All the pilgrims numbers for the first 9 months of 2014

[JohnnieWalker]

Dear Friends

Greetings from Santiago. I have now posted the statistics until 30 September 2014. They continue to make interesting reading. Overall numbers are up 9.6% compared to last year. The number of pilgrims from the United States has also increased with the US now firmly in 5th place in the list of countries. You can see the full analysis here: http://www.johnniewalker-santiago.blogspot.com

Enjoy

John

 

[alansykes]

Dear John,

Thanks for posting these, always interesting, although I suspect they somehow underestimate the "otros caminos", as 597 seems a really very low number for those of us who pursue the "roads less travelled". Hope you have a wonderful time in Japan and sorry that this year we won't have our December encounter. Perhaps in 2015 (dv)?

 

[jirit]

..."This will be my last blog post for this year. Perhaps for longer. In a few days time I am off to walk the pilgrimage route of 88 temples on the Japanese Island of Japan. I have allowed 63 days for this pilgrimage including a few days visiting Kyoto and Tokyo...."

John

Enjoy your walk in Japan and hopefully you discover the path to your next journey in life.

Regards

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Thanks to all for your best wishes.I meant "the Japanese island of Shikoku" of course!

 

[tominrm]

John, good luck with your Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage. Don't forget to blog After you return. I also am thinking about the tour in 2016.

 

[Lydia Gillen]

John, May the road rise before you,
May the wind be always at your back,
And my God hold you in the hollow of his hand until we meet again
Lydia

 

[Al the optimist]

Enjoy John. Hope all goes well.

 

[t2andreo]

Thanks to all for your best wishes.I meant "the Japanese island of Shikoku" of course!

Our best wishes and prayers for a successful and healthy journey will accompany you with each step you take. Enjoy the time away.

Do take in the hot springs if you have the opportunity.

 

[Pelegrin]

Your reports are very interesting. Hope you have a great time in Japan.

 

[Madidi]

John, all the very best for your Japan trip. I hope your 'period of reflection and evaluation' answers all your questions.

Take care, be safe.

S.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

September 2014 averaged 1,133 compostelas per day. October is only 847 per day and dropping (519 today). Current arrivals started in SJPdP some 33 days ago. It would be a good guess that pilgrims can avoid crowds by starting after mid-September.

In case anyone is asking...

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The lure of the last 100km is still here. There were 1,085 compostelas yesterday, double the previous day.

 

[peregrina2000]

The lure of the last 100km is still here. There were 1,085 compostelas yesterday, double the previous day.

So, I wonder if there's anyway someone could take over while John's gone and until he wants to do it again and provide these great monthly reports? I know a lot of us find them very interesting.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Yesterday had the lowest number of compostelas since April. A strategy to avoid crowding in September would seem to be avoiding leaving Sarria on Saturday or Sunday. The weekend "hump" arrives in Santiago on Friday and Saturday. If you are ahead of it or behind it, beds should be plentiful. With good timing, September still looks like a good month to walk.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

It looks like October arrivals will be up over 20% in 2014 compared to 2013. No wonder there is a perception of crowds; pilgrims departing SJPdP in September will be arrivals in October, so they may have had 30 days of feeling a bed race. September may not have the crush of July and August, but it is not really a quiet season anymore. (And the bed race is imaginary from a statistical point of view.)

 

[peregrina2000]

Oh, Johnnie we miss you! Is there anyone who can tell us the Oct. totals? Or at least tell me where I can find them on the pilgrims office web page? Thanks, Laurie

 

[Deleted member 3000]

http://peregrinossantiago.es/esp/oficina-del-peregrino/estadisticas/