7 Camino Surprises on the Camino de Santiago

[@robscamino]

If you've already walked a Camino, what was your biggest surprise? 🙂

[@Maryann110]

Excellent video. Besides acquiring a Camino addiction my biggest surprise was how little materialistic “stuff” we need to be happy. After my first Camino I sold my 3/2 house, moved into a 400 sq foot condo and donated truck loads of items. If it didn’t have a daily function it’s gone. So cathartic. I now collect memories and sellos not clutter. ❤️ Buen Camino. 😎❤️🥾

[@robscamino]

Yep. Totally get that! Stuff no longer matters. At the time of my first Camino I was considering buying a new car, as mine was 15 years old. It's still with me, and now 22 years old. I like it. It works. 🙂

[@robscamino]

@@davidhorsburgh9207 Bit extreme, but I can see how it might happen. "It's the Camino or me" ! Hmmm. OK.

[@CCB249]

This will be my husband and myself. We have a 3600 sq ft house with lots of garden beds around the house-I garden and take care of the yard. When my husband retires-I retired first, we will be living in a 680 sq ft condo that we already own on the other side of the country. Can't wait. Can walk to the train, take train to the airport, airport to the world.

[@KiwiPilgrim]

One of my great surprises was that even when I was extremely tired, on the days my knees decided that they had had enough, and on days I ached all over, I was still so happy and grateful that I was walking the Camino and joy was my constant companion.

[@robscamino]

How true that is! And the amazing restorative power of sleep! On my first Camino I hurt so much in the final 100kms (due to injury) I was down to only 10 kms per day. But I still loved every day and gave thanks every day that I was still 'on the road' however slow..

[@KiwiPilgrim]

@robscamino Isn't it amazing 😍 and like you, before my Camino had even ended I knew that one camino wasn't enough. Unfortunately, I'm not sure when I will be able to walk again but I haven't given up hope.

[@robscamino]

@@KiwiPilgrim I think we Camino 'addicts' are either always walking a Camino, thinking about the Camino, talking about the Camino, or planning the next one!! This channel keeps me sane, without my wife having to hear me talk about it all the time 🙂 She has walked two, but is not that keen on any more.

[@shaunminehan]

That’s really beautiful- lovely reflection.

[@PurvaD]

Hi Rob! I'm planning my 1st Camino this July & I'm watching & re-watching your videos on this channel. Particularly on this thread, since you mentioned "Camino addicts", I was wondering whether anyone's tried walking back to St. Jean Pied-de-Port once they'd reached Santiago de Compostela? I know it wouldn't perhaps make any sense to do that, as all the points you mentioned here would be lost, but I was just wondering...

[@jorgeignaciosaldarriaga1340]

Rob you present your Camino experiences very pleasant and true; I enjoy it very much. You inspire to live the camino such it is a Wonderful experience worthy to live it! Thanks for your blogs

[@robscamino]

My pleasure, glad you enjoy the videos

[@daithipol]

Stamp envy (when a fellow traveler get cooler stamps than you) was another fun surprise

[@robscamino]

LOL. Can't say I have ever suffered from that . My credencial just stays in my bag unless getting stamped. But I'm sure there are some cool looking stamps around. 🙂

[@justgivemethetruth]

Positive sentiments expressed beautifully. When I was in Europe I've often had the same feeling about the great Cathedrals. The incredible effort that was required to build these churches, expressions to the mystical. I think humanity has lost that effort to express a common awe of the universe. To put so many resources into religion, not a corporation, or a person, and that it was so widespread and universal across the world even ... and it seems to be so missing today. Even though, like you, I am not really religious, this represents something very positive and human to me. You express it well in this video.

[@robscamino]

I think that's why I love walking on the Camino so much. Life slows down, becomes very simple, we are content, we meet nice people, and perhaps we come to realise.......this is what life is supposed to be like.

[@markmclaughlan8460]

All of your 7 surprises Rob resonate with me, brilliant topic. I am surprised that it is relatively unknown to pretty much everyone in my circle of friends and acquaintances. I came across it searching KZbin for hiking videos and Mark O'Sheas vlog came up which planted a seed until I found myself on the Camino Frances about 4 years later in 2017. Since returned 3 times to complete the Del Norte in two visits and Portuguese coastal. Also tried the Kumano Kodo which was not the same as not a continuos path. After unable to go due to the pandemic these last two years thinking of going back to do the Camino Frances again or like you the Via dela plata - More people should know of and do a Camino and I recommend it to nearly everyone whenever comes up in conversation to people that have not heard of it.

[@robscamino]

I only came across by seeing the Martin Sheen movie. Then Mark's video really inspired me too. I agree it's a pity in some ways that it's not more widely known. It's probably something that everyone would find of value, maybe more so in mid life? It's often then, that we are weighed down with responsibilities and confused about our purpose and other things. For many the Camino fixes that! In my case, like many others it made me realise that 'stuff' and 'status' was fairly meaningless. And that I would probably be a lot happier leading a simpler life. Still a work in progress......

[@markmclaughlan8460]

Agree with your reply Rob. The Camino Frances definitely transformed me too Rob and still to this day I feel it is somehow present in my day to day life guiding me through life's challenges and keep things simple is the only way I can put it. Hope you don't mind me asking but I've watched most if not all your Blogs and could you perhaps do one on the Pilgrims museam at Santiago? What an absolute gem and only got round to visiting after my 3rd camino and was pleasantly surprised with Pilgrim Passport I think it was free entry and had lockers for your back pack where it was a one euro coin deposit. Also wondered if there were some other museams along the camino ways worth a mention I only know of the Chocolate museam at Astorga but was shut (haha heard that before?) when passed in 2017.

[@daithipol]

Having done approx 150km I was surprised at no matter how tired /sore I was in the evening I felt great and ready to go again the following morning. Also the lack of vegetables on the menus was a big surprise, now I'm no vegetarian but ....

[@robscamino]

Yep, I would agree on both of those.....

[@adrianacastro7550]

Buena información . Para mi que haré mi primer camino en Mayo 2022. Gracias ☺️

[@robscamino]

Me alegro de que lo hayas encontrado útil. ¡Buen Camino!

[@alanday4343]

Hi Rob, Friendships, I live in New Zealand, but now have friends I met on the Camino from, Wisconsin, Quebec, Alaska ! + Plus the Spanish people, I have got Lost 3 Times ! - only in the Cities though, The Way is well marked, a Spanish man will stop me, and ask if I am a Peregrino, Yes, and they will take you back to the place where you missed the Yellow Arrow, they have never seen you before, and may never see me again, but go out of their way, to help you, - so Kind. I can't wait to go back again. Alan

[@robscamino]

@alan day. Indeed. The Friendships are special.

[@-MacCat-]

Interesting. I will certainly report back on what has surprised me/her (us?) when we eventually get there to do it. But at this point, and trying to crystal ball .... a lot, my biggest surprise would be if my deep set atheism waned. .... it may .... I wait with bated breath to see .....but I am well prepared for a long, adventurous and enjoyable trek that brings no religious awakening. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Rob.

[@robscamino]

It was a Pagan pilgrimage trail before it became a Christian one! They followed the stars of the Milky Way. So who knows what transformation you might experience 🙂🙂🙂 Though one that I failed to mention, that could almost be deemed Spiritual, was the connection with nature that I developed. I think many people find this. Walking 8-10 per day, in beautiful landscapes, trees, flowers, animals........this will sound a bit nuts.........but you almost 'connect' with it all. Sometimes I would just sit by the path and be amazed at the views, or talk to the cows LOL. Guess you had to be there LOL. Though walking with someone else, that 'grounding' and 'connection' was much reduced. That's why I like to walk alone, and 'lose' myself.........

[@KiwiPilgrim]

Please know that everyone is welcome to visit the churches and cathedrals along the way. Whether the churches are simply places to sit and rest for a while, whether they are simply somewhere to shelter from hot/cold, wind, rain, or blazing sun, or if it's to study their architecture, please know that the churches are for everyone and that you don't need to be religious to be able to enter them.

[@robscamino]

@@KiwiPilgrim Very true, great point! I went into almost every one I found open, just to sit and reflect.

[@robscamino]

And religious or not, I think the Pilgrim's Mass in Santiago is probably a must see.

[@KiwiPilgrim]

@@robscamino Yes, definitely 😊

[@traceybotha2411]

Absolutely love all your videos, so informative . I am planning to walk my first later this year. I feel that I need to find myself again after the passing on of my husband September last year.

[@robscamino]

I'm glad you find the videos helpful. And so sorry to hear of your loss. Wishing you a great Camino and the opportunity to find yourself. I'm sure you will. Buen Camino.

[@lionelosullivan3929]

Brilliant blog Rob my biggest surprise was when I got to santiago I didn't want it to end loved it and still love it thanks again for your blogs I really enjoy them lionel Ireland

[@robscamino]

I get that. My 'mind' wanted to keep walking once I reached Santiago. My body said No! Each time I reach Santiago it's like my body knows it can finally take a rest LOL. I think next time I might just walk straight through Santiago and see if I can trick it 🙂

[@anacasanova7350]

Si hacen el Camino de la Plata, hacerlo en primavera. Cuando más hermoso y agradable será el Camino.😀🤗🇪🇸🐂🐎🐖🐇🐄🐑🐈🐿️🦅🦉💐🥀🌺🌷🌸🏵️🏵️🌻🌼☘️🍀🌿🌱🌳🦎🐁

[@robscamino]

Sí, escuché que es hermoso en primavera. gracias. 🙂

[@byrdsonawire]

Loved this!! We are the same in the spiritual sense and for some reason I have a huge draw to the Camino. Counting down the days…3months…your videos keep me motivated! Thank you!

[@robscamino]

Might be a year or so for me yet! Buen Camino.

[@stephenreid_66]

My biggest surprise is that I keep wanting to go back 😂

[@robscamino]

LOL. They never tell you this in the guide books. I always say the Camino should come with a Public Health Warning. "This journey is highly addictive" 🙂

[@rometimed1382]

Rob for the "spiritual" aspect did you notice that more at a certain point on the Camino Frances? It's sometimes said that the first part of the Frances is PHYSICAL coming over the pyranees and dealing with the landscape... second part in the mesata is mental with the heat and sometimes boredom, THIRD is the spiritual in Galicia. The mental part was the toughest for me but once I was through that I really felt the spiritual aspect

[@robscamino]

Same here. The physical, is just, well, physical....

[@AccumbensNucleus]

Accurate video. My biggest surprise was how Freaking Hard it was physically. I did not research the physical difficulty enough (my fault!). I watched a bunch of KZbins with young people rarely or never mentioning the many, many steep grades (Camino's first third and last third). In hindsight, Of course they didn't! they were 25 years old, Duh! So 62 year old sedentary me embarked on the Camino having walked for an hour a day around flat South Carolina. I made the 779 Km, but just barely and very unpleasantly surprised with the level of difficulty (once again, my own damn fault)...

[@robscamino]

It's certainly not a 'walk in the park' particularly for those of us who are older. My first one was at age 57. Though it is often the younger / fitter crowd who get injured. Those who start too fast and too far out of the gate! 🙂 I did expect the hills as I'd researched quite a bit. But nothing quite prepares you for the steep rise out of St Jean. The look on my wife's face was comical. As you leave the town and at that first junction, the road just 'rises' in front of you LOL. Thankfully it's only for a couple of hundred metres (in distance) and the the next 'rise', just before Huntto and up to Orisson gets the heart pumping! I need a few stops on that bit.

[@robscamino]

There are certainly a few ups and downs along the way, but certainly manageable by all I think. The hardest part in my mind is the descent from just above Acebo down to Molinaseca! That totally wrecked by legs (already somewhat injured) and required a rest day. The 2nd time, with my wife, we broke that day in two. So we stayed in Acebo, and did Acebo down to Molinaseca only, the next day. A bit of a short day.

[@peterfontaine4627]

Were you surprised by how much time you had to yourself or was the solo/social ratio about what you expected?

[@robscamino]

On my first Frances in 2015, I was able to get quite a bit of alone time. By 2018, it was certainly busier. But it depends on the route you walk and time of year. Then there are 'tricks' to avoiding any build up of Pilgrims that might occur. Busy sections of the Camino are like long distance highway traffic. It comes and goes in waves. So you need to get out of a wave. You can do that by (1) avoiding popular overnight stops. These are usually the 'end of stage' locations in guide books, though of course there are no official 'stages'. (2) Leave at different times to others. I often set out at 9 am and hour or two after most others. But it means I'm walking later in the day, another means of getting more alone time! (3) take a day off. (4) walk a shorter day (5) walk a longer day. All of these things help get out of a 'wave'.

[@robscamino]

On the more popular routes, getting time alone can be the challenge........

[@hilarymac3706]

I really love your videos ! Mostly - I was surprised at how hard it was! I hike a lot but was unprepared for how tough it could be and how much it would affect my body. I was also surprised at how urban or industrial parts of the route are. Finally I was surprised like you were, that I would plan the next trip before it was over.

[@robscamino]

I think it's the day after day nature of the walk. It takes it's toll on the body after a while. Certainly not an 'easy' walk.

[@suebrown4787]

rob were did you stay in roncesvalles i don’t want to stay in the huge monastery is there some were smaller and a bit more private thanks trevor first camino starts 30/03/2022

[@robscamino]

Twice I have stayed in the the 'Apartments', wing. Very nice but much more space that I needed! I think they have regular Hotel rooms in that section too. www.gronze.com/navarra/roncesvalles/apartamentos-casa-beneficiados

[@robscamino]

As you can see on this link, there is indeed a Hotel section. Nice evening meal and buffet breakfast. Hotel and Apartment guests use the same dining room. There are other options like Casa Sabina (great Menu del Dia) www.gronze.com/navarra/roncesvalles/hotel-roncesvalles

[@Michael-0000]

Thanks Rob. You are a source of useful information and quiet inspiration! Planning my first Camino later this year and very much looking forward to it.

[@robscamino]

Lucky you. The first is the best ! 🙂

[@shaunminehan]

1. How beautiful and privileged it is to spend multiple days walking. One job! What a surprise. Time is the greatest gift and what a gift it is. 2. The level of stupidity of many, many people and lack of general manners in shared communal spaces - body odour, farts, plastic bags, phones, slamming doors. I swear albergues are cheap but I actually don’t know how I’ve slept in so many and not resorted to violence. 3. Lack is Spanish language ability amongst pilgrims m. Not even a hola or gracias to be heard. Do better. And the litter. 🤦‍♀️

[@robscamino]

I'm try Albergues on my next one. Don't scare me ! 🙂

[@shaunminehan]

@@robscamino best coping mechanism is too have that extra glass of wine so you really zonk out and sleep through it all !

[@robscamino]

@UCkjr76aWELmk6%F0%9F%98%9C%F0%9F%99%84%F0%9F%99%84-8GFGe0XQw I'm THAT Pilgrim who has too many glasses and snores! Not my fault. they give the stuff away with dinner! 🙂

[@AccumbensNucleus]

Your expectations of the human race are too high. I don’t know anyone like that that is ever happy.

[@cindyaiello-ajoyfulpilgim2635]

I really love your videos. I am 65 and plan to walk in Sept. 22. I was wondering if you have a list of lodgings that you have stayed in as I don't prefer albergues my first time around. Thanks for your posts. They are so helpful!

[@robscamino]

I could provide a list, but I don't think it would help you. I'll explain. (1) If you are walking a popular route like the Frances, there are plenty of accommodation options. And booking ir easy. email, use booking.com or Gronze, or other sites, call them. Or just wait till you arrive where you want to stay and ask. (2) We all have different tastes. What I like, you may not, for whatever reason. (3) We all have different budgets. (4) Picking places to stay is all part of the experience. (5) Some may have changed over the years for better or worse. (6) there will be new ones too. I'm more than happy to provide a list, I'm just not sure I'll be doing you a favour or not.......

[@robscamino]

I thought I had a video showing how to use the Gronze website to find accommodation. In fact I'm sure I have. Just can't find it. What I might do if it's of interest, is do a video showing 'many' of the places I have stayed. but it would be a long video rather like this food video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/goekfIxnj8SDeJo

[@cindyaiello-ajoyfulpilgim2635]

@@robscamino That makes perfect sense and one thing I know too is that I do not want any pressure to be at point b from point a and a list of lodgings may put that on me if that makes sense. I really have no time constraints. One more thing then, do you have an app that you recommend? I've downloaded "the camino pilgrim" app and it has all albergues, but not thinking the route I want. There are lots of different apps out there and just wondered if you've used any? You are so generous in putting your experience out there. It is very encouraging. Thank you again!

[@cindyaiello-ajoyfulpilgim2635]

@@robscamino I'll watch today! Mmm, must watch your food one too then!