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That explains a lot about Zubiri this weekendBesides the usual buble of late April / early May, there was today a trail running race in Zubiri: many runners chose to stay in Zubiri for two nigths
I was at Betania at 1300 and a woman waiting in line at the door said it was full. Apparently she didn’t know what she was talking about. Thats frustrating.Zubiri was full early yesterday (by 2:30, according to some pilgrims who came to Pamplona today), but Zubiri opened up a municipal building just past the town for some pilgrims to sleep on the floor! I haven’t seen that done before.
We all know these first few days are a choke point, but I am seeing panicking pilgrims who then conclude they need to book everywhere from now on, unfortunately.
The new albergue Betania had its first full night of the season last night. However, we didn’t fill until 5 pm.
A volunteer in SJPP reports over 1500 pilgrims registered in the last 5 days…
Grrrrrr.The hospitalero here told me "tour groups can reserve where individuals cant".
Same! I’m sorry but in my opinion this is a pilgrimage, not some holidays… today in Pamplona at the Albergue Jesús y Maria there was a reservation of a group of 40 people!! That’s almost half of the albergue!! It’s really frustrating…Grrrrrr.
No comment, except to say that I think something is wrong with this picture.
Sometimes they are groups of pilgrims (same church or amigos group). That's also why I took a student group of limited size in the winter. It does sound really frustrating.Same! I’m sorry but in my opinion this is a pilgrimage, not some holidays… today in Pamplona at the Albergue Jesús y Maria there was a reservation of a group of 40 people!! That’s almost half of the albergue!! It’s really frustrating…
Same! I’m sorry but in my opinion this is a pilgrimage, not some holidays… today in Pamplona at the Albergue Jesús y Maria there was a reservation of a group of 40 people!! That’s almost half of the albergue!! It’s really frustrating…
It should be noted though that the albergue Jesús y Maria in Pamplona is not an albergue that is exclusively for pilgrims; that they allow reservation during the period Octobre to April; that demand for beds in Pamplona is high on Fridays and Saturdays.Same! I’m sorry but in my opinion this is a pilgrimage, not some holidays… today in Pamplona at the Albergue Jesús y Maria there was a reservation of a group of 40 people!! That’s almost half of the albergue!! It’s really frustrating…
Not to mention local holidays.demand for beds in Pamplona is high on Fridays and Saturdays
Not surprising: it is Saturday night when many Spaniards come to the city, on top of the pilgrims.I was today at Betania! I was really surprised to see the sign stating that the albergue was full only at 13:20!! I’m currently staying at a hostel in the outskirts of Pamplona. Pamplona was 100% full today.
I think that's an absolute disaster waiting to happen to the Camino, if it becomes the norm...Grrrrrr.
No comment, except to say that I think something is wrong with this picture.
Yes, Betania was full with pilgrims in line; we had reduced capacity because the Diocese took some of our space for a cultural program. Usually we have 18.I was at Betania at 1300 and a woman waiting in line at the door said it was full. Apparently she didn’t know what she was talking about. Thats frustrating.
So now I am now renting a room with some random man from Australia I met on the street outside Jesus y Maria who said he also went to Betania and was turned away.
Zubiri was full early yesterday (by 2:30, according to some pilgrims who came to Pamplona today)
I initially agreed completely with you. And then I thought about it a little more.Grrrrrr.
No comment, except to say that I think something is wrong with this picture.
I initially agreed completely with you. And then I thought about it a little more.
We all talk about the fact that it is not up to us to judge who is a pilgrim and who is not, or how another Pilgrim should walk their Camino. @J Willhaus & @Kathar1na have both provided excellent reasons why booking groups is the case and that it is clearly a long-standing practice.
Last year I reported on a friend of mine leading in a 90 plus strong group of young Italian students, and many of us on here cheered them in. There was another group immediately ahead of them on the trail - the same situation.
On my Camino Inglés last year one tour group took practically the entire albergue in Betanzos. In this case all spaniards (complete families), I believe a church group. An incredibly important occasion for them (Semana Santa). Again, pre-booked.
The list goes on and on. Had they all not been able to book they could not have gone. Whilst it disturbs our individual plans we are exactly that - individuals. As individuals we can fit around groups, take up those odd beds that they leave vacant, use a hotel for one or two nights - but splitting one group amongst multiple accommodation options would be a logistical and practical nightmare. And hotel's for the entire Camino would make it substantially more expensive, making it out of the question for some.
Municipal Albergues are provided by the municipalities. Which means they have a responsibility to their fellow spaniards. (School groups, church group's etc).
And as for the situations when they are not municipal Albergues: the owners are running a business, they need to make a profit in order to still be there for us next year. So of course they will take a large group booking.
So in hindsight, no, I do not think there is anything wrong with this picture.
I slept on the floor on a dusty old mattress in a gymnasium in zubiri in September 2016. My least fave night on the Camino.Zubiri was full early yesterday (by 2:30, according to some pilgrims who came to Pamplona today), but Zubiri opened up a municipal building just past the town for some pilgrims to sleep on the floor! I haven’t seen that done before.
We all know these first few days are a choke point, but I am seeing panicking pilgrims who then conclude they need to book everywhere from now on, unfortunately.
The new albergue Betania had its first full night of the season last night. However, we didn’t fill until 5 pm.
A volunteer in SJPP reports over 1500 pilgrims registered in the last 5 days…
I slept on the floor on a dusty old mattress in a gymnasium in zubiri in September 2016
Definitely a few reasons come to mind why this is so. Whole tour groups are far less likely to be no shows, like may happen with individual pilgrims multi-booking or changing their minds. And, the other is that it is far more difficult for a multi-person tour group to turn up and find accommodation than it is for an individual.The hospitalero here told me "tour groups can reserve where individuals cant".
So you got the upgrade?
So now I am now renting a room with some random man from Australia I met on the street
@Peterexpatkiwi, having read your post and thought it through, I think you're right, and my initial thoughts of impending doom were perhaps misplaced.I initially agreed completely with you. And then I thought about it a little more.
We all talk about the fact that it is not up to us to judge who is a pilgrim and who is not, or how another Pilgrim should walk their Camino. @J Willhaus & @Kathar1na have both provided excellent reasons why booking groups is the case and that it is clearly a long-standing practice.
Last year I reported on a friend of mine leading in a 90 plus strong group of young Italian students, and many of us on here cheered them in. There was another group immediately ahead of them on the trail - the same situation.
On my Camino Inglés last year one tour group took practically the entire albergue in Betanzos. In this case all spaniards (complete families), I believe a church group. An incredibly important occasion for them (Semana Santa). Again, pre-booked.
The list goes on and on. Had they all not been able to book they could not have gone. Whilst it disturbs our individual plans we are exactly that - individuals. As individuals we can fit around groups, take up those odd beds that they leave vacant, use a hotel for one or two nights - but splitting one group amongst multiple accommodation options would be a logistical and practical nightmare. And hotel's for the entire Camino would make it substantially more expensive, making it out of the question for some.
Municipal Albergues are provided by the municipalities. Which means they have a responsibility to their fellow spaniards. (School groups, church group's etc).
And as for the situations when they are not municipal Albergues: the owners are running a business, they need to make a profit in order to still be there for us next year. So of course they will take a large group booking.
So in hindsight, no, I do not think there is anything wrong with this picture.
Before you buy one, check the giveaway box or find out if mats are available where a space is offered.From those on the trail now, is it worth adding a light, short sleeping pad? If the towns open up school gyms or churches, are mats available?
I backpack at home so have one, just don’t take it on Caminos. Maybe that should change!Before you buy one, check the giveaway box or find out if mats are available where a space is offered.
Edit: Many things like that are abandoned by pilgrims by Estella.
what is wrong is Money is the motivator.Grrrrrr.
No comment, except to say that I think something is wrong with this picture.
Yes, that is certainly a valid concern - however I think it is unlikely to become reality. Whilst the number of groups has supposedly increased significantly over the years, larger groups have walked the Camino for many years now. There are a significant number of threads on the forum of 'Times gone by', when pilgrim accommodation was very limited, and certainly not as sophisticated or comfortable as we now enjoy. As demand grew so did the infrastructure.I'm not saying who is or isn't a pilgrim - simply that if holiday tour groups start to proliferate, it could fundamentally change (end?) the ability of individual pilgrims to walk their Camino without having to pre-book all of their accommodation in advance.
There will always be a bit of a lag time between supply and demand. For most of the year the balance seems pretty good. A few fairly predictable busy periods like the May 1st holidays create rather more heat than light most years but that usually fades away quite quickly. As posts above have suggested local councils and other bodies will generally find some indoor space for the overspill on the exceptionally busy days. The odd night on a mattress on the floor of a sports hall is not the end of the world. I always carry a lightweight bivvy bag to give myself the option of a night under the stars if conditions permit. I don't think I've ever been forced to do so by pressure of numbers.And a great many of us will never use those groups. Hence, so long as demand remains I suspect the infrastructure will be there to support us.
Far from it. People are now expecting better digs, but this kind of thing was once more common - and received with gratitude.The odd night on a mattress on the floor of a sports hall is not the end of the world.
On my first Camino a few pilgrim refugios offered only mats on the floor or occasionally just a bare floor where you could lay out your own mat and sleeping bag. In O Cebreiro pilgrims slept on straw on the beaten earth floor of one of the stone pallozas. By candlelight. Another century. I am now feeling extremely old...Far from it. People are now expecting better digs, but this kind of thing was once more common - and received with gratitude.
Well, this is something different than the occasional completo town. I find an increase of 21% in the first (almost) 4 months quite staggering.Numbers arriving in Santiago are unusually large at the moment too. 2,127 Compostelas issued yesterday. 2,614 Compostelas issued today. An early date for Easter this year may have brought the peak pilgrimage season forward a little. At the moment the running Compostela total for the year is 21% up on the same period last year.
Perhaps somebody can check this: On the statistics page of the Oficina del Peregrino, when I select the Camino Francés and deselect Sarria, there is a decrease (-5%) for the almost 4 months of 2024 compared to 2023.Well, this is something different than the occasional completo town. I find an increase of 21% in the first (almost) 4 months quite staggering.
Unfortunately the numbers hide much more interesting information.Well, this is something different than the occasional completo town. I find an increase of 21% in the first (almost) 4 months quite staggering.
Odd. When I do the same the result is an increase of 15% for that 4 month period. Which is roughly in line with the specific figures for those recorded as starting from SJPDP and Roncesvalles.Perhaps somebody can check this: On the statistics page of the Oficina del Peregrino, when I select the Camino Francés and deselect Sarria, there is a decrease (-5%) for the almost 4 months of 2024 compared to 2023.
This is for Compostelas in 2024 until 28 April.
I think that (a) and (b) account for much of the remarkable rise in numbers walking the Portugues variants from Porto. A longer and more substantial experience than walking the bare minimum distance required for a Compostela but also achievable within the vacation time available to many.And this makes sense because at the top end of the CF there are likely to be a very small increase in those that can a) take the amount of time off and, b) want to walk 500 miles. Whereas the shorter routes. . .
I did it again and it is still a negative. There is likely to be a small plus once the 29th and the 30th are included.Odd. When I do the same the result is an increase of 15% for that 4 month period.
Some problem with the software at my end I think. Still shows as a 15% increase in the headline bar on my screen when I select only the Frances and exclude Sarria. But looking at the table of "Peregrinos por Procedencia" then the total for 2023 is 8,997 and for 2024 is 8,658. So that is in line with the decrease that you mention if you discount Sarria. Although numbers recorded as starting from SJPDP, Roncesvalles and Pamplona are all up slightly this year.I did it again and it is still a negative. There is likely to be a small plus once the 29th and the 30th are included.
Comparisons of numbers from SJPP with numbers from SdC ought to be interpreted also with caution: Those who register in SJPP may be not congruent with those who get a Compostela in SdC, and there are also pilgrims who start in a specific year in SJPP but arrive in SdC in a different year (not only in a different month!). Those who are counted in SJPP are not identical with those who start in SJPP. There are numerous variables to be considered to obtain meaningful conclusions.
I think we agree: These data are useful tools for broad comparisons and general trends. And they may help to dampen the excitement about current daily figures from one source or otherthose factors would be probably be similar for all years and so a broad comparison of overall numbers for the same period last year and this year is still reasonable.
I reserve the right to be thoroughly gobsmacked by the current numbers!And they may help to dampen the excitement about current daily figures from one source or other.
You were saying?More than were handed out in the entire year of my first Camino.
I am now feeling extremely old...
I sometimes wish that we could give several 'reaction' icons to a post. I hesitated betweenI reserve the right to be thoroughly gobsmacked by the current numbers!Over 5,000 Compostelas issued in the last two days. More than were handed out in the entire year of my first Camino. In April!
I now blame @Bradypus for the obvious explosion in numbers on the CF which appears to have coincided on a gradual upward trajectory since his first Camino. The stats are compelling.I reserve the right to be thoroughly gobsmacked by the current numbers!Over 5,000 Compostelas issued in the last two days. More than were handed out in the entire year of my first Camino. In April!
My own guess is that there will be some increase in numbers - that has happened pretty consistently every year since 1984 if you disregard the large spikes in numbers during Holy Years. Early signs suggest that across all the Caminos numbers will be up although what happens on the Frances before Sarria is anyone's guess. People are increasingly looking at other routes these days. Like you I think the final Compostela total will end up over 450,000 but short of half a million.I am going to be interested to see how the rest of the year pans out. 446,035 pilgrims registered last year, extremely likely it will exceed 450,000 pilgrims this year. Will it top 500,000 or just end up somewhere in between? I suspect the latter, but don’t have anything to support that.
The behaviour patterns of large populations (pilgrims and others) intrigues meI am going to be interested to see how the rest of the year pans out. 446,035 pilgrims registered last year, extremely likely it will exceed 450,000 pilgrims this year. Will it top 500,000 or just end up somewhere in between? I suspect the latter, but don’t have anything to support that.
0.2 of a Compostela? 20km. Starting somewhere around O Pedrouzo perhaps. I wonder which lucky pilgrim will get to claim that one....A 12% growth rate in 2024, compared to 2023, will bring the total to 499,559.2 - so this is my prediction. ()
But who is going to be the 0.2 perigrino? Perhaps someone 2 months pregnant?The behaviour patterns of large populations (pilgrims and others) intrigues me.
As to the more recent growth rates for Compostela numbers from one year to the next where such a comparison makes sense (i.e. 2011 to 2019), they were: 5%, 12%, 10%, 10%, 6%, 8%, 9%, 6%.
A 12% growth rate in 2024, compared to 2023, will bring the total to 499,559.2 - so this is my prediction. ()
From a purely practical standpoint another factor is that walking a Camino now is physically far easier than it used to be. Vastly improved infrastructure of albergues, hostals, bars and so on. So stages now can be shorter and there is less to carry. Plus the advent of cheap luggage transport for those who want it. All of which makes the Caminos a more readily promoted option. The age profile of those walking Caminos has changed a great deal over the years - on average we are much older these days. Peak season used to be July and August because the largest section of the pilgrim population were students of typical school and university age. Still true for the shorter Caminos where large groups of younger people tend to walk in the summer months and other vacation periods.I guess of course the increase is not just down to popularity. Other factors could be overall population increases, more people able to take career breaks/sabaticals, more wealth in the retired populations and those populations remaining healthier for longer, and maybe the general trend of more people seeking meaning/purpose/other existential aspects in their lives.
Yes. "Slow travel" has become more and more popular and appeals to increasingly wider segments of the general population. The link below is for the American market but it applies to people in other countries, too. In Germany for example, "hiking" has continued to gain popularity for many many years. In their context, it is not associated with strenuous tough outdoors but with pleasantly slow and not too strenuous but continuous physical exercise in the natural environment, without having to carry food and tent or bivvy bag because food, drink and accommodation is available and plentiful, and it all is beneficial for one's body and one's mind. And soul.I guess of course the increase is not just down to popularity. Other factors could be overall population increases, more people able to take career breaks/sabaticals, more wealth in the retired populations and those populations remaining healthier for longer, and maybe the general trend of more people seeking meaning/purpose/other existential aspects in their lives.
The mellow numbers some of us were reporting a little while ago now make sense - we were walking in the trough.I just had a look at the excellent Solviturambulando website and was struck by this graph which I think supports the idea that the earlier date of Easter has moved the normal spring build-up in numbers slightly earlier.
Very true.From a purely practical standpoint another factor is that walking a Camino now is physically far easier than it used to be.
I LOLd when I read this. Touché. These days I'm afraid I'm more like the upstairs crowd, but hope if I had to sleep under a church porch I'd have the grace not to complain. But TBH I don't know if I would. More likely I'd be grousing about the tour group that took 'my' bunk.Pilgrims sleeping on floors, in doorways, outside??? OMG!!!
We have upgraded and monetized and marketed the camino right back to the Old Days, when lords and ladies slept secure in their pre-booked beds, and pilgrims slept on floors, in doorways, and outside.
Exactly.people estimate and extrapolate in all directions, for the whole Camino Francés, for the whole year, for the whole next four to five weeks etc. while there is no reasonable base for doing so.
OK, since we're going to ignore @Kathar1na and extrapolate away, I'll go with 5.749% which gives a total increase of 25,647.0125 pilgrims year over last for a total of 471,682.0125.A 12% growth rate in 2024, compared to 2023, will bring the total to 499,559.2 - so this is my prediction. ()
Me too. AndI sometimes wish that we could give several 'reaction' icons to a post. I hesitated between, , , and .
The Padron peppers are all set up for you.The mellow numbers some of us were reporting a little while ago now make sense - we were walking in the trough.
I see a second thing besides the earlier peak this year, and it's that the trough is higher than last year's but also broader - it lasted a bit longer.
Very true.
I LOLd when I read this. Touché. These days I'm afraid I'm more like the upstairs crowd, but hope if I had to sleep under a church porch I'd have the grace not to complain. But TBH I don't know if I would. More likely I'd be grousing about the tour group that took 'my' bunk.
Exactly.
OK, since we're going to ignore @Kathar1na and extrapolate away, I'll go with 5.749% which gives a total increase of 25,647.0125 pilgrims year over last for a total of 471,682.0125.(If I win the ridiculous sweepstakes, can I please have a lifetime supply of pimentos de Padron?)
Me too. And
And I had not thought of it until I saw it mentioned in a Le Puy en Velais thread: Wednesday the 8th of May is a public holiday in France (Victory Day 1945) ... that must be an attractive combination for Camino walkers from France this year.I noticed just now that Ascension Day will be on the 9th of May this year.
This is a bad policy to let tour groups book. The policy has traditionally been to give beds to those on foot who walked a long way first. We are the ones that keep the Camino alive.It's tight!
I'm now past Terridillos de Los Temparillos. Got turned away at both Albergues there that were "completo" at 2pm, that told me yesterday they took no reservations. Then the girl behind me checked in tour group of twelve. Every town has been full in the small places (at any price range) and then watching the big Albergues go completo by 4 or 5pm. First day I've had to keep going to get a bed. The hospitalero here told me "tour groups can reserve where individuals cant".
I totally disagree. This kind of policy is what ruined the music/concerts in the US. Booking companies buy up all of the tickets and pump the prices and only release the ones they can't sell. This will force everyone to prebook through the booking companies at 2x the price or they can't go.I initially agreed completely with you. And then I thought about it a little more.
We all talk about the fact that it is not up to us to judge who is a pilgrim and who is not, or how another Pilgrim should walk their Camino. @J Willhaus & @Kathar1na have both provided excellent reasons why booking groups is the case and that it is clearly a long-standing practice.
Last year I reported on a friend of mine leading in a 90 plus strong group of young Italian students, and many of us on here cheered them in. There was another group immediately ahead of them on the trail - the same situation.
On my Camino Inglés last year one tour group took practically the entire albergue in Betanzos. In this case all spaniards (complete families), I believe a church group. An incredibly important occasion for them (Semana Santa). Again, pre-booked.
The list goes on and on. Had they all not been able to book they could not have gone. Whilst it disturbs our individual plans we are exactly that - individuals. As individuals we can fit around groups, take up those odd beds that they leave vacant, use a hotel for one or two nights - but splitting one group amongst multiple accommodation options would be a logistical and practical nightmare. And hotel's for the entire Camino would make it substantially more expensive, making it out of the question for some.
Municipal Albergues are provided by the municipalities. Which means they have a responsibility to their fellow spaniards. (School groups, church group's etc).
And as for the situations when they are not municipal Albergues: the owners are running a business, they need to make a profit in order to still be there for us next year. So of course they will take a large group booking.
So in hindsight, no, I do not think there is anything wrong with this picture.
Well said, Kiwi. Remember our DOC huts and having to sleep outside in our tents, sharing with innumerable sandflies! Now, that' roughing it!I initially agreed completely with you. And then I thought about it a little more.
We all talk about the fact that it is not up to us to judge who is a pilgrim and who is not, or how another Pilgrim should walk their Camino. @J Willhaus & @Kathar1na have both provided excellent reasons why booking groups is the case and that it is clearly a long-standing practice.
Last year I reported on a friend of mine leading in a 90 plus strong group of young Italian students, and many of us on here cheered them in. There was another group immediately ahead of them on the trail - the same situation.
On my Camino Inglés last year one tour group took practically the entire albergue in Betanzos. In this case all spaniards (complete families), I believe a church group. An incredibly important occasion for them (Semana Santa). Again, pre-booked.
The list goes on and on. Had they all not been able to book they could not have gone. Whilst it disturbs our individual plans we are exactly that - individuals. As individuals we can fit around groups, take up those odd beds that they leave vacant, use a hotel for one or two nights - but splitting one group amongst multiple accommodation options would be a logistical and practical nightmare. And hotel's for the entire Camino would make it substantially more expensive, making it out of the question for some.
Municipal Albergues are provided by the municipalities. Which means they have a responsibility to their fellow spaniards. (School groups, church group's etc).
And as for the situations when they are not municipal Albergues: the owners are running a business, they need to make a profit in order to still be there for us next year. So of course they will take a large group booking.
So in hindsight, no, I do not think there is anything wrong with this picture.
Yeah. And in the West Coast rain.sharing with innumerable sandflies!
There may be something to this. We all need to remember that a night on the gym floor - or even under a church porch - isn't that much of a discomfort in the bigger scheme of things. Lots of people have to live like that all the time.my totally unproven scientific theory is that post-covid, a lot of people in general are not good with letting go of control. Heck I was a bit nervous on my first camino, but not like what I'm seeing now. It's just my personal observation on how camino conversations have shifted over the years.
As a person who books those nefarious ‘tour groups’ each year, let me assure you that we are NOT the ones taking up albergue beds!This is a bad policy to let tour groups book. The policy has traditionally been to give beds to those on foot who walked a long way first. We are the ones that keep the Camino alive.
We're in Boadilla del Camino right now. Turned away at Hornillos Minicipal at 1230h 2 days ago, along with at least 30 others behind us, and taxied back to Rabé as Hontanos was also full. Several big groups on the Camino right now and we seem to be walking "with" them. A bit worried about Carrión de los Condes for tomorrow night.It's tight!
I'm now past Terridillos de Los Temparillos. Got turned away at both Albergues there that were "completo" at 2pm, that told me yesterday they took no reservations. Then the girl behind me checked in tour group of twelve. Every town has been full in the small places (at any price range) and then watching the big Albergues go completo by 4 or 5pm. First day I've had to keep going to get a bed. The hospitalero here told me "tour groups can reserve where individuals cant".
Maybe it would be worth the extra weight that in addition to bringing a sleeping bag, to also bring a bivuac and foam mat, so that if there is no accommodation one could sleep under the stars.Zubiri was full early yesterday (by 2:30, according to some pilgrims who came to Pamplona today), but Zubiri opened up a municipal building just past the town for some pilgrims to sleep on the floor! I haven’t seen that done before.
We all know these first few days are a choke point, but I am seeing panicking pilgrims who then conclude they need to book everywhere from now on, unfortunately.
The new albergue Betania had its first full night of the season last night. However, we didn’t fill until 5 pm.
A volunteer in SJPP reports over 1500 pilgrims registered in the last 5 days…
Yep. I now always bring my tent. Not because I'm worried about accommodation, but it certainly means more choice of where to sleep at night, especially when walking longer days / well into the evening. The campsites also have good, hot showers. And I can leave beds to those who do not have the option of sleeping outside.Maybe it would be worth the extra weight that in addition to bringing a sleeping bag, to also bring a bivuac and foam mat, so that if there is no accommodation one could sleep under the stars.
Pretty much obligatory on my first Camino as a few of the refugios only offered bare floor space on which you could lay out your own mat and sleeping bag. In many places there were no private rooms and refugios were the only option. And later a mat was useful for sleeping on the floor of albergues when all the beds were taken. At one time that was a fairly common practice but that is no longer an option because local authorities now enforce strict limits on numbers for safety reasons.It used to be normal to bring a sleeping mat from what I read, but nowadays pilgrims are usually discouraged from bringing one, as it is considered "not necessary and too much weight".
Well, I've certainly kept mine, which I brought to every Camino since 2017, even when I didn't camp...Sleeping mats are now one of the most discarded items from pilgrims' backpacks.
At least, that raises a question about the business around the Camino, in my opinion....So in hindsight, no, I do not think there is anything wrong with this picture.
In the Old Days, lords and ladies slept secure at home, in their own beds, while paid pilgrims were walking for them.right back to the Old Days, when lords and ladies slept secure in their pre-booked beds, and pilgrims slept on floors, in doorways, and outside.
I began by saying you provoked me, but that is incorrect.I've just played my indicator game again.
For the current week 5-12 May (Sunday to Sunday) it still looks very busy on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday for Roncesvalles, less busy on Wednesday, and very busy again on Thursday - that's the 9th of May and Ascension Day and a public holiday in numerous countries so it is ideal for a long weekend and for starting a longer period of being off work. The coming weekend (Fri-Sun 10-12) looks a little bit less busy than the weekend that is now ending (3-5).
This is only meant as a fuzzy snapshot and not divination but the worst may already be over and we can turn our attention and energy again to toilet paper, the booming backpack transport business and cheap holidays.
Yes. And people who are on their first Camino, who come from far away and who have never done anything like this before are surprised and even disappointed when they find that, upon their arrival in Roncesvalles or Zubiri or even Pamplona on a weekend, beds are not plenty and not waiting for them - contrary to what they had been told or read. It is a normal reaction.Sleeping mats are now one of the most discarded items from pilgrims' backpacks.
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