AlexanderCook
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- June 2024
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Alexander,Good evening, everyone:
I have recently returned from walking the Camino Frances from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela, my first Camino. It was a deeply moving experience for me and one which I am still actively processing ten days out from my return.
Two days prior to the end of the Camino in Santiago, I knew that I'd like to walk again - whether a section of the Frances, the Portuguese route or the Via De La Plata - and that has not changed since returning home. In fact, the urge to walk Camino is even stronger now. It has definitely been an adjustment to return to "the real world". Anyone else struggle with shaking off the Camino? How'd you get over it/cope with it?
Also, I walked my first Camino with a church group. I'd appreciate recommendations for my next Camino - should I go alone? Which route or which sections of which route? (I'll likely be restricted to about 7 to 10 days in terms of time off.)
As always, thank you for the advice. Buen Camino.
Def go solo!Good evening, everyone:
I have recently returned from walking the Camino Frances from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela, my first Camino. It was a deeply moving experience for me and one which I am still actively processing ten days out from my return.
Two days prior to the end of the Camino in Santiago, I knew that I'd like to walk again - whether a section of the Frances, the Portuguese route or the Via De La Plata - and that has not changed since returning home. In fact, the urge to walk Camino is even stronger now. It has definitely been an adjustment to return to "the real world". Anyone else struggle with shaking off the Camino? How'd you get over it/cope with it?
Also, I walked my first Camino with a church group. I'd appreciate recommendations for my next Camino - should I go alone? Which route or which sections of which route? (I'll likely be restricted to about 7 to 10 days in terms of time off.)
As always, thank you for the advice. Buen Camino.
Alexander,Good evening, everyone:
I have recently returned from walking the Camino Frances from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela, my first Camino. It was a deeply moving experience for me and one which I am still actively processing ten days out from my return.
Two days prior to the end of the Camino in Santiago, I knew that I'd like to walk again - whether a section of the Frances, the Portuguese route or the Via De La Plata - and that has not changed since returning home. In fact, the urge to walk Camino is even stronger now. It has definitely been an adjustment to return to "the real world". Anyone else struggle with shaking off the Camino? How'd you get over it/cope with it?
Also, I walked my first Camino with a church group. I'd appreciate recommendations for my next Camino - should I go alone? Which route or which sections of which route? (I'll likely be restricted to about 7 to 10 days in terms of time off.)
As always, thank you for the advice. Buen Camino.
Personally, I prefer to go alone. That doesn't mean you wont walk with others, but I loved the first few hours of being alone most mornings.Good evening, everyone:
I have recently returned from walking the Camino Frances from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela, my first Camino. It was a deeply moving experience for me and one which I am still actively processing ten days out from my return.
Two days prior to the end of the Camino in Santiago, I knew that I'd like to walk again - whether a section of the Frances, the Portuguese route or the Via De La Plata - and that has not changed since returning home. In fact, the urge to walk Camino is even stronger now. It has definitely been an adjustment to return to "the real world". Anyone else struggle with shaking off the Camino? How'd you get over it/cope with it?
Also, I walked my first Camino with a church group. I'd appreciate recommendations for my next Camino - should I go alone? Which route or which sections of which route? (I'll likely be restricted to about 7 to 10 days in terms of time off.)
As always, thank you for the advice. Buen Camino.
Thank you for your advice.Alexander,
Welcome. Many of us have experienced exactly what you’re feeling if that’s a consolation. I’ve now walked 3 Camino’s including the Francés, Inglés and the Aragónes/Francés all offer different things and experiences.
Parts of the Francés that you’ve not experienced offer some beautiful cities and rural experiences.
The Inglés is an interesting route and Betanzos is a wonderful city. Very different than what you experienced.
In April, we started the Aragónes in France, part of the Chemin d’Arles, over the Somport Pass and then across Aragón to Puente la Reina. Much more remote, rugged and beautiful.
You could do any stretch of the Francés, the entire Inglés or the Aragónes in 7-10 days. There are so many options besides these.
What do you want in your Camino? Some of the routes are more challenging, some less so be aware of that.
If you never return to Spain, your Camino always continues, if you want it to.
Dawsie:You got the itch then?
It will never leave you. Members of your family will think you mad. But you will go again, and again.
I strongly recommend travelling alone next time. Your first experience was probably constantly with the same group of friends throughout.
Travel alone, talk to fellow pilgrims, make new friends, come back stronger and better.
And go again.
My personal objective is to walk a Camino when aged 80.
Tom - Great idea re keeping the gear packed. I have no doubt that I'll be back - in some sense, do we ever really leave the Camino? Buen Camino.You WILL be back. Most of us start planning our next Camino as soon as we unpack, clean then repack our rucksacks at home. I have found that he easiest way to store all my Camino gear is to keep it packed - except for things that are also used at home. I keep a list of those items at the top of the rucksack so I have a final packing checklist.
Hope this helps. It works for me.
Tom
Re: "ailment ":Yup our strength lies in (comiserating) numbersSince you are on the US, check to see if there is an American Pilgrims chapter near you. You'll find others with the same "ailment" as you
Local Chapters - American Pilgrims on the Camino
If you are seeking information about COVID-19 or the situation in Spain, please see the COVID-19: What You Should Know page. Our local chapter coordinators continue to consult state and local public health authorities for current guidance and recommended COVID-19 precautions in their area...americanpilgrims.org
There are many routes that I’ve not walked but friends have. If solitude is what you’re looking for you may want to consider the Primativo, Via de la Plata or the shorter Sanabres. The route I walked this year starting in Oloron, France and joining the Aragónes at Somport to Puente La Reina may be a good choice. We saw a total of 11 other pilgrims in 9 days which added to our shock when we joined the CF. Many opportunities and there are forum readers who know some of these routes better than I do. Good luck, keep walking.Thank you for your advice.
For my next Camino I'd prefer more solitude and a more rural setting. I thoroughly enjoyed walking through the small villages on the Camino Frances and would appreciate a future Camino where nature is more prevalent. I am not opposed to a more rugged Camino, and perhaps might welcome it.
I appreciate and look forward to hearing your thoughts in light of the above. Take care.
I always felt that the Camino became part of my life, on or off-Camino. It significantly affected my personality, mental health, religious practice, and attitude towards other people and life in general. On the whole, a 'win-win" for all aspects of my life.Tom - Great idea re keeping the gear packed. I have no doubt that I'll be back - in some sense, do we ever really leave the Camino? Buen Camino.
Thank you very much for the resource. Take care,Alexander,
I know exactly what you are feeling. I’ve been home 2 months and I still can’t get over how amazing my experience was but also there is still a sadness in me that I can’t quite shake off. Someone mentioned in this thread about living in the moment and that is what I am learning to do. I will be back in 2026. This forum is amazing and helped me cope when I was feeling out of sorts when I completed my Camino. Maybe you can find comfort from my post. Here is the link..
Thanks for the advice, Richard. I'll certainly try and aim for a longer Camino next time. I was just getting into the rhythm of the Camino on Day 6 and we had to depart on Day 7, so I think a longer Camino would be beneficial.My recommendation is to walk alone and walk for at least 3 weeks (if you can).
Thanks, Lindsay.Hi Alexander. The Camino can be a very intense experience and coming back to the 'real world' can seem like a let down and easing back into your usual routine can take a while. Planning your next Camino can certainly help. I would suggest walking alone next time as I think you would meet more people an have a better experience than with a large group. The Camino Ingles is a fairly short route you could complete in the time you ave available, or a section of the Portuguese from Porto or the Sanabres from Ourense. Plenty of others to choose from as well. Buen Camino!
As you rightly point out the Inglès is short, but it's most definitely enjoyable. Very well supported in terms of infrastructure, a little more Road walking than I like but it's nearly all rural roads, with very little if any traffic. Popular ( increasingly so) so you will not want for company except perhaps right at the very beginning or end of the year. A good mix of terrain and scenery. I did it at the very beginning of April last year, absolutely loved it.Thanks, Lindsay.
I will definitely walk alone next time, that's been decided.
I'm already thinking about the Ingles. Thoughts re the route?
That said, anyone else have any thoughts on hiking the Ingles? I have been researching the route (starting from Ferrol instead of A Coruna, though I'd be curious as to anyone's thoughts on either starting point) and it may be a contender for a second Camino (appears fairly rural, doesn't take as long to walk as other routes et cetera).
Buen Camino, all.
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