We are all looking but not all of us are seeing.
I am enjoying this thread as it seems that technology and modern comforts will increasingly be discussed, as their use on the Camino increases. I have learnt so much from forum members over the years, and that knowledge has certainly made my Caminos so much easier and enjoyable so I respect very much the views of those who know the Camino so well.
I liked
@C clearly comment about avoiding sweeping statements and her advice to approach phone users just as you would anyone else. I also appreciated
@Kanga who commented on phones disguising discomfort because that certainly resonates with me. But for me, it has become a vital part of my First Aid Kit that I am not sure I could cope without. I am not very good at expressing myself succinctly so please excuse the "essay" and I apologise if my experience of using a phone is veering off topic.
In 2013, after the death of my father and 3 "signs" that I felt was calling me to a previously unheard of
Camino Frances, I decided that I would walk to Santiago and listen if I could, to the Caminos message for me. I am on the Autistic Spectrum and also have a diagnosis of Paranoid Schizophrenia. I am of no danger or threat to others but when unwell I suffer auditory and visual hallucinations, self-harm and can literally go weeks without leaving my flat. So when I announced I was about to Walk from SJPDP to Muxia, the sound of my friend's alarm bells was deafening. Everyone thought I was mad, pardon the pun, except my psychiatrist who after a few questions asked me if I had a smartphone. I had by chance just been given one as until then I didn't even own a mobile phone.
Telephone numbers were then loaded up. My own Mental Health Team and the Crisis Team for Out of Hours. The Samaritans. And an excellent call roaming plan so I could access these services. Then a translating app so should I need to communicate to Spanish Medical Services I stood a chance much higher than my basic phrases.
In the smart voice recorder app, my phycologist recorded 2 mindfulness recordings I had found useful in the past. The picture gallery had images of steps I found good to calm myself down with along with positive affirmations and vitally, for me, "flashcards" to remind myself that I had an illness and that my current perception might not be reality-based. An example might be, because nothing so bad actually happened, prompting to recognise that sniper carrying a gun was actually just a pilgrim and walking pole.
Finally, some diversion practices that might help. My favourite and most used was talking to "someone" when I was hearing voices, (If especially stressed I hear Voices) This simply involved turning off the phone so it wouldn't ring mid-conversation and then talk to my voices, who tend to be very negative. At one stage just after Sarria, I coped with the sudden increase in pilgrims and thus anxiety by chatting away to a particular voice who was trying to convince me I was a failure and wouldn't make it. "No, I disagree," I said. " I will make it and you're so wrong. I don't have to listen to you and what would you know anyway". Ad lib until I felt in control.
My Camino turned out to be an incredible experience and the first of many. It was life-changing for me on so many levels but still comes with its challenges. I am unable to use dormitory accommodation as it is a trigger for my paranoia which leads to psychosis and so I have to pay more for single rooms. And as much I as I want to I am often too anxious to approach people or go and eat in a bar. And so yes, I often sit alone with my phone coping with a situation but wishing I could be with others.
My phone is always on silent always and I don't use it to casually chat at high volume to friends back home while walking, but it is something I need. I share the frustration of the overuse of phones on the Camino but wanted to share that things are not always what we think.
So, if you see me sitting at a table alone with my phone, do say hello or ask if you can sit down. The chances are I will love your company. People, off Camino, always interrupt others to ask for directions so feel free to interrupt as normal. Please don't ignore the phone people as a phone is not a sign that a person wants to be alone. Let's try to cultivate a reasonable code of usage rather than outright condemnation. I would hate to walk alongside someone talking on their phone, but i would also hate to be without mine. Again, apologies for length of post.
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