Reluctant pilgrim returns

[KLM72]

When I ended my first camino in Leon due to illness in 2022, I came to peace with it and decided it WAS my full camino and I was also certain I was one and done. I told everyone exactly that- I had no need to ever do another camino. Never needed to do THAT again. Except of course, a few months later I felt absolutely pulled by forces beyond my control to book another trip to Spain for the following year. I wasn't exactly happy that I needed to go walk again, but who am I to tell the Camino no? So in 2023 I went back and finished in SDC and it was an amazing, beautiful journey and I was so glad I went back!! But I was done. I had done it! No need to ever do that again. Nothing could ever compare, right?

Well now its been almost a full year since my arrival in Santiago de Compostela so of course what naturally happens? I begin to feel a call again. I thought, okay self, I'll head to one of the shorter routes- perhaps the Portugese? Maybe the end bits of the Norte? I flirted with the winter route. But all the while I kept trying to compare them to the full Frances and finally yesterday I groaned and admitted defeat, and booked my flight to Madrid for next year and conceded I'm doing the Frances- again. Apparently I didn't learn all of the lessons it wanted me to learn?

I truly never imagined I'd be one of those people who went back again and again. When I met pilgrims who'd returned multiple times, I wondered "WHY?!" I also never thought that by walking once, I'd think about this journey So.Danged.Often. But here I am.

See you on the trail in May!

 

[Robo]

My Name is Rob. I'm a CaminoHolic.
My last Camino was over a year ago, and I've already planned my next three!
Why? I'm not sure I'll ever really know.
Welcome to the Club.........

Now let's talk about shoes, and packs, and poles.......

 

[domigee]

You’re not on your own And there is no explanation…

 

[Turga]

As the the old song goes: "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave....."

 

[Bernard000]

First Camino was in 2018, I walked from Pamplona to Santiago. The next year, I wanted to walk from SJPP to Pamplona, then bus to Irun to do the Norte. After Roncesvalles, I decided to stay on the Frances again for 2 years in a row. You won't regret it! I just finished my 12th Camino this summer!

 

[K_Lynn]

Oh no! That's terrible! I'm so sorry you are being dragged back to Camino!

Wishing you a hearty Buen Camino!

 

[Leigharev]

When I ended my first camino in Leon due to illness in 2022, I came to peace with it and decided it WAS my full camino and I was also certain I was one and done. I told everyone exactly that- I had no need to ever do another camino. Never needed to do THAT again. Except of course, a few months later I felt absolutely pulled by forces beyond my control to book another trip to Spain for the following year. I wasn't exactly happy that I needed to go walk again, but who am I to tell the Camino no? So in 2023 I went back and finished in SDC and it was an amazing, beautiful journey and I was so glad I went back!! But I was done. I had done it! No need to ever do that again. Nothing could ever compare, right?

Well now its been almost a full year since my arrival in Santiago de Compostela so of course what naturally happens? I begin to feel a call again. I thought, okay self, I'll head to one of the shorter routes- perhaps the Portugese? Maybe the end bits of the Norte? I flirted with the winter route. But all the while I kept trying to compare them to the full Frances and finally yesterday I groaned and admitted defeat, and booked my flight to Madrid for next year and conceded I'm doing the Frances- again. Apparently I didn't learn all of the lessons it wanted me to learn?

I truly never imagined I'd be one of those people who went back again and again. When I met pilgrims who'd returned multiple times, I wondered "WHY?!" I also never thought that by walking once, I'd think about this journey So.Danged.Often. But here I am.

See you on the trail in May!

I resonate with your post so hard. Just walked Leon to SdC in September and I’m feeling all the feelings of wanting/needing to go back.

 

[alexwalker]

Welcome to the Caminoholics Anonymous society...

 

[Juspassinthru]

Yes, completed my 3rd in May, thought I could resist the temptation. As soon as I get back from #4, I’m going to quit and join a CA group. Because GA (Gelato Anonymous) has worked so well, said no one, ever.

Let’s face it, we’re hopeless