I agree. Which brings up an interesting, maybe controversial, point I have often thought about. I have walked the CF twice, and will do it again in July. I have met plenty of people who have walked multiple CF's. One Canadian fellow had been walking it every year for the past 10 years. I like that, although I get the idea of doing new routes (collecting Caminos). I met a couple Australians who were doing it for the first time--when I mentioned that I had walked it before, and probably will continue to walk the CF in subsequent years, the response was something along the lines of "I can't imagine doing the same walk twice." That kind of made me wince. I think most on the forum, notwithstanding many who have walked numerous Camino routes, would agree that the CF is the Mothership, and not just for the superior infrastructure. For me it's the energy. Yes, far more people than lesser traveled Casinos--but that is the source of the energy. That ever-moving stream of souls from all over the world all headed in the same direction with the same goal. The idea of walking all day and only seeing a handful of fellow pilgrims is just not appealing to me. Not that I'm particular social--I'm not. I could easily walk a day on the Camino and barely converse. But, being in the milieu is an important part of the experience. Sitting and socializing in a Plaza Mayor at the end of the day and watching fellow pilgrims trudge in while having a beer or sangria might be my favorite aspect. I wouldn't think any of us gets the full measure of the CF in a single outing. There's just too much to see, and so many potential city/town/village/hamlet overnights to experience, such that once is just not enough. A few months ago I wrote a post about a slow camino, and and staying in "the inbetween places" which I hope to put into practice in July. The
Camino Frances is the busiest, has the largest selection of accommodations and food, and the most astounding architecture. We all have our Camino likes and dislikes. Everything I like about the Camino experience is easily accessed on the CF. I will definitely keep my mind open about alternative routes, but as of now there is much more for me to experience on the CF. As jsalt who has an impressive list of completed Caminos other than the CF observed, the CF "has so much pilgrim vibe". I like that vibe. Maybe it's the crowds that help drive people to other Caminos. I'm not bothered by the crowds. In fact, I am timing next years Camino to arrive in Santiago de Compostela on August 7 or 8. Talk about crowds!