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Absolutely no need to be. Disconnect the whole day and switch on, from say to 5pm to 6pm every evening, just to check that the rest of the world hasn't been nuked in the meantime, and to check any messages, reply to any that need replying to, and switch off again. That's what I do. I just can't walk a camino "connected".
Though I like to be connected, I agree with above…1 hr max and think early evening is a good time and given you are from USA should work well time difference wise.
I do the same, only my son can reach me. Normally, that's 22.00/ 7.30 daily. On Camino my phone is on 'do not disturb' 24/7. It doesn't stop me using the phone should I wish to, but it stops the world bugging me.
Me too. I walked my first Camino without a mobile phone or internet access. Just two or three landline calls home from payphones along the way. But people have become very accustomed to live instant connections these days. Once that becomes a routine part of your life it can be difficult to break that pattern. Especially if other people are making demands on your time.
Another good reason to disconnect! Much healthier
Well done!
Well done!
I'm filled with compassion when I see your list (not being facetious...). And it's a reality check for me, clearly of another generation. Of your 10 items, I only have 2½ (whatsapp is a new acquisition, hardly used on purpose).
So I put an away message on my one email account, and just ignore the signal and whatsapp.
You have much more to unhook from. Respect.
Remove communication apps and email accounts that you don't need from the phone.
I blogged at the end of each day, and I love my photos which I'd post the odd few on my Instagram story when I stopped for a bit through the day. The photos would also then go on the end of day blog post(on FB for family and friends who wished to follow). Even the blog was stretching my time resources some days as chatting and sharing beers and meals with fellow pilgrims was far more inviting - and actually trying to write after several beers/vinos never tended to end well for me, although did amuse those on my FB. And, everyday I would worry about what I'd put on my blog in the evening, but I always found I had too much by the end of the day such was the magic and beauty of everything and everyone around me.
The first 14 days I set my smartphone to flightmode while walking, excepting the GPS to track my path.
Possibly cheeky of me to say so but you may want to use your walk and detox as a catalyst to review your social media accounts, who you have apps for, even unsubscribing from the constant emails.
I have a very good map app (OSMand) that works offline. I read the map manually (without GPS) so don't even need to have the phone's location turned on. If you want the GPS, just turn your notifications off...
I chose to be almost completely unplugged in order to allow things to enter during the quiet. This meant that my phone was on airplane mode all day so I could still take pictures. I had arranged with my wife that I would call her using WhatsApp once per day and, that we agreed we would not speak about current events. Just update on each other's lives and the day's walk on the Camino. I chose not to log into any social media(facebook, instagram, etc.) and my closest friends and family knew not to expect anything from me until I was finished with my Camino Frances.
What I did during my caminos, I only used my gizmos as safety and security devices. Prior to my walk I advised family and friends that I will contact them at the end of the day, time permitting, and/or unless something drastic happened. It is amazing how liberating, envigorating, and refreshing to hear just your foot steps, sounds of the winds and fields, and maybe, occasional "Buen Camino" but not phone notifications or ring tones in the middle of long stretches in the meseta or in the serenity of vineyards or wheatfields. Buen Camino.
This just appeared on a Facebook group that I follow. Seems the author feels that walking a pilgrimage without a smartphone is such an extraordinary radical concept that it deserves an exclamation mark....
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I had a GPS tracking device with satellite SMS. People who knew about it could go online and find out where I was—if I gave them the password. I could send SMS or e-mail and receive them from people to whom I had told the phone number. It also had an “SOS” button which supposedly would get emergency response anywhere in the world. But no web-surfing or social media or gaming.
Like a Garmin inreach mini? Would never have thought of taking it on Camino but what an excellent idea. Weather, maps, connectivity but no Media - brilliant!
It was deLorme inReach Explorer, but Germin bought deLorme and still sells a newer version of the Explorer. But there are competing devices.
Just curious … I was “connected” by satellite, but with a cell phone, aren’t you “disconnected” between villages even if the thing is turned on? If so, here’s a tip: when the cell towers are not available (or weak signal) the phone increase the power trying harder to reach them, thereby draining the battery faster. SO, if it says “no service,” you might as well turn it off unless you’re using it for GPS.
On the main Caminos mobile phone coverage is very good and you will very rarely be out of signal range between towns and villages. Even on the Via de la Plata dead zones were extremely rare. Even so I usually have my phone in airplane mode and with GPS disabled to save power but have my camera quickly available.
I like the fact that my phone embeds time and location into each image with
The only addendum I’d make to that is that even if you are in a “no service” area for your provider, if you are in an emergency situation, your phone will connect with any provider that has service where you are.
