I am sorry about your personal misfortune. I have feelings both personal and observational about touring companies that is not appropriate for this thread. I know all people who use companies have their reasons. I often hope that for those who are just unsure or not confident that they can do a camino on their own that the experience changes them in one important way. That it shows, most importantly they can do a camino. Secondly I hope it gives them the confidence to do their next camino without the help of any company or person. I do truly believe that there is a great benefit of having the freedom to walk at your own pace, to stop, go, sleep and rest based on nothing but what your body is telling you to do. Buen Camino
I understand and respect your experience, but I too can only speak from my own. I think the focus on the use of touring companies in general and not why I personally used one is what has been a bit frustrating for me. All of this evolved out of a simple question that I asked about stamps, which I definitely regret now.
Not that I need to explain (and I’m becoming frustrated with myself for doing it, so that’s on me), but the grief of losing one of my closest friends so suddenly has been really rough. My normal type A organizing brain has been in a deep fog for many months now, a common symptom of grief. I was grateful for the assistance so I could grieve and train for six months and not make mistakes with bookings that might have caused me unnecessary stress.
Also, not that it matters, but to clarify, I’m not using a tour guide or walking in a group. I’m walking solo with my own maps and no technology, except at the albergues. The company just arranged all accommodations for me in advance and my luggage transfers to each of them. I also wanted a private room and bath at each of my stops since I’m still in active grief. They helped make sure that happened and to arrange a daily walking pace that worked for me. They did all of this with a great amount of compassion and for that, I’m deeply grateful.
I’m not looking for approval from anyone here, but I do want to advocate for myself and for anyone else here who might need a different experience. The focus seems off topic and a lot of assumptions are still being made. This includes the assumption that everyone must want or need the same Camino experience. Not everyone does.
I think it’s great if people want to “hard-core” their Camino as a challenge to themselves. Some may want to simply say they walked the distance. That in itself might be transformative for them. Their priority might not be whether they do it solo or without a tour company in a limited or full capacity. Does that make their Camino any less valuable? If so, why? Because it doesn’t meet the arbitrary standards or experiences of other pilgrims who chose a different path and are convinced it is the only way?
The reason for my comments was one user’s comment on “chasing my luggage” which couldn’t be further from the reality of my experience. While he couldn’t have known what a tender journey this has been for me thus far, it’s important to consider that one doesn’t know. In the humility of that admission, perhaps one might refrain from the personal opinions or judgments that really have nothing to do with what someone might be experiencing.
I walked 40 km today. How is that any less bad ass whether I used a company to arrange my accommodation and forward my luggage for me or not? Or any less bad ass for the terrified person doing it for the first time that wants the added support of a group? If it’s the only way they can move past their fear versus not doing it at all, who cares?
I’m proud of my Camino thus far. My spiritual goals for this Camino are mine alone, as they are to each and every pilgrim. I’m here to walk my friend home to God. I won’t have it implied that doing so is somehow diminished because I didn’t call the albergues myself.
. . . . . . . . .
