I loved my first experience of walking the Camino de Santiago. Undoubtedly, the people you meet along the way make the journey so much more interesting and enjoyable. Here are 7 types of people you’ll meet on the Camino de Santiago.
If you’re wondering who you’ll meet, here’s a bit of a satirical look at the seven camino archetypes that I encountered along the way.
Make sure you also read 7 habits to avoid when walking the Camino de Santiago!
The Young Guns
The young guns are gap year students or taking a summer out of university. They are footloose and fancy free. They can be found chatting late into the night, socialising and maybe enjoying a few drinks. But this doesn’t stop them in the morning! They’ll be first out the blocks at 0600. Or if they’re not, they will soon catch up as they walk as fast as their young legs can carry them. They remain miraculously injury free, bar a few pesky blisters. They sleep soundly, never waking up in the night for a pee! And they are oh, so, optimistic. You can’t help but have a smile on your face when you meet one. Thease are one of the first types you’ll meet on the camino.
The Flirts in Disguise
Our second type of person you’ll meet on the camino is a subset of the young guns (mainly.) This group are ostensibly walking the Camino. But really they’re hunting for a spot of transient romance. Find them chatting to the nearest singletons, revelling in their favourite flirtatious stories night after night.
The Old Timers
The Old Timers are out on the Camino representing their generation. Many are in their 60s or 70s and they are owning it! But the old timers are not to be underestimated – they are speedy. Just when you think you’ve overtaken one, you stop for a 5 minute break and they are hot on your heels. They walk with an air of wisdom and authority and are full of useful bits of advice for other walkers. Long may the old timers keep walking! Always happy to meet them on any Camino.
The 4th types of person you’ll meet on the Camino…The Camino Die Hards
This is not their first rodeo. And the fourth type of person you’ll meet on the Camino are the Camino Die Hards have been here before. They’ve walked the Primotivo, they’ve walked the Frances, hell they’ve probably walked all the routes backwards with a blindfold. They are the Camino experts. A few have Camimo tattoos, some have matted hair and bongos, others have settled for sewing various Camino badges to their hiking bags. Make sure you chat to the Camino Die Hards, they’ve got some wonderful stories to tell.
The Logisticians….the 5th type of person you’ll meet on the camino
Oh the Logisticians. These people are the recovering “Type A” personalities, there are our next of 7 types of people you’ll meet on the camino. They’ve probably chosen to walk the Camino to get away from work and their non-stop busy lives. But, find themselves on the Camino using all the apps and maps to plan each day carefully. They’ll be combing the Google reviews, aiming only for top rated accommodation and restaurants. They will even seek out other Logisticians to compare notes. But let’s admit it, we’d all be lost without them!
The Couples
Ah this lot. The Couples are doing their own thing and will be the sixth type of person you’ll meet on the camino. They’ll dip in and out of the Albergues, sometimes opting for private rooms instead. They will socialise, but sometimes they’ll be seen indulging in a romantic dinner. You may also find them having massive arguments on the roadside. Always good entertainment!
The Plastic Fantastics
Find them on the last 100km of the Camino. They tend to carry big bags, even though they’re only joining for a short stretch. Groups of them, hoards in fact. Often blasting music from their backpacks and stopping to take all the selfies. They’ve got blisters upon blisters from their hiking boots. But hey, they’re bringing the party vibes and a much needed blast of new energy!
I’ll hold my hands up. I’m a Logistician. Which one are you?
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