to Pamplona, or was it Madrid and then a train to Pamplona? I don't remember.

 

[henrythedog]

I regret not doing what @lt56ny did.

I over-researched - it’s entirely possible to just ‘turn up and start walking’; certainly on the Frances. Beyond a basic appreciation of which direction I’m going in that’s what I try to do now, but as my focus shifts to less crowded routes I’m having to do a little more planning.

 

[t2andreo]

While I did have regrets at the time I walked all six of my Caminos, each of them ended up being a "note to self" for the next time. This process improvement cycle helped each subsequent Camino be a better and more profound experience to me.

 

[davejsy]

I regret not taking the variant early on to visit the church at Eunate, and that I didn't take the variant to the monastery at Samos.

I did Eunate, but not Samos which I wish I had.

 

[jungleboy]

Mine actually is referenced often by me as one of my biggest regrets in life not just on the camino.

Sounds like you made up for it and then some!

 

[Wendy MS]

Here’s a question for those who have done the Camino Frances route from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela or just during your Camino experience.

What do you regret not doing?

Stopping more often, slowing down to truly see and remember the beautiful villages we walked through.

 

[Anamiri]

Here’s a question for those who have done the Camino Frances route from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela or just during your Camino experience.

What do you regret not doing?

Not walking earlier, I was 57 when I walked my first Camino.

 

[TashH]

I regret not spending more time exploring as I walked. I tended to focus on walking from point A to point B each day and getting to the albergue in time for a bed. Once I recognised this, I did try to change, and booking accommodation ahead did help with this but I still think I could have taken my time a bit more.

 

[David Tallan]

I regret not exchanging contact information with pilgrims, especially on my 2016 Camino. I regret that I was more focused on taking photos of places than of people.

 

[bubba]

Wish I had heard of the Camino sooner than I did.

 

[lt56ny]

I regret not doing what @lt56ny did.

I over-researched - it’s entirely possible to just ‘turn up and start walking’; certainly on the Frances. Beyond a basic appreciation of which direction I’m going in that’s what I try to do now, but as my focus shifts to less crowded routes I’m having to do a little more planning.

When I first walked there were many pilgrims who just "turned up and start waling" as you said. I too do far less crowded caminos now and walk later in the year. My planning now is more of the nature of a day or two out. Can I walk about 25K a day and will there be an albergue open. Do I need to walk a really short day to avoid a 30+k day the following day and does the albergue have a kitchen, and how much food do I need to be carrying. There is more planning but no where near the amount of those who book many days ahead, have luggage service etc.

 

[hikentravel1234]

I regret not taking the variant early on to visit the church at Eunate, and that I didn't take the variant to the monastery at Samos.

I took the detour to both and so glad I did. But it used to close for a few hours mid day--not sure when it is open now. It is just a very small but unique church. When I was there, a building that people could stay in previously, was closed. I like everything about the Knights Templar, thus an added draw for me.
Samos is much much bigger with beautiful views, a cathedral, I believe a monastery, a museum, and a place to stay (reserve ahead).

 

[Tortilla]

When I first walked there were many pilgrims who just "turned up and start wailing" as you said.

Did you try to comfort them?

 

[hikentravel1234]

Here’s a question for those who have done the Camino Frances route from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela or just during your Camino experience.

What do you regret not doing?

1. On my first Camino I didn't and couldn't train before I went. BIG mistake--plantar fasciitis that eventually ended my walk. The better I train, the more I enjoy the trip.
2. Walking in the heat. First CF, started Aug 27. Heat to almost 40C. Second stated late July--still too hot. Third, started Sept 29-- super hot until mid Oct then still hot, but not as severe. Fourth, mid May--still hot. This year, walked the Camino Portuguese starting April 10 and fabulous weather.
For some, the heat doesn't bother them. For me, especially as I get older, the heat significantly hampers my performance and this, enjoyment.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I took the detour to both and so glad I did.

If I have a next time on the Frances, I will be sure to include them. The other regret I had forgotten to mention in my post was the Pradela variant out of Villafranca del Bierzo. The photos I've seen since I passed it up twice are amazing and definitely look worth the climb.

 

[Purple Backpack]

On the Frances, I didn’t start seeking out the spiritual part of the Camino until around Burgos. It made all the difference going to mass, staying in the monasteries, listening to the Gregorian chants in Rabanal or the singing nuns at vespers in Leon. I started seeing the same pilgrims seeking out similar experiences and made good friends of all faiths. It led to hiking buddies and wonderful conversations about religion, life, experiences. Totally changed that Camino from a hike to a pilgrimage.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

For some, the heat doesn't bother them. For me, especially as I get older, the heat significantly hampers my performance and this, enjoyment.

Same for me; I hate the heat and avoid walking in summer as much as possible as it totally zaps my energy and I become miserable quickly. As you noted, hot days often can overlap in later spring and early fall. I wet my bandana in cold water to wear around my neck even if it is only 70(ish) degrees F. I prefer being a bit chilly, and I walk a bit faster without trying to.

 

[lt56ny]

Did you try to comfort them?

We may have a communication problem but I do not know what you mean by that. Sorry

 

[Tortilla]

We may have a communication problem but I do not know what you mean by that. Sorry

I know it was just a typo, but the idea of pilgrims wailing upon arriving to SJPP seemed quite funny
@woody66 found it funny
I am sorry, I'm out of this thread. I have no regrats to share (per OP question)

 

[MickMac]

1. On my first Camino I didn't and couldn't train before I went. BIG mistake--plantar fasciitis that eventually ended my walk. The better I train, the more I enjoy the trip.
2. Walking in the heat. First CF, started Aug 27. Heat to almost 40C. Second stated late July--still too hot. Third, started Sept 29-- super hot until mid Oct then still hot, but not as severe. Fourth, mid May--still hot. This year, walked the Camino Portuguese starting April 10 and fabulous weather.
For some, the heat doesn't bother them. For me, especially as I get older, the heat significantly hampers my performance and this, enjoyment.

What did you think if the Portuguese in comparison to Frances honestly.

 

[MARSKA]

Well I w considered your question. Nothing is my answer I think.

 

[chinacat]

I also did neither of those!

Eunate is a regret but it was the end of the stage and it was early in our first camino, so we were pretty wrecked (and Wendy was dealing with PF but didn’t know it yet). We will definitely visit on a future Francés/Aragonés.

For Samos, we wanted to take the other route and stay at El Beso, which was one of my favourite albergues on the Francés, so no regrets there.

We walked out to Eunate from Obanos, in the late afternoon.
It was deserted, the church was open and it was a lovely restful walk - in sandals

 

[Roland49]

I over-researched - it’s entirely possible to just ‘turn up and start walking’; certainly on the Frances.

That's what I did. Flown into Biarritz, rode to SJPdP, not knowing what to expect and not prepared for the experience that I had.

The main difference between the two pilgrimages is, in my opinion, the more or less "flow" of ongoing pilgrim's vibe across the Frances and the more selectively occuring vibe on the Portugues.
That could be the people, the albergues, hospitaleros, meals, weather, own mood and mind, etc. pp.
IMHO the Portugues is "in the making" and may reach the level of hospitality, spirit and infrastructure of the CF in a few years time.

 

[SEB2]

Sometimes actions have unexpected consequences and your post @JinOhChoi prompted me to address an oversight that has bothered me since for over nine years. When I arrived at Refugio Gaucelmo in 2015 it was during a thunderstorm and I was soaked to the skin but Maggie, the hospitalera, took one look at my pathetic condition and said that she would gladly give up her own bed to me if there none were available - fortunately for both us there were spare beds. I didn't understand then the system of donativos and have always regretted not putting more in the donations box to reflect what I could have afforded to give at that time in gratitude for the warm welcome, beautiful accommodation and food provided. Today I addressed that regret by making a late donation to the Rabanal fund so thank you @JinOhChoi for starting this thread.