Rating caminos on the Fun Scale

[Anthony Rocco]

I had never heard of The Fun Scale until recently. It has become a lively topic of conversation and reminiscences over beers with friends. We had so much "fun" that we decided to apply it to caminos we have walked. I won't divulge what we concluded, but I would love to hear from others. While no camino I have walked ever rated as Type III, passing the markers on caminos of those who did not make it is prima facie evidence it does exist. Here's a modification of how REI describes the Fun Scale to fit the camino:

Type I Fun​

Type 1 fun is enjoyable while it’s happening. Also known as, simply, fun. Good experiences, companionship, food, drink, culture...so much fits Type 1 fun on a camino.

Type II Fun​

Type 2 fun is miserable while it’s happening, but fun in retrospect. It usually begins with the best intentions, but then things turn south. My partner sliding down a hill of mud on the Camino Primitivo is one of so many camino misadventures we love to reminisce about.

Type III Fun​

Type 3 fun is not fun at all. Not even in retrospect. Afterward, you think, “What in the hell was I doing? If I ever come up with another idea that stupid, somebody slap some sense into me.”

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Not to be the prim old lady, but I have a great respect for the camino as a spiritual journey. It's a holy experience in a sacred place. Rating it on a "fun scale" would be like asking which religious group has the most entertaining worship services. Sure, you can go there for a fun holiday, but that's really not the point of the place.

 

[naplesdon]

What I have seen is it depends on your age and maturity. You can be a complete a..hole like you are on a college spring break or you can consider Reb's advice. As the mantra goes: it is your Camino!

 

[RJM]

I have to say, I never thought of walking the Camino as a "fun" thing to do. I have definitely enjoyed every Camino I have walked despite the sometimes bad weather etc. I suppose it would rate for me a zero on the imaginary scale as I don't walk it to have.
When I think about fun trips I've taken it is more along the lines of partying with my mates on liberty call/shore leave in the military. I suppose that would rate high on the fun scale for me, though the shore patrol never thought so lol. Mind you I was so much younger then.

 

[Anthony Rocco]

Not to be the prim old lady, but I have a great respect for the camino as a spiritual journey. It's a holy experience in a sacred place. Rating it on a "fun scale" would be like asking which religious group has the most entertaining worship services. Sure, you can go there for a fun holiday, but that's really not the point of the place.

We are primarily religious, spiritual and cultural camino walkers, so the idea of the camino as fun never really occured to us. But when we heard about this, we realized we did have countless times of fun on the camino. I hope you did as well. To be honest, we keep the religious and spiritual aspects to ourselves, while we reminisce most about the cultural...and yes, the fun...times.

The camino provides...so much to so many people in so many ways.!

 

[Rebekah Scott]

de nada. The joy of the Lord keeps us strong. Shout for joy!