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Interesting. So as far at America goes, Canadians pilgrims outnumber them 2-to-1, relative to population size.
The UK has about 10x the population of Ireland but the numbers from both countries are fairly similar!Interesting. So as far at America goes, Canadians pilgrims outnumber them 2-to-1, relative to population size.
Also interesting.The UK has about 10x the population of Ireland but the numbers from both countries are fairly similar!
Yes, but I think if you look a little deeper, you'll find that Quebec produces more pilgrims than their share in the population. I think this was especially true in the past, as the Catholic tradition in that province made the Camino more well known.Interesting. So as far at America goes, Canadians pilgrims outnumber them 2-to-1, relative to population size.
Over the years, my experience is that almost half of Canadian pilgrims come from Québec (33% of the population of Canada). The Association Québécoise has over 3,500 paid-up members and I think is the largest Camino organization in the hemisphere.Yes, but I think if you look a little deeper, you'll find that Quebec produces more pilgrims than their share in the population. I think this was especially true in the past, as the Catholic tradition in that province made the Camino more well known.
while almost all of the Americans I met were in groups of 2-6.
These two statements seem to be a wee bit contradictory.they tell everyone to befriend the "Crazy Canadians" as we are the life of the party and make Camino more fun.
Nobody has ever accused me of that!they tell everyone to befriend the "Crazy Canadians" as we are the life of the party and make Camino more fun.
Canadians love Spain!Is it my imagination, or are there a disproportionate number of Canadians posting on this forum? Given our small population I'm surprised how frequently I read that a poster is from Canada. Perhaps it's just my imagination, or because I tend to notice Canadians more than others because I'm also one.
But if in fact there are a disproportionate number of Canadians posting here, does that equate to a disproportionate number of Canadians walking the camino? By "disproportionate" I mean the USA is 10x our size, so theoretically there would be 10x the number of Americans on the camino. I realize that there are a lot more factors than population size that determines the number of pilgrims, but you know what I mean.
Hi from a fellow Vancouverite. I’m currently on the Via de la Plata taking a siesta in Salamanca. Will finish on Tuesday and plan to walk the remainder in the future. I’m the only Canadian so far…at least in my small cohort of roughly 10 people walking the same stages. Most are French or Dutch, a pilgrim from Hong Kong, another from Korea, and the occasional Spanish or Italian cyclist. All is well..Is it my imagination, or are there a disproportionate number of Canadians posting on this forum? Given our small population I'm surprised how frequently I read that a poster is from Canada. Perhaps it's just my imagination, or because I tend to notice Canadians more than others because I'm also one.
But if in fact there are a disproportionate number of Canadians posting here, does that equate to a disproportionate number of Canadians walking the camino? By "disproportionate" I mean the USA is 10x our size, so theoretically there would be 10x the number of Americans on the camino. I realize that there are a lot more factors than population size that determines the number of pilgrims, but you know what I mean.
Exciting! My sister and I will start in Sarria on June 18 (also Vancouver!)Hi JustJack. Greetings from a fellow Vancoucerite! I’m currently on the Via de la Plata taking a day (or two?) off in Salamanca. I’m the only Canadian so far.. as least in the 10 or so pilgrims walking same stages as me. Mostly French and Dutch but someone from Hong Kong and another from x Korea…. A true y
Hi from a fellow Vancouverite. I’m currently on the Via de la Plata taking a siesta in Salamanca. Will finish on Tuesday and plan to walk the remainder in the future. I’m the only Canadian so far…at least in my small cohort of roughly 10 people walking the same stages. Most are French or Dutch, a pilgrim from Hong Kong, another from Korea, and the occasional Spanish or Italian cyclist. All is well..
Me either! I'm merely repeating what I have heard about other Canadians!Nobody has ever accused me of that!
Wasn't trying to an argument, just relaying my experience. I did not meet any Kiwi's when I walked.These two statements seem to be a wee bit contradictory.
Anyway (besides being silly), US versus Canadian stereotypes are a good way to start an argument.
Canadians walk the camino, and many of those are Quebecois. Ok. Makes sense. But if you want to talk about disproportionate numbers here I think Kiwis win hands down. But who's counting?
Very kind of you to say. Hopefully the Canadians you meet in the future continue to live up to that description.I met a huge number, yes you might say a disproportionate number of Canadians on the Camino Frances last fall. Nice people, humble pilgrims. I'm glad to share the hemisphere and the Camino with them. Buen Camino
Yes that's clearly the case. Which surprises me, because I frequently hear this site referenced in videos and blogs. It's often simply referred to as the "Camino Forum", and everyone seems to understand this is the one being referred to. Sometimes Ivar's name is also included, and everyone seems to know who Ivar is. Given how well known this forum is I'm surprised a larger percentage of pilgrims aren't on this site. Is there a bigger more popular camino forum? I assume there are lots of Facebook groups, but is this in fact the defacto official forum for the camino?Indeed.
I don't think there is any real correlation between the demographics of this site and of the wider population walking caminos. The forum represents but a tiny proportion of pilgrims walking in Spain.
US versus Canadian stereotypes are a good way to start an argument.
This forum has been running for a long time and is fairly well known amongst English-speaking pilgrims but it has no "official" status. Most pilgrims to Santiago are speakers of other languages and probably look elsewhere for their Camino information. I've sometimes read people referring to Brierley's guidebook as the "official" guide or talking about his "official stages" too. Equally misleading. Those of us who have found our way here might sometimes be prone to overestimating the importance and prominence of both this forum and the Brierley guides in the overall scheme of the Camino. Like fleas arguing about which one owns the dog they are standing on!I assume there are lots of Facebook groups, but is this in fact the defacto official forum for the camino?
It just seemed that way because we all had Canadian flags on our backpacks to distinguish us from our American neighbors.I remember way back in the late 80s backpacking there was always numerous Canadians compared to Americans, in terms of population ratio.
Not all of us did. I am always very interested in where people come from, in conversation, but I have no wish for my nationality to be identified from afar, or defined by what I am not.It just seemed that way because we all had Canadian flags on our backpacks to distinguish us from our American neighbors.
It just seemed that way because we all had Canadian flags on our backpacks to distinguish us from our American neighbors.
Not all of us did. I am always very interested in where people come from, in conversation, but I have no wish for my nationality to be identified from afar, or defined by what I am not.
On another forum a couple of months ago there was a discussion about flag patches on packs. I had decided against having a Canadian flag on my pack as flag-jacking is very much a thing and I did not want to be labelled as a non-Canadian lol. Some people were very surprised that people would sew a Canadian flag to their pack while not being Canadian and then there were quite a few people who said they had sewn the patches on so it would be assumed they were Canadian to avoid any perceived dislike for their home nation.It just seemed that way because we all had Canadian flags on our backpacks to distinguish us from our American neighbors.
I strongly suspect that this is largely a myth from the 60s and 70s, perhaps rooted in some small truth. But Canadians are too eager to keep the story alive, which seems a bit self-congratulatory, at best. This is why I, strongly but quietly Canadian, would never wear my flag when travelling.On another forum a couple of months ago there was a discussion about flag patches on packs. I had decided against having a Canadian flag on my pack as flag-jacking is very much a thing and I did not want to be labelled as a non-Canadian lol. Some people were very surprised that people would sew a Canadian flag to their pack while not being Canadian and then there were quite a few people who said they had sewn the patches on so it would be assumed they were Canadian to avoid any perceived dislike for their home nation.
These two statements seem to be a wee bit contradictory.
Anyway (besides being silly), US versus Canadian stereotypes are a good way to start an argument.
Canadians walk the camino, and many of those are Quebecois. Ok. Makes sense. But if you want to talk about disproportionate numbers here I think Kiwis win hands down. But who's counting?
It was a thing in the 90's and it has definitely been a thing since 2001. The people who said they used the flag for these purposes all did so within the last 5 years.I strongly suspect that this is largely a myth from the 60s and 70s, perhaps rooted in some small truth. But Canadians are too eager to keep the story alive, which seems a bit self-congratulatory, at best. This is why I, strongly but quietly Canadian, would never wear my flag when travelling. (However, if I were in some official or formal capacity, I would proudly wear it.)
It has been around since the 1970s and is continually propagated. I find it embarrassing, and wish it would go away.It was a thing in the 90's and it has definitely been a thing since 2001. The people who said they used the flag for these purposes all did so within the last 5 years.
PREACH!It has been around since the 1970s and is continually propagated. I find it embarrassing, and wish it would go away.
I was strongly advised to do so when I went backpacking in Europe in 1982, and I know I did. I suspect I may have left it behind when I returned in 1988.It was a thing in the 90's and it has definitely been a thing since 2001. The people who said they used the flag for these purposes all did so within the last 5 years.
Is that the one with five stars or four?Whilst I agree completely with VN walking, I have the Kiwi flag on my pack. And took pleasure when people noticed it. As with everything, we all walk our own Camino
Four, and they're red with a thin white outline. Westies (our Australian brethren) have 6, not 5 - there's an additional one under the Union Jack - and they're whiteIs that the one with five stars or four?
Yes.Is it my imagination, or are there a disproportionate number of Canadians posting on this forum? Given our small population I'm surprised how frequently I read that a poster is from Canada. Perhaps it's just my imagination, or because I tend to notice Canadians more than others because I'm also one.
But if in fact there are a disproportionate number of Canadians posting here, does that equate to a disproportionate number of Canadians walking the camino? By "disproportionate" I mean the USA is 10x our size, so theoretically there would be 10x the number of Americans on the camino. I realize that there are a lot more factors than population size that determines the number of pilgrims, but you know what I mean.
I recall back in the 80's there was this stubborn myth perpetuating the backpacker circles that Americans were disliked in Europe, so Canadians should all sew flags on their backpacks so as to not be mistaken for Americans. Then the myth was escalated with stories of Americans that would sew Canadian flags on their backpacks as well, presumably because they were embarrassed to be recognized as American.I strongly suspect that this is largely a myth from the 60s and 70s, perhaps rooted in some small truth. But Canadians are too eager to keep the story alive, which seems a bit self-congratulatory, at best. This is why I, strongly but quietly Canadian, would never wear my flag when travelling.
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