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I very much enjoyed reading what you have written here and I have had the experience of emotions being very "close to the surface" during my caminos. From elation to great sadness and grief, they are all there. I have always thought the outward expression of these emotions is somehow more likely to occur as a result of being far from home and an increased willingness to be vulnerable. Buen camino from a fellow BC pilgrim!I've spent over two years now thinking every day about walking the camino (May 2023 baby!). Watched countless YouTube videos, listened to countless podcasts (check out Dan Mullins My Camino The Podcast - it's brilliant), read countless blogs and books, and have asked lots of questions on sites like this.
One thing I've noted, which of course is obvious to anyone that has already walked, is what an emotional experience it is. Just so much raw unbridled emotion pouring out of so many people. The root causes of those emotions vary from pilgrim to pilgrim, but clearly there's something magical about the camino that draws those emotions out, and seems to give licence to people to display and even share them.
And that magic seems to begin as soon as you feel the call of the camino, before you've even taken a step. I find myself constantly swallowing this strange lump in my throat as I listen/watch/read about the experiences of others. And to be clear - I am not an emotional person by any stretch. Haven't cried since the age of 14, (which is something I'm a bit unnerved by, and is actually one of the issues I hope to confront during my camino.) I'm seriously concerned that I may turn into an emotional wreck somewhere along the way! I'll endeavour to be by myself when I get to the Alta de Perdon and Cruz de Ferro...
There are a lot of simple, obvious reasons why the camino can be such an emotional journey, but beyond those obvious reasons I think there's something more, something a little beyond our reach or understanding. Perhaps the collective emotions of millions of pilgrims over time have somehow impacted the energy that surrounds the camino. Or perhaps it's nothing. Perhaps the camino is nothing more than a planned route across Spain, and it has no special powers. But I suspect it is something, and it does have some sort of special power, whatever that may be.
I can't wait to experience it first hand. If you happen across a confused Canadian along the way next spring, who seems at a loss for words and baffled by the strange salty discharge from his eyes, and seems on the verge of laughing and crying, it just might be me... I apologize in advance for my lapse of decorum.
Hey mate. I cry a lot. Don't even attempt to disguise it of apologise for it . It's cleansing. If I see you and you want one I'll give you a hug. XxI've spent over two years now thinking every day about walking the camino (May 2023 baby!). Watched countless YouTube videos, listened to countless podcasts (check out Dan Mullins My Camino The Podcast - it's brilliant), read countless blogs and books, and have asked lots of questions on sites like this.
One thing I've noted, which of course is obvious to anyone that has already walked, is what an emotional experience it is. Just so much raw unbridled emotion pouring out of so many people. The root causes of those emotions vary from pilgrim to pilgrim, but clearly there's something magical about the camino that draws those emotions out, and seems to give licence to people to display and even share them.
And that magic seems to begin as soon as you feel the call of the camino, before you've even taken a step. I find myself constantly swallowing this strange lump in my throat as I listen/watch/read about the experiences of others. And to be clear - I am not an emotional person by any stretch. Haven't cried since the age of 14, (which is something I'm a bit unnerved by, and is actually one of the issues I hope to confront during my camino.) I'm seriously concerned that I may turn into an emotional wreck somewhere along the way! I'll endeavour to be by myself when I get to the Alta de Perdon and Cruz de Ferro...
There are a lot of simple, obvious reasons why the camino can be such an emotional journey, but beyond those obvious reasons I think there's something more, something a little beyond our reach or understanding. Perhaps the collective emotions of millions of pilgrims over time have somehow impacted the energy that surrounds the camino. Or perhaps it's nothing. Perhaps the camino is nothing more than a planned route across Spain, and it has no special powers. But I suspect it is something, and it does have some sort of special power, whatever that may be.
I can't wait to experience it first hand. If you happen across a confused Canadian along the way next spring, who seems at a loss for words and baffled by the strange salty discharge from his eyes, and seems on the verge of laughing and crying, it just might be me... I apologize in advance for my lapse of decorum.
I so agree!A first camino without many expectations is a real gift, but one that few people have anymore.
I went 'cold,' without any reading or watching, and no preconceived notions of what I'd meet. It was...everything.My first Camino was only 6 years ago, and the only information I had about it was watching The Way (which I realized as a fictional movie would be different from my experience) and reading this forum.
If I were you I would write all this down again and then burn the page and burn if from your mind. Just walk and have NO, NONE, NUNCA, ZERO, expectations. The likelihood of you experiencing all or some or even any of what you "think or want" to happen is very small. If something does happen let it and you can't plan it. You want to be alone at Alta de Perdon or Cruz de Ferro, depending on when you go the strong likelihood is there is no chance you will be alone unless you can clear all your expectations and thoughts and preconceived notions out of your head and be mindless and tranquil and letting things inside instead of projecting out. Just walk, take one step at a time, and whatever happens be happy with that. A very wise friend told me once when I was going through a difficult time and was searching for answers and trying to change how I did things. She would call me everyday and ask me what I did for myself today.I've spent over two years now thinking every day about walking the camino (May 2023 baby!). Watched countless YouTube videos, listened to countless podcasts (check out Dan Mullins My Camino The Podcast - it's brilliant), read countless blogs and books, and have asked lots of questions on sites like this.
One thing I've noted, which of course is obvious to anyone that has already walked, is what an emotional experience it is. Just so much raw unbridled emotion pouring out of so many people. The root causes of those emotions vary from pilgrim to pilgrim, but clearly there's something magical about the camino that draws those emotions out, and seems to give licence to people to display and even share them.
And that magic seems to begin as soon as you feel the call of the camino, before you've even taken a step. I find myself constantly swallowing this strange lump in my throat as I listen/watch/read about the experiences of others. And to be clear - I am not an emotional person by any stretch. Haven't cried since the age of 14, (which is something I'm a bit unnerved by, and is actually one of the issues I hope to confront during my camino.) I'm seriously concerned that I may turn into an emotional wreck somewhere along the way! I'll endeavour to be by myself when I get to the Alta de Perdon and Cruz de Ferro...
There are a lot of simple, obvious reasons why the camino can be such an emotional journey, but beyond those obvious reasons I think there's something more, something a little beyond our reach or understanding. Perhaps the collective emotions of millions of pilgrims over time have somehow impacted the energy that surrounds the camino. Or perhaps it's nothing. Perhaps the camino is nothing more than a planned route across Spain, and it has no special powers. But I suspect it is something, and it does have some sort of special power, whatever that may be.
I can't wait to experience it first hand. If you happen across a confused Canadian along the way next spring, who seems at a loss for words and baffled by the strange salty discharge from his eyes, and seems on the verge of laughing and crying, it just might be me... I apologize in advance for my lapse of decorum.
Agreed!No need to cringe Jack. Do it your way and don't fake it.
I think we start our Camino with that first thought - I think I might do this thing. So in my mind you are well on the Way - with no need to apologise for any of the wide range of emotions and experiences that will arise. (And I seem to be discovering that they can be quite different each time)Thanks for the responses and suggestions. I am most certainly embarking on this adventure with my eyes wide open and my head clear. Despite the fact that I've probably spent far too much time absorbing the experiences of others, I'm under no illusions regarding what to expect for my own camino, and frankly I'm not anticipating any real surprises there. I'm endeavouring to have few expectations. And disappointment isn't really an option for me - regardless whether I love it, hate it, or land somewhere in between, I will have a strong sense of satisfaction that I did it. Any positive emotions above and beyond that will be a bonus.
When you spend a lot of time on a topic like this, and in particular when you've just finished immersing yourself in a blog post or podcast, you can kinda get swept up and carried away with the whole notion. And it's at times like that when I tend to post some sort of hippy-dippy touchy-feely comment like the one above. I subsequently come back and reread it a day or two later and wonder why the heck I posted such drivel... But that said, I have about 8 more months to enjoy the anticipation of my first camino. And while I strongly suspect it will be the first of many, there is only one "first", so I intend to squeeze every moment for any little bit excitement and anticipation that I can. So feel free to quietly roll your eyes when you see one of these types of posts. I continually cringe at the things I've said in the past.
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