Different Sarria World

[Pablo Campo]

I visited Sarria today to obtain a credencial before I start my next Camino on Sunday. Usually bustling and busy, the place was dead - streets virtually empty, and most accommodation and shops closed. In the two to three hours I was around the camino route and old town at lunchtime I only saw one Pilgrim. I really hope all those Camino businesses manage to survive the Covid shutdown and that it will soon be accessible and safe for Pilgrims to walk again.

 

[donalomahony]

Thanks @Pablo Campo Let us know how you get along. Stay safe...

 

[kay lee]

Wow!

 

[Marbe2]

WOW! Thank you! Hopeall goes well! Stay healthy!

 

[Mike Blackard]

Pablo, You lucky dog! Buen Camino! ...and please (por favor) send lots more pictures each day including Santiago. It's almost July, I'm assuming it's sunny and hot- enjoy.

 

[MarkyD]

I visited Sarria today to obtain a credencial before I start my next Camino on Sunday. Usually bustling and busy, the place was dead - streets virtually empty, and most accommodation and shops closed. In the two to three hours I was around the camino route and old town at lunchtime I only saw one Pilgrim. I really hope all those Camino businesses manage to survive the Covid shutdown and that it will soon be accessible and safe for Pilgrims to walk again.


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El Camino is having a breather. The businesses will bounce back, hopefully without too much trouble. Some might inevitably go under, maybe the Camino Associations in Spain could club together in some way to support those that need it.
All we can do is be prepared to pay more next time we are there to try and help compensate them for lost business.
Unfortunately, Spain has a significant tourist sector, the Camino de Santiago being part of that, where many people have come to rely on the steady flow of ever increasing numbers of pilgrims in recent years. At some point something was going to give. This may sound bad, I just don't know how else to put it.
It will recover, hopefully sooner rather than later. It may even improve in certain aspects, for which we will all benefit. I think this year is just going to be different. Me and my wife plan to do at least 10 days on one of the Caminos, probably around end of August. We will splash the cash, as much as we can afford anyway - tipping albergues and bars as much as we are able. I don't know what else we can do to help.

 

[David61]

Almost exactly one year ago, although it was about seven in the morning.