THE CAMINO IN A GROUP.

 In Blog

When planning a pilgrimage, travelers, besides deciding what route to take and what to pack, are often faced with a choice of going for it alone or as a part of a group. Rather than talking about that experience as better or worse, it is more accurate to call it simply different. Each experience has its pros and cons but both can be equally positive.

The Up-Sides of travelling with a Partner or in a Group.

  • You are not all alone in a foreign country, and that can be quite a calming thought for many, especially if this is your first trip abroad.
  • It’s more practical regarding packing as you do not need to necessarily carry all the things you need yourself but instead distribute it evenly among the people with whom you are traveling.
  • Camino, no matter how long or short a route you decide to walk, is unlike any other trip you have ever taken. You are likely to get into deeper conversations and experience profound moments, which is an excellent way to cement friendships and relationships.  
  • When you go back home, you have someone to remind you it was real and reminisce with you when missing those long days of walking and nights full of deep conversations and red wine.

What to Watch Out For?

Camino to Compostela is not really a holiday. It has nothing to do with carelessly lying on the beach, drinking margaritas. Firstly, the Camino (usually) lasts longer. That means not every day you will wake up happy and eager to walk. There will be days full of pain (blisters, knees, muscles, sunburn, etc.), days when you are just plain tired, even miserable days of rain or unforgivable sun…

  • Everybody has their own rhythm. Don’t make the mistake of forcing others to adjust to your pace and do not feel bad if you cannot keep up. Just because you are traveling together, does not mean you need to be together at all times.
  • Be ready to compromise. Along the way, you might discover that your partner likes to wake up late while you want to get on the road before the sun goes up. You might have different preferences about albergues and so on. Camino can’t only strengthen but also test relationships. Your way is not the only way.
  • Don’t be worried to split up for certain stages if you feel like it. It’s a good way of getting a taste of how it would be to travel alone while keeping your ‘safety net.’
  • Even if you travel with your best friend or the love of your life you can come across a few surprises. In your everyday life, you rarely spend 24/7 together, so it is totally natural you will get annoyed or angry with each other. Don’t sweat it.
  • Don’t shut yourself in your own bubble. One of the most amazing aspects of the Camino is the serendipity of encounters and the richness of other people’s stories. Get out of your comfort zone and reach out. You will miss out if you only keep to the people you know. There is no other place on earth where it’s so easy to get to know people deeply in such a short period.

Should You Consider Agency?

It depends on what who you are and what you are looking for. If you have limited time and need your accommodation booked ahead it can be worthwhile. And, it is not such a bad choice when leading a large group (e.g. church group) as taking care of too many people can be really difficult for the leader. It’s too much responsibility with too many variables.

 

By caminoadventures.
Image: Pixabay
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