This is a mobile optimized page that loads fast, if you want to load the real page, click this text.

any moments of "what the heck am I doing here" ?

That is awful for you and I'm afraid these so called "pilgrims" (they are not really pilgrims at all) make me sad and mad too. The attitude gets up my nose. You have been given good advice by tincatinker and viranini. Either try and get past them or hold back for a day. Could you perhaps stay in another albergue or hostal? Is that the main albergue in Astorga you mention? If so, I also found them rude. We met 2 Korean girls who were bitten with bugs from head to foot and I was looking for a hostal for them as they did not want to stay in an albergue. Eventually I found them a room in the convent around the corner from the albergue but I had a right "go" at the hospitalero re their attitude. By the way the nuns don't advertise but they have rooms for pilgrims--- about 30 euro for two. A lovely place and tranquil. I must say we have never seen this kind of behaviour and if I saw drugs I would call the police and tell them I was doing so. Would love to throw a bucket of cold water on those fornicating for want of a better word. Do you have any music to listen to? I really feel for you. You don't need this carry on. Please let us know how things are going will you. Best wishes Annette
 
Altus BALI Sleeping bag liner
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Joodle said:
Now that honesty sacred me. Have I waited too long to do the Camino Francis? Is the time past for a good experience due to it's current popularity? Weigh in please
Click to expand...

In my recent experience, I would say that a good experience is still to be had on the Camino, depending, of course what you want to get out of it. I don't think of myself as a pilgrim. I'm a walker and I enjoy the physical challenge, the variety of experience and the fellowship that comes with the Camino. I also enjoy the feeling of physical and mental well being that walking gives me.

I must admit that Sarria to Santiago made me rather grumpy for a day or two when the crowds appeared, but that passed and the fun and companionship I'd had over the last few years and especially during the miles from Leon on our last stretch more than made up for my selfish disgruntlement.

Others may regard the Camino in a different light and have different views but I'm glad I did it and now bore people to death about it.
 
This might be a good time to throw in a good and uplifting quote. I saw this on Facebook "OPTIMIST: Someone who figures that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster, it's more like a Cha-Cha
 
Download free today.
Holoholo automatically captures your footpaths, places, photos, and journals.
Yes I meant Astorga. Haha! My phone is doing the auto-misspell. English isn't my first language either so sometimes my sentences turn out a little bit funny.
 

How is the invierno this time a year. Lots of things closed or???
 

I walked the CF in May/June, July, October, and now November. I just have the feeling that this time a year maybe draw a certain kind of crowd? Had I known what I know now I would've done a full winter Camino in February.
 
Let us pick up your suitcase once you arrive in Europe....
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
Nikki-ki-yay said:
Yes I meant Astorga. Haha! My phone is doing the auto-misspell. English isn't my first language either so sometimes my sentences turn out a little bit funny.
Click to expand...
No you are doing fine! My first language is English but this I pad has a mind of its own! Thank god it's got a spell checker or I would be in trouble. I once quoted Kanga as kangaroo (the iPad, not me of course!!) and had to apologise! Really hope you feel better soon. I could send you some funny jokes to make you laugh but the moderators would delete them!!! Bless you and hope you cheer up soon. Annette
 
Joodle said:
This might be a good time to throw in a good and uplifting quote. I saw this on Facebook "OPTIMIST: Someone who figures that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster, it's more like a Cha-Cha
Click to expand...
Just can't resist this:
Leonard Cohen:
“I don't consider myself a pessimist. I think of a pessimist as someone who is waiting for it to rain. And I feel soaked to the skin.”
 
Camino Preparation Guide
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Well after a lot of thinking I've decided to call it quits. This is not turning out to be "my" Camino so I'm gonna take the train to Santiago. Enjoy a few days in that wonderful town, visit a few friends and then head home to save up for a VdlP instead. I feel content with my decision. Thank you all for your encouragement, love and support. <3
 
Not surpirised by what @Nikki-ki-yay is experiencing, but saddened. Enough said about that, but completely agree with stepping back and come across a new lot or doing the Invierno, while reporting on it that is . I hope you are able to leave the riff raff walk ahead of you. But a word to the wise, at the ultra low cost, less and less effort needed, and movie promos, what this really gping to end any other way?
 
That happened to me the very first day on the Camino. I slept in my bed at home for the last time on the Thursday, the Friday morning I went to work and after work to the airport to depart. We had a stop over in Egypt for a few hours and then departed the Saturday morning but when approaching the airport in Madrid there was something wrong and we circle for a while before landing and that turned all my care full planning upside down and I arrived in St JPdP at three o'clock in the morning after a nightmare taxi ride and nowhere to stay, so I was wandering in the rain and waited for morning to come. Without sleep for 2 nights and without food for more than 24 hours I started my Camino with two Germans who at 5 o'clock in the dark and in pouring rain. At Orrison I was so tired my heart beat and I am sure everybody could hear it. I bought a baguette and the coffee, surely i would have died if I would have drink that very strong coffee so I leave it and before I could eat the Germans was on their way and at the caravan of the Frenchman it was raining cats and dogs and I planned to eat my baguette but there goes the Germans and a few miles before Roncesvalles in pouring rain they stop to eat and by my surprise I realise my baguette is still on the table of the Frenchman, so we continue with me in tears of hunger and dog tired. I thought I would not see the next day, I thought I will die on the Pyrenees but from the second day everything went well and it was a wonderful Camino. To phone my husband, and cry a little did the trick to go on.
 
Let us pick up your suitcase once you arrive in Europe....
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
I have had many days of wondering why I was walking until I read Bill Bryson's comment on the Appalachian Trail.

It is an optional activity. I do not HAVE TO do it. I can quit anytime.

Now I am sustained by the firm knowledge that I don't have to take a single step more.
 
EXPRESS BOURRICOT - Transport
Transport luggage-passengers.
From airports to SJPP
Luggage from SJPP to Roncevalles
Joodle said:
Now that honesty sacred me. Have I waited too long to do the Camino Francis? Is the time past for a good experience due to it's current popularity? Weigh in please
Click to expand...
No, you have not left it too late. Have walked Frances twice, second time back in May. Great experience again, great people met again, new friends for life made again. Might go back again next September which means highly likely I will be having another great experience. Have not experienced anything like the problems expressed by the post that scared you. Most people want to be friendly, a few want to walk on their own but those who want to be downright unfriendly are few and far between. Dont worry, just do it, it will be great regardless of the times when you wonder what the heck you are doing. Realising I had the inner strength to overcome those times surprised me. I never knew I had it in me
 
Hello!

It's a nice question! It never happened to me, because Camino was my dream and if I had some troubles, I always said to myself - YOU ARE HERE, SO GO, ENJOY AND LIVE!
 
Promote your Camino Project on the forum
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Jan_89 said:
Hello!

It's a nice question! It never happened to me, because Camino was my dream and if I had some troubles, I always said to myself - YOU ARE HERE, SO GO, ENJOY AND LIVE!
Click to expand...
I can laugh my way through just about anything, so I will just go and have a great time. Thank you
 
I was expecting for those thought to come, convinced myself it was completely insane before I left and worried about regretting it.

But they never came.

(Edit to add: I remember when I left, an office mate said - when you're walking in the cold with 1 kilo of mud stuck to each shoe and hungry and tired, you'll think of us and miss sitting in the office. When it really did happen, I recalled what she said and laughed to myself. Who would rather sit in the office?! not me...)
 
I had heard that everyone would get to the moment of "what the hell am I doing here, I should quit". I kept waiting for it, but didn't happen, not even on my worst days. Had some (or some more...) moments of "Why did I not get here before", though, later followed by "why the hell am I going back home!?"

At the moment it's "Why am I still at home and don't go back already?"

 
Camino Cleanup Program & Retreat
Join the Camino cleanup. Logroño to Burgos May 2025 & Astorga to OCebreiro in June
Ha Ha, My thought is "why can't I go already"!
 
Joodle, you're planning your camino, which means you're somehow on the way already. Enjoy it, it's part of the experience
 
It's been far too long since I've posted!! The first day as I started up to Orisson and just before reaching the albergue by walking the road (I didn't think I could make the cross country climb!} and the vultures were circling over my head, FOR JUST A MOMENT I thought, "What am I doing here?" After reaching the albergue I realized that the daily challenge for the first few days was just to "walk through" that question! It never appeared again after the first week.
 
Promote your Camino Project on the forum
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
My diary of my first Camino in 2012 from SJPDP to Santiago is littered with "WTF"!!! But never once did I think of quitting and going home.
The first 3 weeks were tough. I did meet some wonderful people though. Then I met Cathy from Australia and we "clicked" and the rest of the way became so much more pleasant!
However.....my second Camino in September this year (Via De La Plata) ended after 2 weeks. I somehow injured the tendon in my right foot which became more and more painful. I rested and went by bus to the next couple of towns, but to no avail. There were SO few people on this Camino! I got depressed and just came home. Which I now regret because I could have made a couple of other choices.
I plan to return in 2016.......thinking of Camino Portuguese! With Cathy!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Camino Photo

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Most read last week in this forum

Similar threads

Living in the moment and our relationship with time
Replies
0
Views
73
Addi
C
  • Tags backpack & packing
    • Packing List Review & Questions 3 days before departure.
    Replies
    23
    Views
    1K
    David Tallan
    Sharing a 'squee' moment!
    Replies
    33
    Views
    3K
    HeidiL
    M
    Absolutely terrified to start
    Replies
    35
    Views
    2K
    Vinnie16
    V
    Have Pilgrim's Passport, but do I need to register at a local pilgrim's office before I can stay in municipal albergues?
    Replies
    17
    Views
    3K
    Pafayac
    Menu
    Log in
    Register