Post Camino Blues
The walks are done, the camaraderie is now a Facebook/WhatsAp phenomena, and the care-free living is in the past – this is living the ‘Camino Blues.’ Leaving the Camino is no difference than returning from a military deployment. The constant euphoria of living on the edge, in an artificial existence quickly wains into mental and physical exhaustion. Describing the daily surreal experiences to those who haven’t walked, fails to translate, there is little sense of satisfaction as there’s no shared basis for understanding. Isolation from your non-camino friends and family deepens as your Camino friends are further and further away. (Post Camino Blues)
With a typical military deployment, while your deployed, you think of nothing but performing in the here and now and returning home. After a short honeymoon at home you think of nothing but the next deployment. The similarities are startling. This must be why so many Caminoites return for a second and third Camino, to relive that adrenaline high from pure living, honest relationships and extreme physical burdens unfiltered from responsibilities of ‘real’ life back in the ‘real world’.
Learning the Lessons
I suppose the accomplished Pilgrim learns how to apply their Camino experiences to ‘real life’ to achieve a more fulfilling existence free of the need of the fix as a Camino Junkie. The appeal of simple, minimalistic living with a clear focus and known endstate is alluring. I suppose if one learns their lessons well and successfully integrates them, then their Camino adventure truly was a success. Perhaps for the rest of us, the influences of our former realities and commitments are too strong and another Camino, or extreme ‘fix’, or next deployment is what will consume our thoughts until they’re relived, or they too, are clouded out by real life.
I’m still working on my thoughts for the conclusion of my Camino Blog to speak to our entry into Santiago, not continuing on to Finisterre and the ending of a wonderful 34 day euphoric experience. More to follow.
Hasta
Interesting Links (Post Camino Blues)
- Photos along the Camino and throughout the Iberian Peninsula
- Return to the beginning of this Journal Blog
- Enjoy our Journal Blog about our travels throughout Italy
Lovely post and interesting correlation between the Camino and deployment. I was a bit down in the dumps for a few days after my mini-Camino but was lifted right out of it when I heard you guys arrived into to Santiago. Tks for sharing the insight and filling my ongoing Camino cravings, Pam
Pam, I was quite surprised at the similarities between the two. But, once you look at what your experiencing, the parallels become clear. It explains a lot of the postpartum like effects. Thanks for reading.