Mark2012
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances (2012, 2014) Camino Finisterre (2012, 2013, 2014) Camino Portugues (2013), Camino del Norte (2015)
Hello all,
I'm hoping to walk the Camino in July and August of this year, and at the moment I'm mulling over which route to take. I walked the full Camino Frances in May & June 2012 and the Camino Portugues from just outside Porto in June 2013, so I'm a reasonably seasoned walker at this stage! This year, I've been thinking about walking the Norte or the Via de la Plata, but I'm also considering perhaps walking the Frances again.
And that's the main focus of this thread - the Frances second time around, good idea or bad idea? I absolutely loved it in 2012 and made some wonderful friends along the way. I'm guessing starting in early July will be noticeably more busy than it was starting in late May two years ago, but that's not my main reservation. My fear/anxiety is that second time around it just won't feel the same, that in retreading my steps I'll be thinking about 2012 and all the people I met and what I was doing the last time I was in town X or village Y. It can't be the same second time around, I know that, but do I risk sullying my perfect memories of the first time around or should I just go into it with that sense that no two Caminos are ever the same and try not to think in terms of comparisons.
Even last year, walking the Portuguese way felt a little weird. I was struck by how different the 'personality' of that route to Santiago is. It's not that it was better or worse, merely different. Certainly the social element was easier to cultivate on the French way because there is much more of an eclectic mix of ages, nationalities, and circumstances, and I think I missed that a little bit when walking last year.
Any thoughts on my 'dilemma' (I use the word self-effacingly, as what a lovely dilemma it will be if I find myself to spend five or so weeks walking this summer!) would be much appreciated!
I'm hoping to walk the Camino in July and August of this year, and at the moment I'm mulling over which route to take. I walked the full Camino Frances in May & June 2012 and the Camino Portugues from just outside Porto in June 2013, so I'm a reasonably seasoned walker at this stage! This year, I've been thinking about walking the Norte or the Via de la Plata, but I'm also considering perhaps walking the Frances again.
And that's the main focus of this thread - the Frances second time around, good idea or bad idea? I absolutely loved it in 2012 and made some wonderful friends along the way. I'm guessing starting in early July will be noticeably more busy than it was starting in late May two years ago, but that's not my main reservation. My fear/anxiety is that second time around it just won't feel the same, that in retreading my steps I'll be thinking about 2012 and all the people I met and what I was doing the last time I was in town X or village Y. It can't be the same second time around, I know that, but do I risk sullying my perfect memories of the first time around or should I just go into it with that sense that no two Caminos are ever the same and try not to think in terms of comparisons.
Even last year, walking the Portuguese way felt a little weird. I was struck by how different the 'personality' of that route to Santiago is. It's not that it was better or worse, merely different. Certainly the social element was easier to cultivate on the French way because there is much more of an eclectic mix of ages, nationalities, and circumstances, and I think I missed that a little bit when walking last year.
Any thoughts on my 'dilemma' (I use the word self-effacingly, as what a lovely dilemma it will be if I find myself to spend five or so weeks walking this summer!) would be much appreciated!