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There is no dishonor in going that way!
It is a nasty bridge, but the views from it over the Eo estuary are gorgeous (I was going to say "to die for", but that might be insensitive):
We walked back over that bridge in a howling gale (and it wasn't a pleasant experience) and found our way around the ria (thank you google maps and wikiloc) onto the ruta historica (historic route). That was well worth the effort. It is a quiet, beautiful variant with few pilgrims and crying out to be followed more. By the way, Aymeric Picaud, supposed author of the Codex Calextinus, had some very harsh words to say about ferrymen so there is a precedent, given that the bridge is only a few decades old. Admittedly they weren't Galician or Asturian ferrymen but he wasn't particularly nice about Asturians or Galicians either. You could get the taxi to the historic route. Think about it. There is another post about earlier in this thread. you could get the taxi to Vegadeo which, pre-Covid, had a lovely little albergue.
Yes.
Not irrational at all. If you fear heights then you fear heights. Haven't crossed this one but the Portomarin bridge gives me pause. Last time I crossed it the water was exceptionally low so I walked practically sideways staring at the tarmac a few feet away from me.
LOL. But probably the best advice to give.
Good suggestions all. On my last foray (boy was the water low that year!) I had a friend behind me making sure I didn't get crowded; stared at the tarmac and counted steps to 4 over and over again then as we closed on the otherside, shifted my focus to the steps and archway leading into town.LOL. But probably the best advice to give.
There's a difference between acrophobia (fear of heights) and "distance vertigo" or "height vertigo" which is something that many people can experience in some situations. As far as I know it has to do with peripheral vision, i.e. lack of close fixed objects in your peripheral vision. I don't experience it on bridges but sometimes in cable cars in the mountains. I look either at my feet or at the mountain side right in front of me when it is close. But usually I enjoy the glorious views all around me.
So where should he look at while crossing the bridge? At his feet? At the shadow of the metal fence on the pavement perhaps? Touching the metal fence? Crossing the bridge with someone walking right in front of him and staring at their backpack? Or concentrate on what in his mind? There must be better advice than I crossed it and it wasn't so bad?
Breathe.
Nothing better than walking with a rush!! It is very unusual and you can feel your blood going up your head and then going down. This feeling gives you a sense of plenitude and emptyness one after the other. It will last two or three times before is gone, and then you just walk like a zombie. No matter what is around or how high or low is your support.
Bravo, @Chef66! I used to have what was probably not a clinical fear of flying but I just really suffered a lot. I remember once my husband looked at me, clearly annoyed by my grabbing his knee yet again, and said -- come on, this is just in your head! Well, duh, of course that’s where it is — that’s where all irrational fears are! I thought that was the most unhelpful comment I had heard, but I can report that I don’t get anxious much at all on the plane anymore. I’m pretty sure some of it has to do with the fact that i no longer torment myself by wondering who will take care of my kids if I die, since they are both in their late 30s now.
Fear is a subjective feeling, very real to each person. You may be able to do some things that other people can only dream of, I believe walking to Santiago is one of them. I have close friends who think that I am out of my mind to walk 500 miles alone, and they will never do it unless their lives are dependent upon it. So, if you don't feel comfortable walking the bridge, why not find a way that is comfortable for you? You don't have to prove anything to anyone. No one who loves you will think any less of you just because you prefer not to walk the bridge. Buen Camino.
This is very strange, but true. I looked this up, and it's fascinating.
I did the Tandem Romberg test right away after reading the article. I already start to wobble after a few seconds when my eyes are closed !!! In my defence, I know that I find it more difficult to keep my balance now that I am older.
Same.
That helps me a lot too. I leave good instructions about where all the important documents are, and now I can breathe easy on the flight.
Your video was great, and the comments helpful. Do you feel that you could do it any more easily if you had to do it again?
Yay!
Thank you! Yes I only held onto the outer rail with an outstretched hand. My body was firmly on the inner side! Yes a few more feet on the outer barrier (akin to the inner) would make all the difference. That’s the key for me!!
Thank you! Yes I was unsure whether I would walk and I think the mental build up the whole day got me onto a zone where I managed it. Waking up this morning this morning thinking ‘could I do it again’ .. well I have no idea!
I hate all the bridges, especially the ones going over the motorways. Put your head down and put one foot in front of another. Take deep breaths, counting if you will and dont look over the sides. Good luck.
It was a good idea to have your backpack out of the way when crossing the bridge and in order to be able to walk towards the bridge and over it quickly. We will add this to our catalogue of general forum recommendations.
I did, too, until my 40s... until I went out the door of a plane a few times. Doing that seems to have provided a measurable "cure." Although still not fond of ladders or scaffolding, I've found that I can walk along cliffs and over tall bridges with only mild discomfort. I realize what I've done isn't a cure for everyone, but like you, facing a fear and overcoming it seems to lessen the hold it has on you.
Thank you. Yes I wondered why I favoured the drop to the right. I am right handed and that feels my natural side, in terms of the side I am in control of more!!It was a good idea to have your backpack out of the way when crossing the bridge and in order to be able to walk towards the bridge and over it quickly. We will add this to our catalogue of general forum recommendations.
I also noticed that you consciously picked the side of the bridge where the ‘drop’ is on your right side. I would do the same and wonder whether it has to do with right handedness/left handedness or simply conditioning (I live in continental Europe).
Thank you! I did a bungee jump a few years back but sadly not a cure. I have a video of it and it shows me smiling at the camera pre jump without seemingly a care on the world tho it was undoubtably the scariest moment of my life!!
I pretty much fell over immediately!
I don't have a phobia about this, but I would choose to walk with the drop on my left. As it happens, I am left-handed.
I don’t know! It’s interesting. I was so ‘zoned out’ I didn’t even notice the traffic or even relate to any noises! I was almost in a trance I guess. This helped me. I looked ahead a few times to see if anyone was approaching, and how far to go, but that was my limit of ‘contact’ with what was going on a round me! The more you think about it the interesting it gets!I pretty much fell over immediately!
I don't have a phobia about this, but I would choose to walk with the drop on my left. As it happens, I am left-handed.
Couldn't conditioning explain either side - walking facing the traffic, or walking with the traffic?
Congrats! In 2011 I took a simiilar approach focusing on the road side fence. Arms by my side in natural walking rhythm. I also counted my steps as I took them up to 100 then started back at zero. Seemed to help. Don’t ask me the # of steps I took. I was so happy to be across! Also my pace naturally quickened as I sensed “safety” was closer.
Hahaha, I assume you mean that green, metal cycle/pedestrian, Frankenstein's architect brother bridge on entering Astorga ...
No. If you hit the hot link in blue type you can read my adventure re the Leon bridge.
Aha, ok, my bad. I don't recall that high bridge you mention. I remember a muddy, dusty scramble down a hill and some low bridges. Maybe I took a different route.
Omg I sympathize with you. I have the same issue and I remember the day that it was apparent I had to cross that bridge on foot. Yikes. I seriously considered going around but I was to exhausted to try. I kept my head down and did not look out and started to jogg across. Which with a back pack is not easy. I want lie. It was very difficult and my friends had gone ahead earlier so they were watching me cross the bridge from afar. When I met up with them said said Keith why on earth were you running across that bridge. I confessed my fear of heights and then they understood. It can be done. Stay present and keep your head down. Good luck I'm sure you will do it.
Good strategy
Hello there, I have a fear of bridges and that one did scare me. I did it by putting one foot in front of the other, holding onto the sides and talking to myself. View video here.
Yes it took me a while to get used to those!
Absolutely fantastic video! Especially the first 30
Thank you! It’s good to hear that I wasn’t the only one who felt that way!
