My Camino regret!

[Renascer]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

 

[C clearly]

I realize the question is just meant to stimulate interesting discussion, and I'm sure it will, but I don't see much value in focusing on the "regret" aspect. We can learn lessons, and make suggestions about doing things differently, but that does not imply "regret." I have no regrets about my first camino, except maybe that I stayed one night in a place with bedbugs. But no, having survived that relatively unscathed, I am glad for the experience. Some will say they regret not going before, but then they would have missed some other experience.

 

[Isca-camigo]

I sometimes start to indulge my regrets then remember that all the people I have met, special times that happened and insights gained might not have happened if I didn't experience what I experienced in the exact way that I did, and I use that to stop myself having regrets.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I do regret attempting to walk the entire first stage from SJPP to Roncesvalles. I had a reservation at Orisson, but the hospitalero at SJPP convinced us to cancel it. Big mistake. It ruined me for days after.

 

[Renascer]

I realize the question is just meant to stimulate interesting discussion, and I'm sure it will, but I don't see much value in focusing on the "regret" aspect. We can learn lessons, and make suggestions about doing things differently, but that does not imply "regret." I have no regrets about my first camino, except maybe that I stayed one night in a place with bedbugs. But no, having survived that relatively unscathed, I am glad for the experience. Some will say they regret not going before, but then they would have missed some other experience.

Yes it is for conversations and inspiration for the newbies. I have heard people telling they regret not exchanging contact info with a certain person they met. Others not having a notepad to take some notes of the experiences... or trying a certain typical food in a certain area. It is great to jump in and deeply embrace the camino and probably every single one is different. This will be my first. There is also a lot to learn from the success and regrets of each other. Myself for example, i was in Africa for a long time and never went to a Safari. Had amazing experiences there but didn't enjoy the Safari part of it. So if i was in Africa again obviously i would “not” miss the Safari.

 

[Isca-camigo]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

I suppose my answer isn't much use for opening the conversation and I have had regrets on Camino and I nearly gave up walking them in 2012 because of them, I went away from that Camino took a little time out from walking and realized in that time I couldn't change outside situations but I could change my attitude, particularly on Camino, I focused and developed that attitude before I walked again in 2014, but I suppose without regrets I wouldn't have got to that stage, but I don't feel the need for them now I try to just go with what happens.

 

[Stroller]

Not taking more time, there was no rush but.........

 

[Renascer]

I suppose my answer isn't much use for opening the conversation and I have had regrets on Camino and I nearly gave up walking them in 2012 because of them, I went away from that Camino took a little time out from walking and realised in that time I count change outside situations but I could change my attitude, particularly on Camino, I focussed and developed that attitude before I walked again in 2014, but I suppose without regrets I wouldn't have got to that stage, but I don't feel the need for them now I try to just go with what happens.

Sometimes seems like something is a regret right there but maybe it is the experience to help us learn and overcome something and other times something that we don't give importance at the moment, later on can become a regret.

 

[FourSeasons]

CF (Camino Frances) solo in 2013 Sept-Oct, my first. SJPdP to Santiago. Not one regret. It was so full of magic and Camino Angels. I was so green I was nick named "peregreena. LOL I really feel ignorance is bliss because it sure contributes to the Camino culture of "let go and let the Camino provide". Don't get me wrong, it was tough sometimes and painful, that's for sure but so full of magic and joy and a real sense of accomplishment. I made friends for life and completed it in 34 days with only one rest day. I went on to Fisterra with my Camino sister on the bus then to Muxia. Pure magic. I went home highly recommending it and explaining the Camino to family and friends as a woman giving birth and I gave birth to three children on the Camino. LOL

CF solo in 2016 April-May, my second. SJPdp to Santiago. A little regret. I planned too much and I knew too much in advance about the Camino. Not as much magic because I tried to control more because I knew more. Does that make sense. I was finished by Fromista for various reasons. So, I took a few days rest then hopped on the train to Santiago, no regret there, just a sense of relief and smiles.

del Norte solo 2019 July-August. My third. Irun to Santiago. No regrets. del Norte kicked my butt so much so that I knew I had to change plans. It was while I was in my hotel room at Pension Jade in Castro Urdiales when I realized del Norte took all I could give. Even so, she still wanted more. I walked a few more days to get to a bus to get me to Santander where I hopped the train down to the CF directly to Fromista. I could start there where I had left off 3 years earlier. Yippy!! The feeling I had on that train racing closer to the Frances is indescribable, happiness doesn't express it enough. Although my Camino was still full of hard knocks I was happy to be back on the Frances and feeling quite sly that I had figured a way out but also a way to keep going. I was completo.

Please, if you'd like to see my adventure I am on insta as caminojunkie (I hope I'm not breaking any rules by giving this info).

 

[Rj7797]

I don't have any regrets, I have reasons to go back and walk again.

 

[Renascer]

Not taking more time, there was no rush but.........

A lot of people say this same thing.

 

[alexwalker]

What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

Since you ask: Nothing.

But I learn more and more from the Camino each time I walk. On many levels. Inner values.

And since then (my first walk), I became a Caminoholic Anonymous. I can happilly live with that, thank you, reliving (with ever new impulses) the experience time after time as I walk again and again. It has much to do with peace of mind and acceptance of your status and faith in life. Which is a good thing.

 

[Marbe2]

Honestly, I try to make the best choices I can during my Caminos and generally do not have “regrets” ( feel sad, or disappointed over something that has happened or been done, especially a loss or missed opportunity). Life is too short!

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

In the same vein as not allowing enough time. I allowed plenty of time but then committed myself to doing other things in that "spare" time and as a result had to break my Camino and return later when I found that I needed the spare time to complete.

By committing to other activities ahead of time I was also unable to follow through with an opportunity to be a volunteer hospitalero in my favourite Albergue in Sahagun

I did, of course, get to do the things that I did do in that time though

 

[linkster]

Honestly, I try to make the best choices I can during my Casinos and generally do not have “regrets” ( feel sad, or disappointed over something that has happened or been done, especially a loss or missed opportunity). Life is too short!

Me too, but I do regret doubling my bet on red at the roulette table last time. Next time, I am all in on black. #casinos

 

[Lindsay53]

Only a small regret, I walked on to Muxia, bypassing Finisterre. I now wish I had walked down the coast from Muxia and finished at Finisterre. Next time....

 

[TaraWalks]

My only regret is not spending more time in Estella. I remember we walked through on a hot day and I remember thinking it was a beautiful town and how I would like to look in the church. I remember we stayed in a polideportivo in Ayegui and walked on the next day… I can’t remember if it was really that beautiful or whether it was the fatigue/ dehydration/ overall agape influencing this

 

[Peregrinopaul]

What I regret most - on all my caminos - is having committed myself to a deadline, because of return airline reservations, or ferry bookings, or having a pilgrim room booked at San Martin Pinario. After all the disappointment of the past (soon-to-be) 2 years I am determined to pay the extra money to have flexibility, andto be able to just wend my way along whatever camino it turns out to be, and take it as it comes.

 

[Roland49]

The only thing I really "missed", was the church of Eunate.
I was too tired and the day was exteme hot walking from Pamplona to Puente de la Reina.

One of many reasons more to walk the CF again.

BC
Roland

 

[Renascer]

The only thing I really "missed", was the church of Eunate.
I was too tired and the day was exteme hot walking from Pamplona to Puente de la Reina.

One of many reasons more to walk the CF again.

BC
Roland

I find interesting how many people enjoy repeating the same camino. Well... the same route as there is not the same camino.

 

[m108]

The only thing I really "missed", was the church of Eunate.
I was too tired and the day was exteme hot walking from Pamplona to Puente de la Reina.

One of many reasons more to walk the CF again.

BC
Roland

Same for the same reasons! Eunate was the reason I repeated this part of CF. It was worth it. Magically.
Buen Camino!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I was too tired to go out of my way.
I definitely regret not going to Eunate...and Samos. I was interested in seeing them both, but didn't want to take the extra time they needed.

 

[Meggins]

I was too tired to go out of my way.
I definitely regret not going to Eunate...and Samos. I was interested in seeing them both, but didn't want to take the extra time they needed.

Samos is awesome - went that way 3 times!

 

[JamesVT]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

I don’t have any deeply held regrets, mostly just a sense of gratitude for the Camino itself and for the many acts of kindness and generosity bestowed on me by so many along the way. Regrets: not writing down the names and addresses of a few people who I would like to contact now; and not keeping a more detailed daily journal.

 

[Damian27]

I regret washing my shoes on the first day. All it did was give me WETTER shoes until I was past Pamplona. Let them self-clean while you walk. To this day (8 years later), that was the first and last time I cleaned those shoes!

 

[Pipmahoe]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

I do not have what I would call regrets. However.......I wish I had relaxed and enjoyed it more, I think it’s called living in the moment! I was always thinking about “where are we sleeping”, “should I do my washing tonight “, “what will tomorrow bring”. Also, I wish I had carried on to Finister. Any how, all the more reason to go back to do it all again!

 

[MaryLynn]

I was too tired to go out of my way.
I definitely regret not going to Eunate...and Samos. I was interested in seeing them both, but didn't want to take the extra time they needed.

Next time!

 

[sid gustafson]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

No regrets.

 

[JamesVT]

One more regret-- not using my camera to document with the town name and albergue where I stayed each night, to make it easier to reconstruct my memories of each leg of my Camino. That would have made it easier to time travel the Camino during the past 15 months of pandemic.

I don’t have any deeply held regrets, mostly just a sense of gratitude for the Camino itself and for the many acts of kindness and generosity bestowed on me by so many along the way. Regrets: not writing down the names and addresses of a few people who I would like to contact now; and not keeping a more detailed daily journal.

 

[David]

Well, reality isn't contingent, it just is so the past couldn't have been any other way - but - back in 2005 on my first Camino I started in Moissac on the Le Puy route in France, merely because I was living in France at the time and it was an easy train journey to get there (I knew Nothing about Camino/s!!!). I really enjoyed walking in France but St Jean came too quickly for me.
So it is difficult not to wonder what my Camino would have been had I started further north, even Le Puy ... but I didn't and I had the Camino I had

 

[VNwalking]

Only that I didn't walk my first camino 15 years earlier. Other than that? Not a single regret.

 

[FLEUR]

Samos was delightful even though I tripped on a pavement.
Left Pamplona late so missed Eunate had a rendez-vous with OH at Peunte la Reine so had to rush although was 2 hrs late and we only met by some fluke.
After the Baztan which ends in Pamplona I thought we might walk out to Eunate but we, Baztan 4 were so tired we were content to chill in an Air bnb apartment on Pamplona.
So Eunate is somewhere I would like to see.

I'm currently logging my kms walked at home and am just past Carrion. Doing this with a Camino friend in the USA we connect via WhatsApp and enjoy our daily réminiscence of walking the CF.

 

[ukjohn99]

I do regret attempting to walk the entire first stage from SJPP to Roncesvalles. I had a reservation at Orisson, but the hospital are out at SJPP convinced us to cancel it. Big mistake. It ruined me for days after.

I can relate to that. I started a bit later than I should, my backpack was too heavy and half way up the mountain I thought that I was going to die - and wanted to. I arrived in the dark at Roncesvalles and it was raining. BUT then I discovered that there was a pilgrim meal in the restaurant opposite and dinner was a whole trout each. That and chatting to my fellow pilgrims over the meal was a very healing experience and I was fine the next day. Had I known about being able to stay at Orisson I might have opted for it but would then have been denied the experience of going over the Pyrenees in a day.

 

[Rachel from Seattle]

CF (Camino Frances) in 2013 Sept-Oct, my first. SJPdP to Santiago. Not one regret. It was so full of magic and Camino Angels. I was so green I was nick named "peregreena. LOL I really feel ignorance is bliss because it sure contributes to the Camino culture of "let go and let the Camino provide". Don't get me wrong, it was tough sometimes and painful, that's for sure but so full of magic and joy and a real sense of accomplishment. I made friends for life and completed it in 34 days with only one rest day. I went on to Fisterra with my Camino sister on the bus then to Muxia. Pure magic. I went home highly recommending it and explaining the Camino to family and friends as a woman giving birth and I gave birth to three children on the Camino. LOL

CF in 2016 April-May, my second. SJPdp to Santiago. A little regret. I planned too much and I knew too much in advance about the Camino. Not as much magic because I tried to control more because I knew more. Does that make sense. I was finished by Fromista for various reasons. So, I took a few days rest then hopped on the train to Santiago, no regret there, just a sense of relief and smiles.

del Norte 2019 July-August. My third. Irun to Santiago. No regrets. del Norte kicked my butt so much so that I knew I had to change plans. It was while I was in my hotel room at Pension Jade in Castro Urdiales when I realized del Norte took all I could give. Even so, she still wanted more. I walked a few more days to get to a bus to get me to Santander where I hopped the train down to the CF directly to Fromista. I could start there where I had left off 3 years earlier. Yippy!! The feeling I had on that train racing closer to the Frances is indescribable, happiness doesn't express it enough. Although my Camino was still full of hard knocks I was happy to be back on the Frances and feeling quite sly that I had figured a way out but also a way to keep going. I was completo.

Please, if you'd like to see my adventure I am on insta as caminojunkie (I hope I'm not breaking any rules by giving this info).

I’m always surprised when people don’t mention how hard the Camino is. Good job finding a solution that worked. The first week on el Norte shook my confidence and brought me to tears more than once.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I can relate to that. I started a bit later than I should, my backpack was too heavy and half way up the mountain I thought that I was going to die - and wanted to. I arrived in the dark at Roncesvalles and it was raining. BUT then I discovered that there was a pilgrim meal in the restaurant opposite and dinner was a whole trout each. That and chatting to my fellow pilgrims over the meal was a very healing experience and I was fine the next day. Had I known about being able to stay at Orisson I might have opted for it but would then have been denied the experience of going over the Pyrenees in a day.

Noticed my typo in your reply. I’ve had this phone for two years and it still does not understand my accent.

Anyway I have probably walked that route now around 20 times And I always break that first stage into two days. I get to walk slower and enjoy the scenery more and I don’t ruin myself for the rest of the Camino

 

[ukjohn99]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

I don't regret taking the bus, along with a group of people I was walking with, avoiding traipsing through the industrial outer area of Burgos. I do regret, just a little, taking the bus from Santiago to Finisterre. I was a bit pushed for time and didn't really see that stretch as part of my Camino. I would now, though. One regret was staying at the meanest nasty hotel in Toulouse on my way back home. I wasn't to know from its web site and the one that I stayed in on the way out was lovely - and opposite the train station.

 

[Caminogoat]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

I try not to regret anything in the past, which I admit is hard thing to do. But being a Monday-morning quarterback is not my thing. Instead, I just try to accept what happened and do my best with what I have each moment. This doesn't mean that I do a good job of practicing what I say. However, unless I intentionally bungled something, what is the point of spending my precious time regretting something that I can't fix. You may say that this is just my defense mechanism, but the alternative of making a long list of regrets in life is dying young. Life is too short! Look what happened in Florida. I feel infinitely fortunate to have walked several Caminos; doesn't matter whether I could have done better or differently by someone else's standard. All those who were fortunate enough to experience the Camino are blessed people. My warmest wishes to you all.

 

[Jodean]

I regret spending time with people who had a drinking problem because I was afraid of being alone. They almost ruined my 1st Camino but ya live and learn.
Also regret not taking photos of the good friends I made.

 

[casario]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

I walked my first CF in 35 days and when home reviewing all the pictures taken with my friend that walked with me, we both realized we were just going from one location to another according to the guide books and didn't take the time to really enjoy the culture and the journey as we should have. Don't get me wrong. That was the trip the best of both of our lives!! In March 2022 at age 75, I am returning to SJPP to Slow walk the CF in ab out 62 days and bringing the family to join me in Sarria for the slow trip into Santiago.

 

[Bumpa]

I try not to regret anything in the past, which I admit is hard thing to do. But being a Monday-morning quarterback is not my thing. Instead, I just try to accept what happened and do my best with what I have each moment. This doesn't mean that I do a good job of practicing what I say. However, unless I intentionally bungled something, what is the point of spending my precious time regretting something that I can't fix. You may say that this is just my defense mechanism, but the alternative of making a long list of regrets in life is dying young. Life is too short! Look what happened in Florida. I feel infinitely fortunate to have walked several Caminos; doesn't matter whether I could have done better or differently by someone else's standard. All those who were fortunate enough to experience the Camino are blessed people. My warmest wishes to you all.

I have only one regret if you would indulge me. Approx three years ago, in a town on the Frances which I don't recall, I had supper in an albergue with three lovely people. The man and wife were from Florida and they were accompanied by their daughter from Hawaii. The man had gout and was labouring a bit with his walk. They were just lovely and interesting people. I did not get their names.

Later down the road, I met them again in a small stone church. I was standing outside speaking with the mother and daughter when the father came out.
He dipped his hand in the holy water on his way out of the church and walked over and annointed his wife's forehead. Then he did the same for his daughter.

He then reached over to me, a virtual stranger, and annointed my forehead. I was left speechless and very moved and honoured. In fact, I am choking up as I write this, all this time later. My regret is I did not get his name. I know nothing about him other than he provided the most profound moment of my five trips to a Camino. I regret that I never properly expressed the appreciation I felt to him. If he, or a family member, are on this site, please know how moved I was and that I would like to exchange names with you if you were comfortable with that.

I have often thought about how many people we encounter on the Camino. Our lives touch lightly or dramatically and then we pass out of each other's life, never to meet again. How many significant possible relationships do we miss out on due to haste to get somewhere or being a little backward about coming forward socially. I am going to change my reaction to people when I get back on the Frances next Spring

 

[Renascer]

I regret washing my shoes on the first day. All it did was give me WETTER shoes until I was past Pamplona. Let them self-clean while you walk. To this day (8 years later), that was the first and last time I cleaned those shoes!



View attachment 103868

Traumatic experience eh? cool picture though.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

wonder what my Camino would have been had I started further north, even Le Puy ...

David, you would have loved it! I walked Le Puy to Auvillar. That stretch including the Cele Variant is spectacular.

 

[Renascer]

I have only one regret if you would indulge me. Approx three years ago, in a town on the Frances which I don't recall, I had supper in an albergue with three lovely people. The man and wife were from Florida and they were accompanied by their daughter from Hawaii. The man had gout and was labouring a bit with his walk. They were just lovely and interesting people. I did not get their names.

Later down the road, I met them again in a small stone church. I was standing outside speaking with the mother and daughter when the father came out.
He dipped his hand in the holy water on his way out of the church and walked over and annointed his wife's forehead. Then he did the same for his daughter.

He then reached over to me, a virtual stranger, and annointed my forehead. I was left speechless and very moved and honoured. In fact, I am choking up as I write this, all this time later. My regret is I did not get his name. I know nothing about him other than he provided the most profound moment of my five trips to a Camino. I regret that I never properly expressed the appreciation I felt to him. If he, or a family member, are on this site, please know how moved I was and that I would like to exchange names with you if you were comfortable with that.

I have often thought about how many people we encounter on the Camino. Our lives touch lightly or dramatically and then we pass out of each other's life, never to meet again. How many significant possible relationships do we miss out on due to haste to get somewhere or being a little backward about coming forward socially. I am going to change my reaction to people when I get back on the Frances next Spring

Beautiful. Thanks

 

[catheriam]

I was at the cusp of the era between boots, boots, boots and the advent of HOKA-like lighter trail shoe options, between the American Friends newsletter arriving in a stamped envelope and Google, between "a. couple of cotton t-shirts" and breathable textiles, etc., etc.

My regret is ... time. My first Camino: Too little to plan, too fast to walk, too intent on arrival, too little on "chill, wine, chat". And thus I am a repeat Comino-ite, knowing it is unpeatedly to replicate that first "rush" of "I am heeeeere!" (impossible; we've tried, right?) and "Whew, off the plane, know the drill, get Euros, unpack the poles, get the first stamp and I am off!"

Ultreya to us, lads and lassies, ultreya to us!

 

[Paul J W]

After several years and thousands of kilometres of walking CdeS routes, met great people and treasured visiting special places, I regret not having met the guy (gender neutral!) who, somehow, despite all precautions based on experience, managed to access and empty my purse at the Pobena refuge on the Camino del Norte on the night of 9 September 2015.
Had I appreciated he/she was so desperate I would gladly have helped out!
Hope they progressed well subsequently. I have!

 

[CE1948]

I regret not allowing for more time in the major cities like Leon & Pamplona etc but as it was my first Camino I was always looking ahead. I also decided to not push onto Finisterre so now my 30 day walk seems incomplete somehow. However, as I'm planning another walk this Euro Autumn I'll definitely get there this time (barring injury or accidents). Like most people I guess, I took so many photos and am only just getting around to making some sense of them all! Can I blame it on the pandemic?

 

[Chris Gi]

Yes it is for conversations and inspiration for the newbies. I have heard people telling they regret not exchanging contact info with a certain person they met. Others not having a notepad to take some notes of the experiences... or trying a certain typical food in a certain area. It is great to jump in and deeply embrace the camino and probably every single one is different. This will be my first. There is also a lot to learn from the success and regrets of each other. Myself for example, i was in Africa for a long time and never went to a Safari. Had amazing experiences there but didn't enjoy the Safari part of it. So if i was in Africa again obviously i would “not” miss the Safari.

I can empathize with that having lived in Egypt for several years in the 1970s and never making it to Upper Egypt, the Valley of the Kings, Thebes etc.

 

[Tincatinker]

Camino regrets? Carmelo from Cadiz. I met him somewhere around Santibanez de Valdeiglesia, probably in the Albergues orchard. He was smoking a spliff and I was bemoaning the fact that the only bar in town was shut. He explained that the bar was a 'casino' and would open soon. his English was as good as my Spanish so we managed. We walked the next few days together. We learned about each others preferences, me mountains, him the coast; and differences, me a contentedly retired civil servant, him a graduate and desperate for a job. In Rabanal we rummaged our packs and the kitchen cupboards and cooked ourselves an amazing feast that you will never find in a recipe book. At the Cruz Ferrol he gave me a bit of space to lay down a burden I had carried for years. At Manjarin he introduced me to Tomas and we talked for hours. And then we went in search of a drink, and a quiet smoke and somewhere on the way down to Riego I lost him. I expected to see him in the Albergue that night but didn't. Didn't see him again all the way to Santiago. And I forgot to thank him.

And all that said I long ago forgave myself that omission and I just remember that few days of companionship.

 

[Simon B]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

Walking the VDLP last year just before all the lock-downs started. I sort of ran out of steam and came home early from Zamora - just wish I had kept on going. Planning to go back next year and finish things off.

 

[Bert45]

Reminds me of the question: "When is the best time to plant a tree?"
Answer: Twenty years ago.
"When is the second best time to plant a tree?"
Answer: Now!

 

[tpmchugh]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

Big regret was giving up at Castrojeriz and flying home on Easter Sunday. Went back a few months later and finished it but I often think about what I could have done had I walked on up Mostelares. On the other hand I would not have met my best camino buddy, Mees Van der Sluijs (RIP), that September in Virgin del Camino. Obviosly it would have been great also to have heard of the pilgrimage long before 2013 when I would have been a lot younger. There have been other regrets but that Saturday morning sitting in La Taberna tossing my mind back and forth is a very vivid memory

 

[Windwomyn]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

I ended up meeting two ladies from my hometown and walked across the meseta with them and they were only going to Leon, I got sick and my spirit suffered and I ended up taking buses and trains most of the way after that. I regret not trying to walk any further, I also have a heart condition that affected my breathing and let that get to me too much. I just needed to do what I could do even if it was to the next town . I wanted to be able to climb those hills and do the whole Camino but had a hard time admitting to my limits. I missed doing the Pyrenees due to another problem and would love to at least see if I could make it to Orisson.

 

[Billy Buell]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

I regret not collecting contact info for some new friends I met along the way. There are pilgrims I enjoyed for a number of days not realizing when we parted I may never be able to reach them again.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I regret not collecting contact info for some new friends I met along the way. There are pilgrims I enjoyed for a number of days not realizing when we parted I may never be able to reach them again.

I feel the same as you. I am just thankful for the few contacts I did get...they are still friends to this day! We have had other meet ups, unrelated to the Camino.

 

[FourSeasons]

I’m always surprised when people don’t mention how hard the Camino is. Good job finding a solution that worked. The first week on el Norte shook my confidence and brought me to tears more than once.

Yes, I cried too. A lot while on del Norte. I took more rest days and spent more money than on the Frances. I made zero friends but had the pleasure of brief encounters with other pilgrims. There were places I walked past where I prayed for protection. Not speaking Spanish left me an outcast in places with locals just ignoring me. del Norte was tough on me. Oh and Deba to Markina, wow one of the worst days of my life. I paired up with a young lady (half my age) on our way out of Deba, she lead us down to a small seaside town because she wanted to take a last dip in the ocean. To say the least I was so angry because we had to climb our way back UP to the actual trail which took all my energy I had conserved for this the hardest stretch of del Norte. Not to mention I was on next to nothing sleep from the night before. Once past the last stop to get refreshments I plugged along, up and up and up. With my head down, I missed a small way marker on a tree and continued up the forest road to the top when I realized I was lost. I could see the trail on my app but couldn’t find it. I plopped down on the forest road where I cried and cried, hoping someone would hear me. I finally found the trail but had a ways to go. I ran out of water with four hours of walking ahead of me. It took me 12 hours to get to Markina...........................12 HOURS!!!!! sheesh LOL

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I loved the Norte! I had some difficult climbs, but being in a lovely foreign land and all it entailed stimulated my senses. I felt like an adventurer and a conquerer...it made me feel young!

 

[FourSeasons]

I regret spending time with people who had a drinking problem because I was afraid of being alone. They almost ruined my 1st Camino but ya live and learn.
Also regret not taking photos of the good friends I made.

I totally get the being around drunks, most become loud and obnoxious, I won't do it. On my second CF in 2016 because I didn't drink along with the younger crowd some of them labeled me as "being better than". so I was pretty much outcast. That was a tough crowd. I did distance myself a little here and there but as we all know we do tend to see the same faces at the end of the day There was one young lady from the Netherlands, Nathalie, who stood out and became an Angel to me. I remember it was my birthday and she said she would walk with me. During our first stop for cafe con leche she came out to the table with a single lit candle atop a muffin and sang happy birthday to me. I was so surprised, such a sweet gesture. Her and I ended up walking 25 miles that day due to different circumstances. No regrets.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

One more regret-- not using my camera to document with the town name and albergue where I stayed each night, to make it easier to reconstruct my memories of each leg of my Camino. That would have made it easier to time travel the Camino during the past 15 months of pandemic.

The stamps on your credential often serve that purpose.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

The stamps on your credential often serve that purpose.

Yes, I have had to refer back to those precious stamps a few times to figure out where I have stayed, and also to occasionally add pertinent input to a thread offering help or advise to future pilgrims.

 

[FourSeasons]

Yes, I have had to refer back to those precious stamps a few times to figure out where I have stayed, and also to occasionally add pertinent input to a thread offering help or advise to future pilgrims.

Yes, I do it all the time. I have my Camino memorabilia on a shelf in a curio cabinet. It's easily accessible.

 

[Windwomyn]

One more regret-- not using my camera to document with the town name and albergue where I stayed each night, to make it easier to reconstruct my memories of each leg of my Camino. That would have made it easier to time travel the Camino during the past 15 months of pandemic.

You can go on Gronze.com and look up the town and alberque and they often times have pictures of the alberque and what it looks like inside. I did this when I was making up a little booklet type thing on my IPad.

 

[GuyA]

Was thinking my biggest regret was over planning for my first Camino however... If I had not planned extensively would never have gone walking the Camino. It's that simple in hindsight as that's the way I am built, that's where my mindset was at the time and that's what I needed to do to get out the door and get started! So really can't be a regret...happily that initial Camino helped to greatly reduce the over planning on my next walk!

My one big regret was on my last Camino where I had the worst blisters after 2 days of walking out of Lisbon...seriously picture two half egg type sizes on both feet. So what did I do? Looked in my bag and picked out 2 extra large Compeed bandages which barely covered the blisters. There that should do it!

Absolutely the stupidest thing possible I could have done...that's what happens when you don't do your research on how to use a specific product. Two days later after quitting and taking the train to Porto a super nice Dr. removed the Compeeds very gingerly, did some miracle blister repair and told me to not walk for minimum 4 days and to never to do that again please!

 

[FourSeasons]

Was thinking my biggest regret was over planning for my first Camino however... If I had not planned extensively would never have gone walking the Camino. It's that simple in hindsight as that's the way I am built, that's where my mindset was at the time and that's what I needed to do to get out the door and get started! So really can't be a regret...happily that initial Camino helped to greatly reduce the over planning on my next walk!

My one big regret was on my last Camino where I had the worst blisters after 2 days of walking out of Lisbon...seriously picture two half egg type sizes on both feet. So what did I do? Looked in my bag and picked out 2 extra large Compeed bandages which barely covered the blisters. There that should do it!

Absolutely the stupidest thing possible I could have done...that's what happens when you don't do your research on how to use a specific product. Two days later after quitting and taking the train to Porto a super nice Dr. removed the Compeeds very gingerly, did some miracle blister repair and told me to not walk for minimum 4 days and to never to do that again please!

Uggg (wincing) Oh OUCH!! I can feel your pain even though I didn't get any blisters, not one. Please don't hate me. LOL

 

[Tony Bobcat]

Walked too fast, next time will be different a lot slower and take it all in.

 

[Grousedoctor]

Whether it’s a regret or not, what I learned and would do differently is to slow down. When I walked the CF, I did so without any days off. In hindsight, I should have extended my Camino by a few extra days to either enjoy some rest time in the cities or by walking shorter days. When I cycled the VDLP, I traveled too far too quickly! Again in hindsight, biking three walking stages a day or about 50 miles daily with no breaks between Sevilla and SdC was too fast! Simply covering the equivalent of two stages a day would have been more enjoyable and less exhausting. I didn’t give myself enough time to smell the roses!

 

[Mycroft]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

Dunno if I would call it a regret, but I realized afterward that I worried too much about my first Camino. Felt compelled to know what to expect, how things would be, etc etc etc. Of course I soon found the Camino just happens.

 

[Anamiri]

I was too tired to go out of my way.
I definitely regret not going to Eunate...and Samos. I was interested in seeing them both, but didn't want to take the extra time they needed.

Samos is definitely worth it, and the walk from Samos to Sarria is WAYYYY nicer than from Triacastelo

 

[Sharonih]

No regrets maybe tweaks such as more photos of the people we interacted with. Perhaps a day or two stop overs but take the tourist city tours in the places that offered them.

 

[diterry]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

In April/May 2017 walking our first camino from SJPP my husband encountered a bad clam in an otherwise delicious paella in Castrojeriz. Weak, dehydrated and humiliated he trudged over the mule killer to Fromista. From Fromista we took the bus to Palencia, train to Leon believing medical care in Leon would be “the ticket.” We spent 3 days in the Marriott in Leon, private bathroom required. On morning 3 we faced the big decision, go home or go on? With gratitude he/we were able to keep a meal down (thank you El Cortes Inglais). We arrived in Santiago and vowed in the Cathedral to return.

in 2019 we returned to Madrid; rental car to Palencia, taxi to Fromista ( the same albuerge), and walked the meseta to Leon. Vow completed, hearts singing, prayers answered, and the incense washed over us.

Was it ignorance or bias that we didn’t seek medical care in Fromista!? As the taxi dropped us off in Fromista in 2019 we saw the shining medical clinic across from the albuerge.
Que es lo que es . The camino provides.

 

[JillGat]

There were a few people I met and l kind of regret not getting their contact information. Especially the ones who shared their life dilemmas with me and I wonder what they ended up doing.

 

[Sue127]

I was too tired to go out of my way.
I definitely regret not going to Eunate...and Samos. I was interested in seeing them both, but didn't want to take the extra time they needed.

I was interested in going last year butas I got close, there was a sign saying that it was closed (Covid), disappointed for a few moments but knew my feet would be happier. It will be there next time.

 

[Kathy F.]

I do regret attempting to walk the entire first stage from SJPP to Roncesvalles. I had a reservation at Orisson, but the hospitalero at SJPP convinced us to cancel it. Big mistake. It ruined me for days after.

Lol.
‘On my first Camino, I had a reservation at Orrison. The weather turned bad, though, and the people at the pilgrim office in SJPdP advised me to walk ValCarlos instead. My heart had been set on the Napoleon BUT, having watched “The Way“ (like all the Americans on the Camino that year), I had already decided that whatever the office advised, I would do.
I asked what to do about my reservation at Orrison, they said to cancel, I might even get my money back.
I cancelled my Orrison reservation and never did learn if my money was put back into my account. I walked the entire way to Roncesvalles on the ValCarlos that day - what choice did I have??
Day one of the trek gave me confidence I didn’t have when that day started. I am still able to look back at that first day when, naive and lacking confidence, I was able to do what I shouldn’t have been able to do.
I have now walked both routes, plus some, and have no regrets
EXCEPT
that I didn’t linger a bit longer at that first coffee stop on the ValCarlos. The route was wet, cold, and muddy. In fact, when I finally stayed at Orrison, it was a bit of a let down.

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

I regret eating that "American" Hamburger in Pamplona as I got horribly sick with food poisoning which lasted until Logrono. Ugh....... I continued to move on but away from my Camino family

 

[alhartman]

Regret covers a wide range as it is our way of dealing with something we would like to undo or something we would like to do differently or something we didn’t do but wanted to—all can be small or big.



So for me, I have many small camino regrets but not a big one—just gratitude on the big side..

As a college roommate who became an oncologist and hospice specialist, said in one of our philosophical meanderings (yes, we get those off the Camino as well!!) once told me. “I have probably shared a thousand death-bed reconciliations over the years, and ‘sins of commission’ are much easier to resolve than ‘sins of omission’. I’ve never heard anyone say they wished they had spent more time at work. Everyone regrets not spending more time with family and friends.”
Even tho the word ‘bucket list’ wasn’t in the vernacular at the time, he kept a lifelong list of ‘hundred things I want to do”—even in college in 1963.

My regrettable sin of commission was SJPdP to Roncesvalles as a first day on first camino. 3 feet packed snow in pass, companion blew out knee meniscus on the decline, nearly 10 hours elapsed, tired, last two upper beds at old albergue (3 toilets, one not working, 60 snoring companions) companion passed out after dinner (and again next night at Zubiri). Had his knee drained in Pamplona and he shadowed my walk until Fromista and several times afterwards.

All my future CF starts were in Pamplona.

So, beware the sins of omission (next camino not happening ??) The sins of commission become good stories as time passes.

 

[Theatregal]

I have one regret every camino - that my Spanish, even though a little improved each time, still isn't anywhere near strong enough to have fluent conversations with the local people I meet along the way. But I get by

 

[Caminogoat]

I have only one regret if you would indulge me. Approx three years ago, in a town on the Frances which I don't recall, I had supper in an albergue with three lovely people. The man and wife were from Florida and they were accompanied by their daughter from Hawaii. The man had gout and was labouring a bit with his walk. They were just lovely and interesting people. I did not get their names.

Later down the road, I met them again in a small stone church. I was standing outside speaking with the mother and daughter when the father came out.
He dipped his hand in the holy water on his way out of the church and walked over and annointed his wife's forehead. Then he did the same for his daughter.

He then reached over to me, a virtual stranger, and annointed my forehead. I was left speechless and very moved and honoured. In fact, I am choking up as I write this, all this time later. My regret is I did not get his name. I know nothing about him other than he provided the most profound moment of my five trips to a Camino. I regret that I never properly expressed the appreciation I felt to him. If he, or a family member, are on this site, please know how moved I was and that I would like to exchange names with you if you were comfortable with that.

I have often thought about how many people we encounter on the Camino. Our lives touch lightly or dramatically and then we pass out of each other's life, never to meet again. How many significant possible relationships do we miss out on due to haste to get somewhere or being a little backward about coming forward socially. I am going to change my reaction to people when I get back on the Frances next Spring

Well, he probably felt content in anointing you, and never expected anything in return. You have the beautiful memory intact. How many times have you been disappointed when you got to know someone better? I am not saying that would have been the case, but one often looks back and fonder something could have been better if only something was done differently. More likely than not, one will never know. The fact is that you are so blessed to have that memory.

 

[FluffyDuds]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

My regret was trying to complete it as quickly as possible. I was aiming to complete the French Way in 30 days, actually did it in 23. Thoroughly enjoyed it but I missed forming friendships as I kept walking through people. Next year on the Del Norte I will just take my time.

 

[Bumpa]

Well, he probably felt content in anointing you, and never expected anything in return. You have the beautiful memory intact. How many times have you been disappointed when you got to know someone better? I am not saying that would have been the case, but one often looks back and fonder something could have been better if only something was done differently. More likely than not, one will never know. The fact is that you are so blessed to have that memory.

I am not a person who is often disappointed by the people I get to know better. I prefer to be positive. I would have done nothing differently about that moment except express more of what I felt to a person performing a kindness.
But we never know sometimes, hence the regret I expressed.

 

[Jacobus]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

a brief quote about regret that I adhere to when I am strong enough.

 

[Cicada]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

My wife and I like to keep to ourselves. We did meet some lovely people on our first Camino. Now in covid times stuck here with nowhere to go and wondering how those people are holding up I wish we had taken email addresses from those Pilgrims just to say hi and how are you going!

 

[David Tallan]

I don't know about regrets but here are things I chose to do differently.

After my first Camino in 1989, on my second Camino in 2016 I chose to walk the whole way and extend the Camino to Finisterre.

After my second Camino in 2016, on my third Camino in 2018 I had a sello (self-inking stamp) made to make it easier to share contact information with fellow pilgrims and made a point of trying to take photos or videos with fellow pilgrims and not just focus on the landscape and architecture. There were also a few things I brought on my second that I didn't use and didn't bring on my third.

My biggest regret was delaying too long on my second Camino before acquiring hiking poles in Viana. By then my knees were well and truly shot. The hiking poles allowed me to complete the Camino but I would have had a lot less pain and likely taken less ibuprofen and perhaps have avoided chronic idiopathic urticaria had I started with them.

 

[deniseketcham]

I regret not planning rest days! I had read Brierly’s introductory chapters and skimmed the rest of the guide but when my husband was booking flights I naively just counted the stages to figure out our dates for the Frances. Once we hit Burgos we realized we would need a rest day some place. We extended our days across the meseta to “make” a rest day in Leon.

I also think the stress of worrying about getting a bed made us not appreciate each step.

For working-age Americans it is so tough to have enough vacation time to walk the Camino without being stuck to deadlines. It took us years of planning to do the first one. Now I’m going back with my son and two friends from church, but can only do from Leon on due to work constraints. I have booked ahead all accommodations so that we can take more time each day.

 

[sillydoll]

I didn't have any regrets about my first Camino - until I held a Camino get-together in my city in 2003. The article I wrote in our local newspaper attracted 11 people! I was amazed because when I started to research the Camino in 1999 nobody seemed to know what it was or anything about it.
At that meeting, besides the 3 of us who had walked it, 4 people had done the Camino and 6 people wanted to do it. I asked the 4 pilgrims who had done it to tell us all about their walk. They started waxing lyrical about the wonderful refugios, sleeping in attics, blessings held around a candlelit dinner tables and communal cook-ups prepared by them and other pilgrims. I thought they must have walked on a different planet!
Our Camino was a long, hard slog from Roncesvalles to Santiago in 27 days with no rest days and definitely no romantic dinners! We had to walk at least 28km per day to make it to Santiago in time for our return flight but some days we could only walk 26km because the next albergue was another 20 km away. On other days we played catch-up and walked many day-after-day 40km stages. The only guide we had was the CSJ of UK Camino Frances book that listed 167 albergues, many very basic. If the book said "No electricity, no hot water, no beds, we said "pass" and looked for a place with a bed and a hot shower.
So, yes, I had a few regrets and although I'd ticked it off my bucket list as done and dusted, I decided to go back and walk it again because as the original poster said, there were a few things I wished we had done the first time!
I asked on this forum for members' favourite places to stay - not the most modern or upmarket (I'd been in most of those!) - the most atmospheric, spiritual and memorable. Armed with a list of 14 must-stay albergues, I walked once more from Roncesvalles, this time in 37 days, and stayed in many of the places we had passed by the first time.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Sometimes, in hindsight, we just love those "long, hard slogs", don't we.

 

[Esperanza]

I try to not have any regrets, and I don’t have any from my first (partial) CF. Maybe some things I would do differently, but nothing major.

I do have a regret from my second (partial) CF, and that is I regret not being in better health and physical shape before I began. I was still recovering from a serious, three-month-long illness and sadly very overweight. I had dug myself into a very deep hole, and I did what I could to prepare, but it wasn’t enough. I had felt compelled to do the Camino at that time, ready or not, due to the sudden and completely unexpected death of the person I planned to walk with, a dear friend of 40 years. Anyhow, due to health problems, I had to stop walking in Burgos. So I regret that. It bothers me to quit something, and it remains on my mind as unfinished business.

I have been able to channel the disappointment into determination not to have it happen again, and I have lost significant weight and am now fitter than I have been in many years. I am not sure exactly when I will return to Spain and my unfinished business, but when I do, this time I will be ready, physically and spiritually.

 

[Albertagirl]

My only regrets are for the caminos which I did not walk. After three caminos (different routes), I decided not to walk in 2018, but instead to put my camino money towards getting my teeth fixed: a very expensive project for a Canadian. My dentist did a great job, and I was able to chew just fine on the 2019 camino which followed. But, unexpectedly, there could not be a 2020 camino. Now I am in the final stages of planning for the fall of 2021, with a vivid awareness that my future caminos will be few. But it is nice to be able to eat. I expect to be able to enjoy that pleasure when my long distance walking days are past.

 

[Daniel Crowe]

Well... we all hear all the time the amazing experience that the Camino is. The people one meet, the Joy, the food, the learning, the sharing, the different culture, the openness and awakening for some...
What is that “something” you really wish you have done on your first camino that you didn't do and you regret or miss now?

I suppose a regret of mine was taking it for granted that everyday I'd wake up and do the same thing, which I really enjoyed for the most part. I was with people that I met on the Camino that ABSOLUTELY made the experience. I think I'd come to point by about the third week though where, as I said, I took it for granted and got up every morning darting to the finish line and generally started looking for more time alone because I was kind of done with it.

Of course we all need alone time, I just think that on reflection I could have stayed with it - the experience - a bit more than I did. I've wanted nothing but to go back for the last three years, such was the impact it actually had on me. But. I have the Del Norte booked for this September, so I can take that lesson with me.

 

[David Tallan]

I try to not have any regrets, and I don’t have any from my first (partial) CF. Maybe some things I would do differently, but nothing major.

I do have a regret from my second (partial) CF, and that is I regret not being in better health and physical shape before I began. I was still recovering from a serious, three-month-long illness and sadly very overweight. I had dug myself into a very deep hole, and I did what I could to prepare, but it wasn’t enough. I had felt compelled to do the Camino at that time, ready or not, due to the sudden and completely unexpected death of the person I planned to walk with, a dear friend of 40 years. Anyhow, due to health problems, I had to stop walking in Burgos. So I regret that. It bothers me to quit something, and it remains on my mind as unfinished business.

I have been able to channel the disappointment into determination not to have it happen again, and I have lost significant weight and am now fitter than I have been in many years. I am not sure exactly when I will return to Spain and my unfinished business, but when I do, this time I will be ready, physically and spiritually.

If you still have your credencial, you can bring it with you on your next Camino, start with a stamp in Burgos and carry on from there. Many Europeans walk the Camino this way, stopping somewhere along the way and picking up again from there in a future year.

 

[Esperanza]

If you still have your credencial, you can bring it with you on your next Camino, start with a stamp in Burgos and carry on from there. Many Europeans walk the Camino this way, stopping somewhere along the way and picking up again from there in a future year.

Thanks for the suggestion. Hubby and I have considered many possibilities, including empezar de cero in SJPDP, Roncevalles, and Pamplona. Burgos is out because I missed too much of that section between Logroño and Burgos while sick and miserable before I actually quit. Current thinking is Pamplona, but we still have plenty of time to change our minds - again.

 

[Frank Wortley]

Sometimes seems like something is a regret right there but maybe it is the experience to help us learn and overcome something and other times something that we don't give importance at the moment, later on can become a regret.

I agree. I was dissapointed in myself on my last Camino. On reflection and on seeing the outcome of that total experience and its benefits to since then I now think it went just fine.