Back from Camino portugese

[Former member 42123]

Just back from Porto/Santiago.Just a few thoughts .Beautiful country,wonderful,kind,helpful people.Not as busy as C.F. but met pilgrims from so many nations.Should have taken costal route out of Porto,and would advise any other pilgrims to do same.If I had known Portugal is the "Kingdom of the cobblestones" I would have returned to the C.F.My poor old feet took a terrible pounding from the cobbles,they were everywhere.On thelus side the people were wonderful.Due to lack of concentration I realised at one point I was hopelessly lost.I met a lady and with my limited phraseology tried to ask for directions.She tried to point me in the right direction,but after a few left and right waves of her hands she realised she was dealing with an idiot,and instead waved me to follow her.It took her more than ten minuets of brisk walking to reach a yellow arrow where she felt safe to leave me.She smiled,said Bom Camhino and went all the way back to her life.How can one begin to explain such kindness ,or adequately express ones gratitude. Was I naive to expect the same feelings of spirituality and emotion on this Camino that I felt on my others?I did not get the same "buzz" if that is not too terrible a word to use,and I felt it was more a "walk" than a Camino.I am looking forward to doing the C.F.again when I reach 70 God Willing,and I say to all those I met this year,Thank you for your company,your kindness and your help when needed,and may your God guide your future footsteps and keep you safe untill we meet again.

 

[Anamya]

Philip, thanks for your post!

I just finished CF and felt like I should return to the Camino. Would you recommend CP?
Usually I have no problem walking on stone/concrete. Were there beautiful cities, churches, landscapes?

And, mainly, why did you feel it was more a walk than a Camino? Because there were less people? Less albergues?

 

[Former member 42123]

Philip, thanks for your post!

I just finished CF and felt like I should return to the Camino. Would you recommend CP?
Usually I have no problem walking on stone/concrete. Were there beautiful cities, churches, landscapes?

And, mainly, why did you feel it was more a walk than a Camino? Because there were less people? Less albergues?

Philip, thanks for your post!

I just finished CF and felt like I should return to the Camino. Would you recommend CP?
Usually I have no problem walking on stone/concrete. Were there beautiful cities, churches, landscapes?

And, mainly, why did you feel it was more a walk than a Camino? Because there were less people? Less albergues?

Philip, thanks for your post!

I just finished CF and felt like I should return to the Camino. Would you recommend CP?
Usually I have no problem walking on stone/concrete. Were there beautiful cities, churches, landscapes?

And, mainly, why did you feel it was more a walk than a Camino? Because there were less people? Less albergues?

HiAnamya,currently trying to get myself back into normal life.To answer some of your questions,in no particular order.Portugal is beautiful,and there are many cities and towns worth the journey.Porto is magnificent,and I spent two days at end of Camino in the Trinidad district as it is fantastic.It is full of narrow streets lined with little independent shops and bu
siness that took me back to my childhood in a little village in south west Ireland. Coupled with that are streets of fantastic restaurants to eat inside or out,and public squares lined with buildings that have survived for centuries.My favourite "smaller" town is Barcellos,mainly as I reached it on the Portuguese national day.There was a festive air with a full orchestral concert in one of the squares,and lots of traditional music and dancing in another.Yes there were beautiful Churches,but I was disappointed that so many had notices banning photos inside.Why I felt it more of "a walk" than a Camino is harder to explain.I had waited many years( until I retired )to go on my first Camino.That alone made it special.My first foot on the hill on my first morning gave me my first "Camino moment" (see my previous posts for story).The magic continued with Mass at
R oncvalles and on and on to Cruz del ferro.My second Camino was shorter as it was the only time I could spare to give thanks for my wife's recovery from cancer,so also had deep meaning for me.You can see why I was having a problem finding the same feelings on my latest Camino.My foot problems,due to continued walking on cobblestones,perhaps 'distracted' me .Over time I will work it out.Hope all my rambling helps,and if it were not for "cobblestones" I would recommend the C P to others.