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

 

[emmanuel]

After 12 Caminos, I always go back home promising myself "Never again". Two months later I am perusing maps and adding distances. Four months later, I am looking for a cheap flight. Six months later I begin adding km's to my normal training. One year later, I am sitting on a plane waiting for the magic to begin. I assume it will be thus until I run out of savings or lose a modicum of mobility. Which feels me with joy and gratitude in my waning years that I found such a monumental way to make up for so much time spent chained to a desk.

 

[Juspassinthru]

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

You forgot the best part:

"We are all just prisoners here, of our own device"

I don't consider this an old song...

 

[Camo]

"We are all just prisoners here, of our own device"

"some walk (dance) to remember, some walk to forget"

 

[Juspassinthru]

"some walk (dance) to remember, some walk to forget"

Now I have that darn song playing in my head. Who started this?

 

[domigee]

I blame @Turga lol

 

[Turga]

Now I have that darn song playing in my head.

Worse things could happen - bless you!

 

[Camo]

Worse things could happen - bless you!

Yes it is simply a classic song where most people kinda know the meaning but can't explain it - so very much like a Camino in a way and yes "we haven't had that spirit here since 1969"

 

[Gerdi]

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!

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 had a similiar experience . Right after finishing the Frances in April/May 2022, I thought that's it. One time is enough , and I was wondering why pilgrims have been repeating it. However, starting 7-8 months later I noticed that I am getting the feeling to do it once again.

So, I thought about the reason for it. Of course, there is a religious, spiritual or other need for doing the Camino initially. But why doing it again, and why so many from us?

My personal conclusion is that the Camino is like living in a very defined bubble. Day-by-day challenges and problems, politics, world challenges become blurred. The focus is quite simple on making it to the next stage, including the care of the body and getting an accommodation. With everyone having the same goal to reach Santiago and taking on the hardship, it leads very fast to the Camino community (family). Also something unique not experienced in the daily life. This overall simplicity might be the necessary base for deep personal reflections on past, present and future.

Just my thoughts. Did I say, that I am also planning to go next year again .

 

[Camo]

However, starting 7-8 months later I noticed that I am getting the feeling to do it once again.

OK so was it another 7 to 8 months on subsequent trips or do you think it becomes a "habit"?

 

[Juspassinthru]

OK so was it another 7 to 8 months on subsequent trips or do you think it becomes a "habit"?

Some of us are just restless souls…