After the Via de la Plata. ..
When I arrived home, my husband asked me something to the effect of “Was that enough? Have you got the Camino out of your system yet?” On the one hand, I was very happy to be home and considered that 1 month on the Caminos is perfect (5-6 weeks is a bit much). On the other hand, I knew there would be more walking in the future. I tried to explain that:
- I enjoy these trips and I enjoy walking.
- I enjoy the challenge of speaking Spanish, and it is probably very good for my brain.
- Spain is a safe country.
- There is a culture of pilgrimage in Spain, and pilgrims are known and accepted. Anywhere I might walk in Spain, people will know that the old woman wearing a backpack is walking to Santiago.
- I am fortunate to be healthy and affluent enough to be able to to this, and I’m not neglecting any responsibilities in doing so.
- I enjoy the internet community for 11 months of the year.
- Most of all, being motivated to walk 30-40 km/week at home is probably the healthiest thing I could be doing for myself.
So,… why would I not plan to walk in Spain every year as long as I can?
The Via de la Plata was different from the Camino Frances. It requires more self-sufficiency. You will not be pampered and catered to. Pilgrims are a small part of the landscape, rather than being dominant, as on the Camino Frances. Nevertheless, pilgrims are recognized, welcomed and accommodated. Speaking Spanish is a big advantage. Being able to walk 30-35 km occasionally is necessary. You should be OK with walking alone, dining alone and sleeping alone, for those periods when no one else is on your schedule. Most (but not all) of the pilgrims are experienced, having walked the Camino Frances and other routes.
So, I will be back. Maybe next spring the Camino de Madrid plus something else to fill a month.
A few months later (June)…
In the past 2 months since I finished walking from Seville to Astorga, I have been to Calgary, Toronto and Montreal, Peru, and the Czech Republic where I am right now! It has been a bit too much and I am wishing for some extended down time at home. Each trip has included both work and pleasure, though, and I am not really complaining!
I decided not to blog, due to my general weariness, unreliable Internet, and the unanswered questions of why I blog and whether my blogging is anything more than self-indulgence. I have reflected on that and decided that there’s nothing wrong with a touch of self-indulgence if I also keep some humility and humour, and I don’t force it on others.
So, I am still here.
Seeing Clarely 
Claire,
It may seem like self indulgence to you but to your faithful readers it’s a waft of fresh air from the intelligentsia.
Please continue to share your thoughts and observations.
I am impressed that you continue to contribute to society through work and find time to walk the Camino.
You are motivating in many ways.
Buen Vida,
– jgp
Thank you for the encouragement! It is nice to think thay that my words might be interesting! This last post caused me some technical difficulties so I should practice more on my phone.
People who haven’t been on the Camino can’t understand its call! So glad to read this, as many bloggers disappear after they’ve finished walking. I used to do this myself!
BTW, I can’t get from this email to your blog. An error message comes up that the site can’t be found. Not sure what is happening here.
M.
>
I had published too soon by accident and then deleted the post. But since I must walk to the town square for WiFi, I gave up at some point!
Yes I agree it is a bit disappointing when pilgrims disappear from the Internet after blogging across Spain. I will try to fill the gap, and you should too! Thanks for your comments.
I’ve often had these same thoughts and came to believe that within myself it is natural to have this dichotomy; the need for solitude and time to contemplate but at the same time a need to share what I’m experiencing. My chosen medium is photography rather than words but when I frame it this way I’m content to carry on as I do.
Your reasons are your own but for what it’s worth, living vicariously through your blog (and many others) I find great enjoyment and look forward to my own next adventure.
Jordon
You describe it well!
I enjoy reading your blog very much. Perhaps its my bit of self indulgence?
It’s great to have you still with me!