SJPdP May - first camino

[MamaBear]

I’m living in Texas now but speak fluent Spanish as I was born and lived my childhood in Uruguay. I’m catholic but now attend Protestant church - strong faith and the history of the pilgrims is what brings me to my first and the original way. My trail name MamaBear: three years ago I backpacked the John Muir Trail and this old lady had two cubs 20-30 years younger friends we met online. My name is Liz. I’m slow and steady, love nature culture and of course God. I wear hearing aids and if you say hi from behind and I jump I maybe listening to something ! But you will see the biggest smile on this planet. Buen Camino

 

[Dani7]

Welcome to the forum. Wishing you a memorable
« first » camino. It may not be your one and only. Buen camino.

 

[MamaBear]

Three friends already invited me to do the Camino they would like to do …. So may join them another year. Nobody wanted the Frances though … it’s ok alone with many new friends I plan to meet is fantastic

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Welcome to the forum Liz. In case you missed this concurrent thread here is some of what you may be seeing:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/whats-in-bloom-in-may.89996/​

There are plenty of other things to see here too.

Oh, trail names aren't a thing on the caminos.

 

[MamaBear]

Thank you - noted

 

[James van Hemert]

I’m living in Texas now but speak fluent Spanish as I was born and lived my childhood in Uruguay. I’m catholic but now attend Protestant church - strong faith and the history of the pilgrims is what brings me to my first and the original way. My trail name MamaBear: three years ago I backpacked the John Muir Trail and this old lady had two cubs 20-30 years younger friends we met online. My name is Liz. I’m slow and steady, love nature culture and of course God. I wear hearing aids and if you say hi from behind and I jump I maybe listening to something ! But you will see the biggest smile on this planet. Buen Camino

View attachment 182847

Love the photo of you sitting by your tent!

 

[Damien Reynolds]

three years ago I backpacked the John Muir Trail

Very cool. I've hiked the JMT 3 times and might have been there when you were. My trail name is Stinky Fish btw.

Some differences you'll notice on the CF vs. JMT...

1) Way lighter backpack!
2) Real food everyday!
3) No water filtration req'd on CF
4) Warm showers everyday!
5) No complicated "resupply" strategies
6) Uninterrupted cell service
7) No wearing dirty underwear for days straight on the CF
8) You will have to walk on asphalt (so you should be used to it before hand)
9) The demographics on the camino skew a little older
10) No cat holes on the CF (well, unless its an emergency!)

Some similarities you'll notice

a) It is a physical challenge
b) The people you will meet are generally Very Cool (although with more "international" backgrounds)...

Buen camino!

 

[CTLawGal]

Welcome! Very cool that you've walked the JMT, way beyond my competence level, ha! Although never having done a hike like that, I would add that I've concluded that the Camino might be best walked alone, or especially your first Camino - I'm sure you'll meet tons of people and likely make many friends (and hopefully there won't be too many startles from behind). And for many of the reasons noted by @Damien Reynolds, it's a pretty safe route to walk solo. I think there's a different dynamic than when you start with one or more friends or with a spouse. It seems easier to meet others when you're on your own instead of an existing group, which can be harder to penetrate. This is purely my own observation based on a single solo Camino, and this view might be prejudiced by my own shyness or reluctance to intrude on an existing conversation. For sure I became a "third" at many different points, but I found it easier to slide into being a "second", joining with another solo walker for part of the walk. I also enjoy the solitude of walking by myself, so that may also color my view. Others are likely to disagree - lots of strong opinions here on this Forum (a good thing)!

Buen Camino!

 

[Juspassinthru]

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/whats-in-bloom-in-may.89996/
Oh, trail names aren't a thing on the caminos.

Well, I disagree @Rick of Rick and Peg, on my first CF there were a lot of Camino names. First there were the easy ones, Keith from Texas (me). The group I came with, all from Texas, collectively known as the Texans. There were the Professors, Ph.D. Instructors, the Kiwi’s, 3, guesses as to where they were from. While they were different than “trail” names, they served the same purpose, a way to remember people. There were no last names that I remember though. One guy this year was Montana Bob, Bob from Montana just didn’t work. In Ruesta, my friend and I, Nigel from Ireland became Tex & Nacho. Long story but I like it.

So @MamaBear, go with what works for you.

BTW, I knew their names too

 

[trecile]

Well, I disagree @Rick of Rick and Peg, on my first CF there were a lot of Camino names. First there were the easy ones, Keith from Texas (me). The group I came with, all from Texas, collectively known as the Texans. There were the Professors, Ph.D. Instructors, the Kiwi’s, 3, guesses as to where they were from. While they were different than “trail” names, they served the same purpose, a way to remember people. There were no last names that I remember though. One guy this year was Montana Bob, Bob from Montana just didn’t work. In Ruesta, my friend and I, Nigel from Ireland became Tex & Nacho. Long story but I like it.

So @MamaBear, go with what works for you.

BTW, I knew their names too

But did they introduce themselves with those names or were they the names that you and your friends came up for them as a kind of shorthand? I think that if @MamaBear introduced herself as Mama Bear on the Camino rather than her given name that people would think it a bit odd. I know that happened with a guy on the Norte last year who introduced himself with his Appalachian Trail name.

 

[Juspassinthru]

But did they introduce themselves with those names or were they the names that you and your friends came up for them as a kind of shorthand? I think that if @MamaBear introduced herself as Mama Bear on the Camino rather than her given name that people would think it a bit odd. I know that happened with a guy on the Norte last year who introduced himself with his Appalachian Trail name.

Good point, a little of both if I remember correctly. From my backpacking days, I was often referred to by my trail name which was given to me and I used both as time went by. On the Camino, it was Keith…from Texas. This year, Tex just happened but it stuck so, I just rolled with it. If someone asked my Irish friend if he was Nacho, he’d laugh and say aye. Nicknames just happen and as long as they’re not derogatory or demeaning, I guess I’m okay. That’s my personal take. Some will not agree and I would, and do respect that. I guess if @MamaBear is comfortable with her handle, so am I.