Mistakes that I made on the Camino de Santiago
Vložit
- čas přidán 16. 02. 2024
- Here are 7 of my biggest Camino mistakes... share yours in the comments below!
A big thank you to all of my current patrons, 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.com/nadinewalks?f...
PayPal: www.paypal.com/us/home
@nadinewalks
Instagram: / nadine_walks
Blog: nadinewalks.com
I haven't done my first Camino yet but I can share my biggest trail running mistake: overcommitting! I started a trail race that was WAY too long and challenging for my fitness level, and found myself completely alone in the middle of nowhere with no choice but to keep going until the end, exhausted. So I guess the mistake is not doing the research and knowing your body and fitness level, and putting yourself in a spot where you can't change your mind
...all good points, Nadine... for me there are these 2 crucial issues, that we probably all meet in some form:
1) adjusting to a life style, where we have to learn our ropes with our body anew, in particular our feet, but overall: the mind shouldn't just try to overrule the body... listening to the body!
2) we form human relationships... indeed, its easy to fall in love with other pilgrims, usually just for the joy of a shared experience, and having company, when we want it, e.g. for the evening meal... but we also can feel attracted a bit more, or notice that the other one is, and we have to deal with that, as consciously, compassionately and honestly as we can, for our own sake as well as for the other's.
But on a very nice note: a friend of mine walked the camino, met another pilgrim the first day, and they kept on walking together... a year later, they married, and are now a very happy couple... that also can happen!! 😎
I'm planning on doing my first Camino in April 2025. I've been watching many videos. I love Nadine's attitude. Even when she was in a monsoon -like down pour, stating "This is so bad", she still had a smile and positive attitude. I hope to meet people on the Camino that are like-minded.
That’s my plan !! 2025 April from France . Still learning
May 2025 for me!!!
@@OutonaLimbwithKymme to, love to know your plans .
In all my camino's and travels in general, once I walk out of my room or away from my bed I will always stop and look back or not actually shut the door and walk back in for a last check.
When I stop during the day, I always take a few steps then look back where I was sitting.
It's habit now and I do it without thinking, even today i was out for a day walk where I live and I can remember doing this both times I stopped for a break
Yes, a very good process and while I also do that, one day while arriving at this village on the first stages of the Meseta, I arrived at this wattering place where everyone was stopping to replenish their water supply & refresh, I also stopped and took off backpack & money pouch, my hat & walking stick & a local lady began to talk to me. After a while I collected my things & got going and it was about 200 or 300 meters I realized I did not have my money pouch. Those were the fastest 200-300 meters I walked. The lady I had been talking to she was bringing me my pouch. I hugged her❤
@@AidaJof I have heard many stories of people leaving things behind and fellow pilgrims, the spanish, albergues etc teaming together to forward items left behind ❤
@@traveller9292 The spirit of fellowship is incredible and you feel it throughout ... I was very fortunate and I am eternally grateful❤️
@@traveller9292 I also saw a number of notes left alongside the Camino and bulletin boards of valuables being lost, yes - the communities, hospitaleros, Policia Civil, other pilgrims rally together ... beautiful🙏
Hi Nadine, when I walked the Norte, some of the pilgrims headed down to Oviedo and onto the Primitivo. I thought that was a bit strange. And when I walked the Primitivo, I met several who came off the Norte, joining the Primitivo at Oviedo. My suggestion is to stay on the Norte and complete that Camino. There was never a doubt in my mind to stray from the Norte. The last 14 to 16 stages on the Norte are glorious. One can always return to Spain and walk the Primitivo independently, like you and I have.
So, my takeaways from this video... listen to your body... be flexible... stay true to yourself. All solid advice for the Camino... and life. :) Cheers and adventure on!
Great advice. Some comments:
1) Consider getting a Tile, or AirTag, and put all super important stuff in that, and that in your bag. Great peace of mind.
2) yes, it’s amazing how quickly hot spots balloon into blisters. I know this, but one day, it was raining and i just didn’t want to stop. Big mistake. Now i take a foam accordion pad anyway, and tarp. In the future, if i get a hot spot and its raining, it’s worth totally stopping and setting up the tarp in the rain and sitting on my pad and taking a break to address the hot spot. It’s that important.
3) I’ll disagree about the water, or add a caveat. Yes, people need to be hydrated, but esp on hot days or rainy days (where you sweat inside rain gear), they need electrolytes and proper nutrition, not just water. On the AT, i totally “bonked” or “hit the wall” on a rainy day. I was sweating so profusely AND drinking lots of water… but the more water you drink while sweating, the more your electrolyte balance gets messed up for the worse. I’ve seen this happen to a dog that was over-drinking stream water on a hot day and passed out and vomited water (they can die this way). My whole body went into muscle spasms (fortunately, under my tarp). If you’ve seen pro tennis players collapse onto the ground in 100 F weather in total body spasms, you’ll get the idea. And those players, and me, were fully hydrated with water…water wasn’t the problem, electrolyte balance was the problem.. You can get electrolytes ideally from food, or drinks, or packets. The packets are best b/c they are lightweight and can be used in emergencies, and you can get the ones without sugar.
4) the above leads to a bigger issue - nutrition. I made a big mistake going off my normal low carb diet when I hit the Camino. Most people are ignorant about normal-life nutrition, let alone hiking nutrition, which is more complicated and with more severe consequences if you mess it up. I suggest everybody interested watch Gear Skeptic’s incredible video series on hiking nutrition in particular. In general, I’ve gone to a fish-heavy keto friendly anti-inflammatory diet to optimize my hiking (but great for normal life too). That’s a mouthful, but basically lots of small fish (to avoid mercury), and anti-inflammatory foods which make a drastic difference in all the aches and pains you experience while hiking and the next day. No more ibuprofen (which can lead to stomach problems and other issues of taking daily) or disrupted sleep from soreness. This has made the biggest difference in my hiking and comfort- much faster recovery times and NO food cravings. I must warn people though - eating lots of oily fish has side effects: like glowing skin and thicker hair and bigger, firmer, longer lasting…hikes. Canned sardines in olive oil (from Portugal and Spain, which are the best producers of these) are used by Michelin star chefs at tapas bars. Just don’t eat the bread. You want FAT on the trail b/c of caloric density, not sugars (which are comparatively heavy, inefficient energy sources and create cravings). But watch Gear Skeptic’s science-based rigorous analysis and public spreadsheet that shows all hiker foods nutritional content. He’s not advocating any particular diet, just giving the facts about what’s in food and the impacts on hiking. The highest caloric density food is basically olive oil. And so AT and PCT hikers take bottles of olive oil or olive oil packets on long stretches and add it to meals and drinks liberally. Olive oil packets can be taken as emergency food on the Camino.. But if you’re at a bed and breakfast or hotel or hostel with a bottle of olive oil - take two spoonfuls before heading out. Even Starbucks is getting in on the action and jacking up the global price of olive oil by adding it to their coffee.
5) Related to the above- caffeine addiction and sugar cravings are real problems on the Camino, as anyone who watches Nadine knows. If you’re a caffeine addict, take caffeine powder or supplements or low sugar dark chocolate back-up. Better yet - wean yourself off caffeine before hiking the Camino or going on any hiking trip. I made the mistake of getting my caffeine kick by drinking Coke (instead of my normal green tea), something i had regularly as a child and quit as an adult. I then became addicted to Coke on the Camino like Nadine savoring her coffee. Literally an addict. My mind could only think about that first coke, with ice, at the first open cafe. Absurd. It was both a caffeine craving and sugar craving. Now - I’m on keto diet, eat lots of healthy fat (avocados), i can take nutrient dense nuts and seeds as back-up food, a can of high quality Portuguese sardines for an emergency (very filling fish fat and protein and olive oil) and, most importantly, I intermittently fast now. Fasting has become trendy, but it’s great preparation for hikers who involuntarily fast whenever they run out of food or are far away from a town (or, in Spain, esp during the off-season, when everything is closed on Sundays, because of God, and on Mondays, b/c it’s Monday, or Wednesdays b/c who wants to work on Wed). If you regularly, in normal life, can go a day without food (but still taking electrolytes as needed), then you’ll be much better prepared for long stretches without food on hiking trails. the main benefits are mental as much as physical. It’s a physical benefit to be sure (look up “autophagy”), but just my mind is no longer going insane about coke or sugar or caffeine or food and i’m not so worried about finding food. Ketones literally go to your brain to feed it and protect it. But that needs training and preparing before starting a Camino or hike. Alternately, you can be a caffeine junky with sugar cravings which is like being a meth-head or nicotine addict. My diet isn’t so much about losing weight as it is about hiking comfortably, with minimal added food weight, and without bonking and with lots of cushion to go hours or days without food, if need be. A Keto fish-based Mediterranean diet is very easy to do in Spain…they basically invented it. Sure, I’ll eat plenty of great Spanish cheese and jamon, but the fish is most anti-inflammatory. too many people focus on the war of diets for weight loss, and different strokes for different folks… but when hiking, most people should care more about inflammation, electrolytes, nutrient density of food (foods that are worth the weight to carry) and involuntary fasting (running out of food). My biggest mistake on trail was eating hiker trash food and thinking that my body needs lots of sugar, coke, snickers bars and carbs for the extra exercise. Totally wrong. And I suffered for it. Never again.
Wow! Thank you so much for your information. That is Gold! 🙏
Hiking pole a big yes, now having walked 4 Camino’s I usually remind others…..leaving wet sock that didn’t dry the night before, hung them on my bunk they were expensive an favourite.. lesson learnt…thanks for sharing…😊
great stuff, Nadine...just catching up with your videos...2 great stories about leaving documents behind, been there, one was on the last morning of our first Camino in Lavacolla, we were 8 in our Camino family and 1 in our group left her purse at a restaurant but did not realize until the next morning, the morning we would all walk arm in arm into Santiago. Good news we awakened the proprietor early in the morning and got her purse and all was good. So, yes, always double check. We have walked 3 Caminos and a Via di Francesco in Italy, and there are always...'I wish I would have' or 'if only' but no regrets so as an old friend always says 'let your heart beat' and if you need to return...you will...I am hoping to! many blessings! and buen camino
I am so glad you recorded this!
I'm glad too! :)
I was planning my first Camino this year but it's not to be, maybe next year, but I do a lot of hiking here in Australia. I'm very much a solo walker so mistake #3 resonated with me hugely. I'd love to know how you explain that to others? Pics - I hate taking selfies, but I do at least try to take some for "proof" that I've been there. My pics are all about the scenery and others... You have so many amazing videos, just take a screenshot from your videos if you don'r like to take pics (it's worked for me so far). We Aussies call the outdoors bathroom the "bush wee". Just find a bush and do your thing!
Thanks for sharing your mistakes. I’m going on my first Camino in April of this year. You gave me a lot to think about, particularly about how I want to walk. I want to follow my own heart for this!
Yes, following your heart on the Camino is one of the most important things! (for me, at least) :)
Nadine, I am so grateful for all your wondeful videos. This particular one has,been very helpful. I have made a few notes. I am walking the Camino for the first time in May. I am already planning to walk at my own pace and smell the 🌹 💐. If I feel like staying in a town and I only walked 8km that day , I will stay. If I run out of time and need to finish the Camino, I will catch a bus or Taxi. That will be my Camino. 🙏🌻🌹
Thanks Nadine. Very valuable indeed.
The importance of splitting ones money so you have an emergency stache..... somewhere... 👍
What another lovely video, thank you! I likewise compromised a camino to adjust/placate/please others and was a bit disappointed with myself. I had put my own needs and wants second, again, to go on someone else's terms. As friendly as they were! I struggle with my adaptability sometimes. I'm very flexible and will change plans often, sometimes for myself, but oftentimes for others. I'm trying to do this less often, while keeping a balance, of course.
My biggest mistake on my first camino was letting my ego rule the hours and kilometres I did every day. Won't do that again! lol
Have been on the french camino twice. What i learned on the first one (and did not repeat on the second) was not to pack my fears. On the first one i carried way too much clothing and stupid items in my pack. From first to second camino i went from about 12 kilos to about 6 kilos included the backpack. The other big mistake was to walk in boots on the first camino and in trailrunners on the second. And wow! it really made a difference 🙂
I made the same footwear mistake on my first camino, trail runners on the 2nd camino and everytime since
I really appreciate this, thank you. I always hope that when I get to walk the Camino, it’s alone. No one to answer to but myself. I completely understand.
Yes, it's one of the things that makes the Camino experience so special. I know that there are a lot of people who love walking with others, or meeting someone and walking with them, but for me... to be able to ask myself what I want and then give it to myself, 100% of the time, when I'm on the Camino... it's so special and important. I hope that this will be your experience as well, when you get to walk the Camino!
Thank You for sharing Nadine
This was such a great episode! So personal and so useful. Three things really stood out for me as I prepare to do a Camino. I also am very "continuous footpath"--it would really crush me if for some reason I had to skip a section and take a taxi or train. I guess I could just go back and re-do the section I skipped once the situation was resolved, if I had the time, but it would certainly stress me out. When I hike it is one of my guiding principles. Second thing is photos--yes! I have read the surveys that are given to PCT thru-hikers every year, and one of the questions is always what would you do differently on the trail? The top answer is always take more photos, particularly of people. I tend to be much more landscape-photo-focused and need to think about getting more people in them. Third thing is water--yes, I have always been really bad about drinking enough water while hiking/walking, and it is just in the last few years that I have really tried to make myself drink more. As I get older, I feel it becoming more and more of an issue.
I know, I still really love to walk every step of a path, but I think it's also been good for me to be flexible and more relaxed about that. It helps that I've done lots of Caminos though- that first Camino, I also think I would have been crushed if I had to skip part of it.
I only wish there were a "love" icon to hit. Thank you for your many helpful tips as I prepare for my first camino.
You're very welcome!
Very useful video. I could relate to compromising. I did that on a long distance bike ride and it really affected my enjoyment. I think as women we are brought up as people-pleasers.
Good lessons. I put an apple air tag in my document pouch. If I leave it behind, my phone alerts me.
An apple air tag? Can you tell me more?
@@lehop1 An air tag is a button shaped tracker sold by apple. You can put it on things you don’t want to loose. If you leave it, it can send a message to iphone, it can also help you locate it again, if lost, can provide a contact phone number for the finder. Takes a standard coin battery that lasts around a year. Useful for travel, can put in suitcase, wallet, documents etc. Google and you will find lots of info. They cost about 30 euro. When hiking I have an air tag with my documents and wallet.
Air tags are awesome!! They are little disks you buy from Apple and you put the disk on anything that you want to track. You can put them in your car if you are scared of theft. You can put them in luggage or in your child’s backpack. Wherever you want. They are the size of a quarter. Next you configure them (very easy). Then you can use the Apple feature called “find my” to find your item. You click on find my car, find my wallet, find my child etc. I am sure that android has something similar but I don’t know what the product is called.
walking the del norte in 2022 i didnt "understood" pilgrims who were switching to the primitivo. we had some big discussions going on :) interesting, at least in my experience, most of the pilgrims switching were women. only two guys did the switch. one who already walked the norte before. conclusion at that time was, women like to be more spontaneous and flexible with their plans, and like the idea of "making it their own" in a sense. while man are more simple or "strict" and more interested in doing something exclusively. there is nothing wrong with any side or opinion, and I know thats not a rule or a fact. many women kept walking on the del norte too, but it seems like there is a pattern and I find it very interesting. great video nadine!
That's amazing great Karma retrieving your valuables , I'm getting anxious as I leave in 23 days. Did 50 miles this week with all my gear. I'm so lucky for my training environment..
Sounds like you're doing some great training! I always get nervous in the weeks leading up to a Camino... but once I see my first arrow so much of that nervousness turns into excitement and happiness. Buen Camino!!
Hello Nadine! The biggest mistake I made on a Camino was planning for too long stages. Onsome days I planned to walk 36-40 km and I was convinced it would be easy. Nothing could have been more wrong... after my third day which ended up being 44 km I couldn’t put my right foot on the ground anymore and painkillers just didn’t work. At some point I even layed down in the middle of meseta as I wasn’t able to walk anymore. Apparently, having a heavy backpack and consistently going large distance resulted in a severe foot inflammation which took approximately a week to heal. Lesson learned, I don’t do more than 25 km now, better going slow but steady and safe.
Oh yes, walking long stages (especially too early in a walk!) can be a big 'mistake!' It can be hard to know- initially- how much our bodies are able to handle, and overdoing it too early can have bad consequences (as you learned!). A really valuable lesson- thanks for sharing
How many times have I left my hiking poles behind at a cafe or room or outside a shop (5 times last year).
Due to hip problems I had my pack transported. I booked accommodation a few days ahead and one day my pack just didn't arrive. On investigation I found I'd sent it a stage further ahead. I had to take a taxi to fetch it. It was very odd to enter my next days albergue but I was relieved to find it. The taxi driver was very nice which was a relief with my small amount of Spanish. At least I had all my valuables with me 😊
Nice editing job. You made me laugh. Thanks.. 😎
Thanks! :)
Hi Nadine, I am doing the coastal Camino from Porto Portugal to Santiago de Compostela. Can you please let me know if you have a particular albergue in Porto that you can recommend. Thanks
I am planning to do my first Camino sometime this year and your videos have helped me tremendously. If I’m lucky, maybe I will even bump into you on one of yours. You have a wonderful style of presenting information.
I'm so glad that these videos have helped you with your planning!
Don't know what it is about a Camino that causes people to do things they would never do at home. Not listening to your body seems to be a big one - ignoring incipient blisters, early pains in places that normally don't have them, risking dehydration, etc. You get one body, no refunds and it has to last your whole life. Damage it now and you might not be able to do things later.
As for forgetting things, remember you're in a new and different environment so you can't rely on old habits and familiar routine to keep track of things. You have to conscientiously think about them or carry a small check list to help so you just have to remember use the list.
The blister mistake and pictures... I had a hole in the bottom of my foot on both of my caminos ha. I also want to take more pictures of my companions on my next camino
Haha, blisters are no joke!!
Thanks!
So generous, thank you 💛💛💛
Hello Resilent feet, BTW I so luv your vlogs and determination.
I've done Portuguese and plan to walk the Frances mud September. I'm planning to smell the flowers and coffee con leche,and savor the Pilgrimage trek.
OK about number one solution out in the wild.. there's a urinating device called Tinkle Belle.. check it out toavoid squatting..😅
However, one must follow directions and practice using it to avoid a messy situation.
Anyhow, thanks for all your tips and your inspiration.
Jozee from California
Helpful information. I start my Camino April 17. First timer. Starting in SJPP. I'm not one like likes big crowds which is why I am thinking of heading on too the San Salvador at Leon then continuing onto the Primitivo. Being that this is my first time do you think I would miss out in not continuing on the Frances? The crowds in Sarria just don't excite me.
I think this is all going to depend on how you feel once you arrive in Leon. The San Salvador/Primtivo combo is wonderful, but it's going to feel very different from the Frances, and of course you'll leave everyone you've gotten to know/recognize on the Frances. This might be the biggest factor, though you'll also miss out on some really nice parts of the Frances (like Cruz de Ferro, O Cebreiro, etc). And once you hit Sarria, you can always try to stage 'off-stage' and this really helps separate you from where the majority of pilgrims stay (and by consequence, much of the walking will be quieter as well). But luckily, you don't have to make any decisions until you're nearing Leon, so I would just see how you're feeling about it then!
Thanks for the advice Nadine. @@NadineWalks
Hello Nadine, another great video. Thank you for sharing your mistakes.
I have only done one Camino, the Francés, so I can relate only from that experience but learning from you as I prepare for my Portuguese. 1-I had struck a friendship w/another Canadian who was on his 4th Camino (2nd Frances) and whenever I would catch up to him trail we would walk together & eat together until about the 4th day he did say that he was going ahead otherwise he'd be walking someone else's Camino and I took the hint. 2-Not treating my blisters and thinking they will go away, they never did. They got bigger but also got others. 3-Carrying too much stuff adding to my foot problems.
From your experiences and what you have witnessed, is it preferable to do a Camino by yourself or together with a good friend or family relative (not meeting up and joining a stranger during the actual camino)?
@@zazhou Tricky issue because no two people walk at the same pace. I had trained so my pace was quicker than most. Rituals ie., eating, bathroom breakes, pace resting, walking distance for the day will be different. I chose to do it by myself and I was happy I did, I only have to satisfy myself for the decisions I made. The Camino Frances is well supported and is very safe for a solo traveller, even a solo female pilgrim who is also senior. In the fall of 2022, I saw lots of police patrolling, who are very helpful in case you need it even if it is for directions. One time, after walking for two hours and still dark at 7 am I wanted at cafe con leche and I was arriving at this town with various roads and not sure which one would take me into town, I flagged this patrolman who stopped and was happy to point me into town. It does not get better than that.
@@AidaJof noted and thank you for your perspective
@AidaJof Another Canadian travelling the Portuguese this spring? I am beginning on May 4th from Porto. Maybe I will see you!
@@loreeraine7273 Nice to have another Canadian on the Camino. If we find one another on trail, we should have a cup of coffee or a beer. In the meantime, Buen Camino pilgrim🙋♀️
You seem to really like Spain, I hope u can live in Spain some day, maybe Galicia or Cantabria or País Vasco 😊
Well Nadine, I always seem to make the same mistake every time. I never seem to learn enough of the “native” language. By the kindness of the Spaniards, I’ve managed to scrape by.
I guess the other mistakes I’m guilty of are not taking enough photos, not going to mass enough and singing in the shower. The latter really got up the nose of my dorm officer in Burgos , as did the whistling, the La-la-ing and the harmonica.
But hey, when you get to my age…..
Ooh, so true, I still haven't learned enough Spanish even though, ever year, I promise myself that I'll make an effort to learn more. (and singing in the shower... ha!!)
My mistake on first Camino was not having hiking poles nor bringing a poncho and relying on raincoat and pack cover.
I've never walked with a poncho and sometimes I wonder if I'd like it more than my rain jacket/pack cover combo...
@@NadineWalks I found that the water dripped between my pack and my rain coat and got the back of my pack wet. Not to mention my shorts/pants. Second time I used poncho that covered pack all the way down to my shins and it rained a lot that time but I was dry!!
Надин, Вы очень классная и красивая девушка! Спасибо за то, что делитесь своим опытом с нами!
Hi Nadine! The story with that man who wanted to walk with you even though you didn't want to walk with him, it sounds at the same time wild but also so so relatable, probably for most women. Almost like stalking? Maybe he felt like he needed to protect you or that he liked you? I'd be super interested in hearing the whole story, only if you were comfortable sharing it of course, if not no problem. I think it might be a very common Camino issue for women alone.
I'm obsessive compulsive in my pocket checking.... my personal audit 🧐. As you can relate, Camino is a bit like life & appreciation of the different seasons.... Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter & without the 'hardships' of each, one doesn't fully appreciate the plus points of the other. Things WILL balance out & if you are feeling low, things WILL improve.
Wierdly I wouldn't really change anything as my Camino family reflects my experiences & my walking speed.
Also I make myself go to the 🚽 🚻, to mitigate surprises 😂
Sad to read a 'so so relatable' comment like this from someone that has never walked a camino, in many camino's I have never experienced 'stalking' only a joy of spending time with people you click with.
On 2 camino's I preferred my space and it was always given and respected
@@traveller9292 Sorry if I was unclear!! I didn't mean it was relatable for Camino walking, just for the general female experience of life that I have had - at festivals, outings, even just life in general. I've had similar experiences several times where nothing has been overly "bad" but I've just felt uncomfortable
In fact I'm expecting that the Camino will NOT be like that, from what I've read from female pilgrims 😊
@@sseriksson4076 I have met a 16yo girl on the camino and a 84yo lady both walking alone and shared the same experience as I have had, pilgrims have your back and always let you do your camino how you want.
I hope your first camino is everything all of mine have been ❤
Thanks for sharing the unfamiliarity of outdoor peeing. It's a dread of mine. After listening to you, I am already psyching myself up to it, so that I don't avoid drinking water because of it.
If I can do it, you can do it!!
TOO LONG TO GET TO THE POINT - THE MISTAKES I MADE