jefferyonthecamino
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2021
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Perhaps, but all those people weren't looking for, or expecting, a hot shower or to wash their clothes at the end of each day, like they are today. I do tend to look at practicalities.....like where is the water coming from for all those constantly flushing toilets (we won't talk of outdoor facilities!). I know it rains a lot in Galicia, but does it rain that much?There used to be over twice that number..............plus all those same people walking back.
It survived then, it'll survive now.
I walked the Camino Francés in 2011, the year after the last Holy Year , and as I spoke with hospitaleros and tourist office staff along the way the consensus seemed to be that people held off in 2010 because they feared the crowds.That's what the Xunta foresees for the Holy Year of 2021.
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notici...corrido-camino-va-ano/0003_201511S2C19910.htm
I suspect the various Camino routes, including the Frances will survive, as others have mentioned. At times, bed space will be at a premium. But, I rather suspect the local population along the various routes will adapt to cash in on the surge in business. Look for more ad hoc municipal albergues to "pop up" in sports halls and community centers.
However, I opine that the real issue occurs when those pilgrims arrive at the Pilgrim Office for their documentation (Compostela,certificate of distance, etc.). This office has been hard pressed on days when more then 1,500 pilgrims arrive to be documented in recent years. The burden is partially base don the volume. But, in my observation, adding documents for optional sale (Certificate of Distance) and all the various Camino-related souvenirs just slows the core mission down.
I worked as an Amigo in 2014, when the Compostela was issued, the mileage certificate had just been introduced, and there were few souvenir items to be purchased. Returning for a month in 2015, I saw immediately that the waiting queues were doubled in size and time. This could be directly proportional to the staff having to issue two documents for a greater percentage of pilgrims (the Compostela and Mileage Certificate, then having to negotiate the purchase of one or more souvenir items. Handling money was also an issue that worked to slow the overall process.
However, for 2016, the Pilgrim Office is moving to newly renovated enlarged space at 33 Rua das Carretas. This is the first right at the bottom of the "ramp" to the left of the Parador de Santiago - Hostal Reis Catolicos. Number 33 is on the left, at the end of the first block.
Work is being completed as we "speak." The office and staff should be moved over well before the 2016 season starts around Semana Santa (Easter).
The issue, and one that the Cathedral and staff are well aware of is how to handle a doubling, or trebling of the present annual, and daily volume. So, to that end, additional processing capability will be added.
While I was there for a month working as a Voluntario this past July and August, I discussed (pleaded) with the priest who was in charge of the overall pilgrim welcoming and documenting processes to find a way to separate everything else, from issuing the Compostela. Issuing the Compostela, not any other certificate, or selling any item, is the core mission of the Pilgrim Office.
My observation over two consecutive years was that the Pilgrim Office was starting to look more like the story of Christ upturning the money changers and vendor tables in the courtyard of the great temple in Jerusalem. There were an increased number of point-of-sale, retail diversions to "waste time" that might be devoted to issuing the Compostela. It upset me that the focal point of the entire process, issuing the 800+ year old Compostela document was relegated to simply another thing they do.
I understand the need to generate revenue, as the Cathedral DOES NOT allocate funds for the Pilgrim Office. It must find ways to be self-sustaining. So, they simply do what they must to afford the staff to accommodate the increasing volume of arriving pilgrims. The one given is that they will NEVER charge for issuing the original Compostela. However, everything else seems to be up for discussion.
My urgent request was to have one queue and process for expeditiously issuing Compostelas. A second physical area, and queue should be devoted to providing everything for which there is a fixed price.
So, you would enter the HUGE courtyard at the rear of the new property, with it's pleasant shade, tables and diversions, check your rucksack and bicycle with a sanctioned vendor INSIDE the walls, then make your way to the various places established to obtain your Compostela. After that primary documentation process, you could, for example, go to the onsite tienda to buy your certificate of distance, frames to hold your documents, tubos, bracelets, candles, etc.
For reference, I believe the new Pilgrim Office was formerly a convent. It is comprised of several acres / hectares, surrounded by a 2.5 meter high solid wall. There is one entry and one exit gate in the wall. I believe, based on what I observed last summer, and what I overheard, that security will be tighter and access more restricted to pilgrims only. This is partially in response to world conditions, and partially to address overcrowding.
The half-million annual pilgrim mark IS coming. The issue is how best the Cathedral can prepare for this eventuality.
I hope to be part of that solution, this year, and beyond.
I am in the midst of compiling my thoughts, but while I think of this one point as it relates to the changes, crowding, lines, etc. what I did notice at the Pilgrim Office was that none of the volunteers are asking the questions "Did you walk to the whole way?". Not that it matters to me because I did, but was just wondering why and who decides whether or not this question is to be asked?.
It goes without saying that the de Compostela was not the purpose of my journey. From the beginning, I was walking in gratitude (and to mark my 80th birthday). I only bring it up because there always seems to be so much discussion around it. I was merely asking who makes those decisions. Is it the Cathedral? It has nothing to do with me personally…I know where and who I am.As you compile your thoughts, ask yourself" would this trip be any less meaningful if I had skipped the Pilgrim Office altogether? Is that slip of paper very important compared to the trip itself?"
Our first time in Santiago we did not ask for a Compostelle. The trip was the significant event, the arrival at the Cathedral just in time for the bottefumero was the grand finish, and the credential with stamps a fine paper souvenir. On a later trip we went and got our papers, but I still can't understand the why people place so much importance on them.
Not trying to be critical, just baffled. If someone gets a certificate and they "cheated", it would be even less relevant, but still the crowds pack into lines, and there is frequent debate here on the the requirements.
I wonder if the church should say "the Compostelle is between you and God. We don't issue them any more." I wonder if that would weed out some of the less genuine pilgrims?
I can't imagine what a Holy Year would be like – wall to wall pilgrims, no peace and quiet...I will definitely be avoiding that
That's what Labacolla is for after all Now, if only someone could explain the spelling of that town's name ... Why a b and an ll?Not too much in the way of bathing facilities either, but as you know there are plenty of fountains along the way so cold water washing was common.
Does the Pilgrim office providing the Compostela offer an opportunity to provide donations to support their operation, materials, etc? If not, they should. I suspect that many pilgrims who don't care so much about souvenirs still might donate to compensate their expenses.
That's what Labacolla is for after all Now, if only someone could explain the spelling of that town's name ... Why a b and an ll?
Yeah Maggie, sorry , I shouldn't have quoted your post that way...it just was the one that got me wondering about all the clamor for a compostelle.
If the Camino and/or spirituality is now about putting up with modern lifestyle, let's all stay home and endure more rush hour traffic and leave the Camino alone for those looking for peace and quiet to be able to attempt introspection of any kind.I'm not sure what would happen to the Camino that would generate this topic question? It will just be a bit more uncomfortable, which will, hopefully, enhance the spiritual reasons for those doing it on such a spiritually important year. They can feel like they are a more "authentic" pilgrim, as we have seen expressed other times on this forum.
A bonus for them!!
I just want to add that I enjoyed my trip to Spain and my camino thanks to the people who lived along the Camino especially those who ran the Muixa Alburgue .....but this kind of talk from fellow pilgrims just ruins it and makes me feel very sad and disappointed
Yep, they're due to open the Holy Door in Santiago early December (the one in Rome gets opened on the 8th, other sites after that), and it will stay open until the 20th november if i'm not mistaken. Not sure if this will have the same pull as a Jacobean Holy year though.Apologies if already mentioned. I started reading the thread but I'll have to continue later.
Did you know that the Pope declared that 2016 is an extraordinary Holy Year (of mercy)?
Although it will mean that more will make a pilgrimage to the Vatican, I've seen reference to that fact that many other pilgrimage destinations will also attract more Pilgrims. Therefore, Santiago de Compostela was mentioned on a different link. But here's a bit of information.
http://www.gocatholictravel.com/holy-year-of-mercy-jubilee-pilgrimages-dec-2015-nov-2016/
It's not so much the crowds i would be concerned about, but the mcdonald's that tend to follow them.Ah, we are all different. We all have different experiences and expectations.
@Thornley I walked the Norte in May and June and happily joined the Frances at Arzua - in fact we loved the excitement of all those extra people. I walked it again in September/November and I would walk it again tomorrow.
I love the last 100km. The walking is beautiful (well, except for the very last day), the people are happy, the infrastructure is superb. Don't get me wrong, I love the peaceful Caminos as well, but to love those does not require me to dislike the opposite. I can like night AND day, I can like the country and the city.
If a pilgrimage is only about solitude then a lot of Muslims are doing it wrong.
Nope, not required, how can it be with 400 k compostelas a year, including foreigners, and oldies. Nope not on CVs. Are are they allowed to take time to walk. ? Not any more than any other school trip. As for employability, who cares ? Were you less employable befoyre you walked?.Is this walk your biggest accomplishhment? It's a school trip, nothing more.[/QUOTE]Is it a requirement for the Spanish kids to have one on their CV?
If not Yes to both of the above is it wise to have one when joining the work force?
Is the Bishop of SDC resisting the Compostela distance being increased to 200 or 300km on the camino Frances ?
I do not know one person who has completed the Frances in previous years that will now walk the last 100km after joining from a different camino , ex Primitivo, Norte....not one person.
They get the bus and walk to the coast...........which is itself becoming very popular indeed.
Perhaps there should be a question about helping others as you have walked as well as the other questions asked!.................... you may have walked 900 k along the Camino but how many k's have you walked to help some one in need....
I don't think this is correct - although it sounds good.
The thread is about the holy year and double the people on the Camino......what does that have to do with modern lifestyle? It would be difficult now, and it would have been difficult 1000 years ago.If the Camino and/or spirituality is now about putting up with modern lifestyle, let's all stay home and endure more rush hour traffic and leave the Camino alone for those looking for peace and quiet to be able to attempt introspection of any kind.
Exactly, and hopefully it stays that way. But large numbers means money, and money calls chains and franchises.
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