Sign at entrance to Santiago

[gloria lowe]

I have passed this sign 4 times coming into Santiago and the first time in 2014 really liked it as it was a welcome to be here. 2017 it was still fairly decent looking. 2019 I thought it was getting trashy and today, 2021, the one with the pink and yellow ponchos, it is disgusting to me. Maybe it’s just me but today I just thought it was like dogs marking their territory. I tried to put them order but beyond my skill level.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Yes, I agree it is so very tacky. If the sign had been adhered to a solid backing, the temptation to add brick-a-brack would have been avoided.
EDIT...Or not, as I see stickers all over the letters themselves.

May 2015

 

[Glamgrrl]

Your point is well examples. Sadly, this marking happens the whole Camino.

 

[darealdeal77]

It’s a shame! The same goes for the littering all throughout Camino Frances. When we did our Camino in 2014, I told a friend back home “Who needs to follow the Yellow markers, just follow the toilet paper!” People don’t believe in LEAVE NO TRACE, only leave footprints! It’s pretty sad, that we humans have no consideration for others and the environment! Buen Camino!

 

[stinmd]

It’s a shame! The same goes for the littering all throughout Camino Frances. When we did our Camino in 2014, I told a friend back home “Who needs to follow the Yellow markers, just follow the toilet paper!” People don’t believe in LEAVE NO TRACE, only leave footprints! It’s pretty sad, that we humans have no consideration for others and the environment! Buen Camino!

On my last Camino, some idiot had spray-painted the word "LOVE" all over the place, which is far worse than littering since those can't easily be removed/erased.

 

[Bert45]

What's wrong with people? When I walked past Lavacolla in 2016 I took the attached photo. It hadn't been like that in 2014. I contacted the authorities in Santiago and asked them to tidy it up. There's the 'broken windows theory' which you can google if you're not familiar with it. It seems that all it needs is one idiot who thinks it would be a good idea to leave some memento of his passing, and a hundred sheep will follow suit.

 

[Turga]

A symptom of these times, i’m afraid. Some time ago, one of my very old relatives (she is 93 but mentally quite sharp) told me: “I’m so glad that I lived most of my life in the previous millennium”, and though I am considerably younger, I understood exactly what she meant.

 

[VNwalking]

What's wrong with people?

Ego. Thoughtlessness. A few other things, perhaps, who knows? The more pressing question is how to clean it up, and who has to foot the bill for that. It doesn't seem fair that the ayutamiento has to pay to clean up this junk.

 

[MichaelB10398]

Humans can be such desperate little creatures. Desperate to be remembered and desperate to be noticed. There is such a high degree of insecurity within so many humans. Unfortunately, their personal interests begin and end at the end of their nose.
So many are incapable of being aware of others - that a community of humans exist around them. They are only able to see their own wants and desires.
It is the "me" generation on steroids.

 

[Phoenix]

Not sure our kind hearted canine friends deserve the comparison to the ways of humans.

 

[MariaSP]

Sadly, it looks like this trend has reached the Obradoiro square in Santiago.
https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notic...K1PGF3jvNEByuUGurZBiqm1JW3V8STAlHYyFg69TltyJM

 

[VNwalking]

Boy I sure hope they nip this trend in the bud quickly. They cant stop selfish sentimental littering. But frequent disposal of this rubbish will help discourage it.

 

[JPL]

Perhaps everyone who reads this post should pick up a couple pieces of trash next time they are on the camino? I know I will.

 

[darealdeal77]

On my last Camino, some idiot had spray-painted the word "LOVE" all over the place, which is far worse than littering since those can't easily be removed/erased.

I hear you! People need to be educated in the “Leave No Trace Principles!” Take only pictures, Leave only footprints!

 

[jmcarp]

It is the "Me" generation, after all. Look at me...I was here. Very childish and disrespectful of someone else's property, either public or private.

 

[henrythedog]

This particular man’s best friend is concerned only with procreation, consumption and defecation; so far as I can tell. He seems to regard the first and second as his right, and the consequences of the third as my problem.

When he chooses to mark his territory - which appears to consist of the entire United Kingdom and a good part of France if his behaviour is anything to go by - it has a purpose. It communicates his presence to other, clearly inferior, animals in a way they understand and appreciate.

Human litter, and the vast majority of graffiti (I’ll allow that some has artistic merit), serves a purpose only in the mind of those responsible; in my opinion.

In the words of the late, lamented, Mel Smith:

‘Cut their goolies off’

 

[Corned Beef]

The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.

Socrates 624BC

We don’t have a monopoly on complaints

 

[Kathy F.]

Perhaps the credencial should include, on the first page, a warning to not be a pig and to Leave No Trace. I can imagine local villagers wondering if the cost of the desecration of their environment is worth the Camino running through their town.
Hmmm, I think I answered my own question. I'm sure it is economics.

 

[Yoyo]

I like to think that most forum members wouldn't dream of littering Spain with stickers, shoes or other stuff – but that particular Santiago de Compostela sign has become somewhat of a landmark in itself. I guess most of us have photographed it or even posed in front of it.

My guess is that Santiago authorities strategically placed it there (next to a busy road, well outside the historic city center) to give arriving pilgrims so inclined a place to do their ritual. This way, the mess is kept to one place rather than all over the city or even in the vecinity of the cathedral, and they only have to clean up the area a few times a year. Otherwise, they could have taken the sign down years ago. The official Santiago street sign is just a few meters down the road.

 

[lt56ny]

Perhaps everyone who reads this post should pick up a couple pieces of trash next time they are on the camino? I know I will.

I try to pick up a few things every day. I can't say it is alot but i try.

 

[RJM]

Who knows why they do it. Selfish? Childish? Product of poor parenting? Mentally ill? Who knows? I just look upon the culprits as rude idiots.

 

[Mmmclean]

It’s a shame! The same goes for the littering all throughout Camino Frances. When we did our Camino in 2014, I told a friend back home “Who needs to follow the Yellow markers, just follow the toilet paper!” People don’t believe in LEAVE NO TRACE, only leave footprints! It’s pretty sad, that we humans have no consideration for others and the environment! Buen Camino!

I never use TP when I have to go outside. I figured out how to do it years ago when I was a runner. Also, I brought dog poop bags "just in case" and had to use it once. I packed wet wipes for that purpose. I cleaned up after myself and carried it to a town and used one of the city garbage receptacles. Sorry if that is too much info, but think about it. Never throw even organic waste such as fruit pits, cores or peels either. I keep a baggie for that.

 

[Bob P]

On my last Camino, some idiot had spray-painted the word "LOVE" all over the place, which is far worse than littering since those can't easily be removed/erased.

"Love wins" in red paint....
Every marker after Sarria into Santiago in 2018. I think I would have strangled them if I caught them. They weren't far ahead as paint was fresh.
MUCH less graffiti before Ocebrera

 

[Gabi Wehler]

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I have passed this sign 4 times coming into Santiago and the first time in 2014 really liked it as it was a welcome to be here. 2017 it was still fairly decent looking. 2019 I thought it was getting trashy and today, 2021, the one with the pink and yellow ponchos, it is disgusting to me. Maybe it’s just me but today I just thought it was like dogs marking their territory. I tried to put them order but beyond my skill level.

That is disgusting, disgraceful and disrespectful. Not funny at all. It’s a beautiful sign to see in arrival in Santiago. Didn’t see any trash in 2019. Just also read the article about pilgrims dumping their stuff at n around the cathedral. Maybe it’s time to place warning in multiple languages that there will be fines issued. Sad