Camino 101: Do you have to walk the whole thing?

Are you planning your first Camino and overwhelmed with all you need to learn? I’m starting a Camino 101 series that will hopefully address some of these questions! First up: Do you have to walk the ‘whole’ thing?
If you have questions that might be helpful for me to answer, please put them in the comments below! And as ever, thanks for watching :)
A big thank you to all of my current patrons (and hello to new members!), your support continues to mean so much to me. And if you’re thinking about joining our group there… come on over! 😊 (Or, if a monthly amount doesn’t feel right, a café con leche ☕️ donation on PayPal is always appreciated!! @nadinewalks)
Patreon:
www.patreon.co...
PayPal: www.paypal.com...
@nadinewalks
Instagram: / nadine_walks
Blog: nadinewalks.com

[@amdelorey]

The only thing I would add is that every part is magical in its own way. So a compostela is not necessary to the experience. As a result people can start in SJPP and walk as much as they can. Or start anywhere for that matter. While I was happy to get my compostela after the full CF, it was not the pinnacle of my experience. Thanks for all you do Nadine!

[@estabi]

I first walked the Francés in 2002. I was already living in Spain, and my sources of information about the Camino were Spanish. Everyone told me that the Camino Francés starts in Roncesvalles. So that's where I started. It was only much later that so many non-Spaniards told me I was mistaken, that the Francés begins in St Jean Pied du Port. From that point on, I understood that the Camino begins wherever you are, and the journey lasts from the first day until you reach Santiago, unless you choose to continue all the way to the end of the world. In that case, keep walking.

[@elizabethwestwick7401]

I may have mentioned this is a previous response to your other blogs, but you have motivated me and that's no small task. I have join the American Pilgrims of the Camino, scheduled my first walk with them in two weeks, started to acquire a few items (love REI and Back Country for purchases,) watched hours & hours of your channel and others, read a useful book called "Camino Easy" by BG Preston, paid a deposit to Santiago Ways...and now all I have left to do is increase my daily mileage. Nadine you are an inspiration!!!

[@jeremywilliams703]

For me, the Camino is transformative. As a Catholic, I believe Christ comes to you in the silence. So the longer I can walk in silence, the more change takes place. I think there is definitely something to walking a longer Camino, taking time to stop, listen, pray. Something akin to Jesus 40 days in the desert. I think rushing is a mistake, and I always seem to feel sorry for those that walk a short distance, tick a box, and move on to their next adventure. We start the Norte from Irun in March, our third Camino. We come from Melbourne Australia and plan to get our first stamp at Canterbury in England, then Notre Dame in Paris. As you say, there is no “right way” to a pilgrimage, but the important thing is to start. ✌️❤️🙏🇦🇺

[@AidaJof]

@@jeremywilliams703 Exactly. Not only Jesus but, Aristotle, Ghandi all great thinkers came up with their best phylosophies while walking alone. I am also Catholic and share your point of view🙏

[@AidaJof]

@@jeremywilliams703 Buen Camino, Peregrino 🙋‍♀️

[@AlexanderBlumenau]

As you said, your Camino de Santiago starts at your own doorstep. Over the centuries different routes became popular as they were the easiest route from A to B. Most people from France entered via the Pyrenees so the route now known as Camino Francés was the logical path. Later it was called Francés and marketed as such. Similar logic applies to most other routes. Today's official starting points of any route are kind of arbitrary . Anyway, thanks for your channel which I just discovered. I myself walked on some Caminos and am planning the next ones. What is nice about your channel is that you provide us with an idea of how a certain walking route "feels" so it helps deciding what to try next 🙂

[@Abilovesjack]

That new rule is awesome. No need to congest any last 100km and walk as far from Santiago and still enjoy the camino.

[@wildnz4362]

There is no 'new rule', you've always been able to walk whatever stages/route you want to. The Compostella is only awarded for the last 100km into Santiago on foot, via a recognised Camino route and evidenced by at least two stamps a day on your Credencial.

[@juliomarques6523]

The Camino starts from your door steps. Better think about “how” you do it (how envolved you are in it) than “where” (from and to). I did part of from Estoril to Fátima (Portugal) and completed Camino Francés (from SJPP)almost 3 years ago. Loved both. Really recommend doing the Camino. Tks for the video, Nadine.

[@michaelpowell2717]

It seems that others have heard chatter of rule changes, too. The Pilgrims Office website remains unchanged, for now. I'm a 'whole thing' fan, but even four days imbibing the spirit of Camino as you walk with others brings a smile of satisfaction. In keeping with the expression "a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step" the first step has as much value as the 1000 miles.

[@clivewright5437]

Rules have changed about the last 25km and any 75km, 2 stamps every day

[@caminodantoo]

This new ruling is interesting. However, I’m a bit all or nought. That is, although I live far from SJPP, I chose to walk from there rather than from home…..

[@lecarnute]

I've walked the camino from Le Puy to Santiago 2 times, 50 days, 50 stamps, 1 stamp a day, they barely look at your credential, they know you've been walking from far away and for a long time

[@dathang]

All salient consoderations. Happy New Year, Nadine! Cheers and adventure on!

[@AidaJof]

Great, Nadine. I am glad you created this series. Our Camino chapter here in Calgary have been conducting a 1-day course called Camino 101 for those first timers planning their Camino in the next few months, which is very well attended & well received. Even though there are numerous books & websites, I believe your series will be very beneficial for future pilgrims. OPINION: As to those potential changes to getting a compostela, my feeling is do not change if is it just to please people. The Camino Frances or The Way of St James carries some spiritual & historical significance and for that reason we are 'Pilgrims'. If you want to walk a camino, do it but there is no need to get a compostela, just get a certificate of completion.

[@AidaJof]

Havings said all that, there is a multitude of people who walk, run, cycle, ride caminos but a true 'Pilgrim' walks to reflect with e every step they take and that is why most true pilgrims choose to walk the whole way alone

[@Rkolb2798]

Hi , have you heard of a similar program or group here in Medicine Hat ? I sometimes think I’m the only Camino groupie in town . 😊

[@AidaJof]

@Rkolb2798 Hi Pilgrim, you may want to check the Canadian Company of Pilgrims website. I am a member and there I found the Calgary chapter. Next time you are in town give us shout, we have Saturday morning walks

[@AidaJof]

@@Rkolb2798 Cont'd: Our chapter have plans for conducting a Camino 101 very soon, we often have people from nearby provinces and even Yellowknife attend it, but you do need to sign up

[@Rkolb2798]

@@AidaJof thank you for the info 😊

[@JP-rq9md]

Can’t wait for the next adventure. What do you have in mind for your next break?

[@mremumerm]

there is no whole thing, so i guess No. or whatever you walked is the whole thing, so Yes!.... great video as usual

[@Joe-yu2os]

Would you be comfortable talking about the worship and adoration opportunities along the Camino? There are tons of videos on the logistics of making the pilgrimage but not nearly as much about the opportunities available to deepen our faith. I know those kinds of things are deeply personal...but were there any moments when you deeply felt the presence of God?

[@robmathesonphotographer7581]

This may have been covered previously, but I’ll ask anyway: Coming from the eastern US (I live in Florida) what is the best European entry point for flights, with the least complicated ground transportation to St Jean Pied de Port. Thanks in advance and as always I thoroughly enjoy your videos.

[@docmartin56]

What is the average daily mileage? Thanks!

[@stonepost1]

I hope to do the Camino Frances within the next year and will be flying from Atlanta. What would be the best travel route (shortest) to get to St. Jean? Like which airport do I fly into and what train or bus connections to take? Thanks. Your videos are very helpful and informative.

[@claudelambert9916]

I flew into Madrid then took a train to Pamplona (took a bit of time off) then I took a local bus across the mountains to St Jean and started walking back and right across Spain . (I had time)

[@steveclayton4249]

Fly into Paris and then get the train to St Jean.

[@brianbutcher8449]

I don’t have time to do an entire route. Maybe only 8-10 days. I was looking at doing San Sebastián to Bilbao on the Norte for the physical challenge and the views. Thoughts? Are there other stretches about this length of time you would recommend?

[@berniefurlong2840]

The Camino Ingles from Ferrol, can be walked in like, 6 ish days give or take, and that's a 'whole route'. People are hung up on the Frances, likely as for people in the US, is is the only route they have head of. Plenty more that are far shorter.

[@giovanbattistafichera8439]

hi Nadine! Quick question: will I need a poncho if I walk del Norte in July? I was thinking of maybe packing just a disposable one.

[@BMcM-fc3zc]

It would be better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. I heard northern spain has similar weather to ireland so potential for four seasons in one day

[@scott882]

😊😊

[@bendunselman]

It always is a whole thing. And you do not have to walk it all.

[@RC-qf3mp]

You don’t “have to”, you *get to*. 👣

[@AccumbensNucleus]

Unfortunately I've found "Camino Snobbery" is real. Using terms like "The whole thing" just feeds into it. You explain the camino very well, but I think "How much of the Camino to walk" would be a better title. I barely look at any Camino posts any more because of frequent bickering this sort of terminology generates...