Interesting statistics on who from where did what

[Voyager58]

http://www.caminodesantiago.me/2012-pilgrim-statistics/

More men than women....interesting....and not surprising that 50% were local....vacationers....

 

[Deleted member 3000]

http://www.caminodesantiago.me/2012-pilgrim-statistics/
not surprising that 50% were local....vacationers....

I don't think you can assume that the Spanish are vacationers. They are much more likely to be walking for religious reasons than foreigners.

 

[Tincatinker]

Perhaps Voyager58 intended "local... vacationers" to indicate those native Spaniards devoting their limited vacation time to pilgrimage. If not I'm sure that on reflection that is how they would wish their post to be read. Those of us who walk for reasons spiritual, complex and/ or inexplicable are obviously not vacationers: but some may perceive us so to be.

 

[Voyager58]

Hey, I'm just commenting on the statistical facts, combined with the hundreds of comments on this forum that point out how busloads of "local vacationers" are dropped off at one point 100 kms from the finish and picked up a few days later...so I would appreciate it if you fine people would stop telling me what it is I should be saying . I'm not saying anything that hasn't been discussed by hundreds of others on different threads already.
I merely provided a statistical link that more or less backs up the frustrations of those who after walking for weeks, can't get accommodation on the last few days because of the tourists.
Yeah, I know, everyone has the right to do what they want...I only provided a link with statistical data.

Folks, please, too many of these threads start out with the best intentions, only to go down a rathole because the opinions expressed by the OP differ than those of a casual reader/moderator.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

About 21% started in Sarria, so I can guess that the rest are not vacationers, but true pilgrims?

 

[annakappa]

http://www.caminodesantiago.me/2012-pilgrim-statistics/

More men than women....interesting....and not surprising that 50% were local....vacationers....

I think that this is an very unfortunate assumption.
My husband accompanied a group of handicapped people. They 'only' walked the last 100 km for VERY good and understandable reasons. I can assure you that they were not vacationers.
Thank goodness at least 50% were local. They are after all in their own country. Santiago is their Patron Saint.
In October, I spent 2 weeks helping out in the Pilgrims Office. You should speak and listen to the incredible stories that some Pilgrims tell you. Spanish and foreigners! It's an eye opener. Anne

 

[annakappa]

I should also mention that there are loads of tour companies offering the Camino de Santiago. They jump all along the Camino, walking only the choosiest parts along the Way. The usually have booked private accommodation. Buses are continually picking them up and dropping them off at their chosen night stop. Because it is necessary to walk the stretch Sarria to Santiago to obtain a Compostella, naturally there are hundreds more Pilgrims on this part of the Camino. Frankly it's not a great experience to have to compete with the crowds and all that entails, once leaving Sarria, after having had walked it ' your' way until then. Anne

 

[stevenjarvis]

We are all pilgrims. Most, on vacation....

 

[whariwharangi]

Hey, I'm just commenting on the statistical facts, combined with the hundreds of comments on this forum that point out how busloads of "local vacationers" are dropped off at one point 100 kms from the finish and picked up a few days later...so I would appreciate it if you fine people would stop telling me what it is I should be saying . I'm not saying anything that hasn't been discussed by hundreds of others on different threads already.
I merely provided a statistical link that more or less backs up the frustrations of those who after walking for weeks, can't get accommodation on the last few days because of the tourists.
Yeah, I know, everyone has the right to do what they want...I only provided a link with statistical data.

Folks, please, too many of these threads start out with the best intentions, only to go down a rathole because the opinions expressed by the OP differ than those of a casual reader/moderator.

I get it that it can be frustrating that you might have difficulty finding a bed. That said, I'm sure there is nothing that says you are entitled to special privilege because you walked for more days than someone else.

Perhaps you might find some statistical facts on how much of the camino exists because the busloads of "local vacationers" contributed to its existence. That would be through tax subsidies, charitable donation and donations of time and labour. I'm pretty sure most of the services to the camino don't operate with a significant profit margin.

I met a fellow who had walked from Rome. He said it straight; we both were doing the same thing ... walking 20 -30 km in a day ... the only difference is that he had walked for more days ... and so what.

Who was it that said there are lies, damn lies, and statistics?

 

[Tincatinker]

Voyager58' apologies for any offence given, I didn't mean to poke you. Perhaps I should have dropped one of those smiley things in somewhere to emphasise my feeble attempt at banter.

Sometimes I wish there was a POP (personal opinion posted) smiley to cover up that moderator tag.

I'm off to work now, trying to earn some money for my next vacation

 

[Deleted member 12253]

The reason I don't walk past sarria, head for primitivo, bliss

 

[freescot]

For 60 years of my life walking 2km was an achievement.

 

[AJ]

... That said, I'm sure there is nothing that says you are entitled to special privilege because you walked for more days than someone else.
I met a fellow who had walked from Rome. He said it straight; we both were doing the same thing ... walking 20 -30 km in a day ... the only difference is that he had walked for more days ... and so what.

Exactly!!

 

[Tia Valeria]

I know some-one who is thinking about walking the Camino, but time restraints etc mean that she would only be able to walk the 'last 100kms'. If she walks it will be pilgrimage, not vacation, and to judge it as otherwise would not be being fair. Not knowing circumstances of those starting from Sarria, Lugo or Ferrol etc means it is not possible to comment.
Surely also the statistics (OP) are for those who go to the Pilgrims' Office for a certificate, which many 'tourists' would not do, so the 'statistics' read in this way do not IMHO give the full picture, nor are they intending to.

 

[freescot]

I've always thought that a life is a life, no matter how short it is. A camino is a camino.