BShea
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- (9/2013) Le Puy
(5/2015) CF
(5/2016) Le Puy
(5/2017) CF
(9/2017) Le Puy
(9/2019) RL Stevenson
I've noticed a few differences since I walked in 2015. I'm not sure if things have changed in two years or if I'm just more aware this time. I hope this is of interest or helpful to someone...
1. There seems to be far less Americans. Probably around 30% Koreans, 30% Italians and the remaining 40% is everyone else. So far, I've met people from 16 countries and 10 States. Very few Spaniards seem to be walking - maybe the time of year?
2. There are more dirt roads than I remember. It seemed like last time, there were more paved surfaces. Maybe that comes later? We do walk a good portion of each day next to the highway which can be quite loud.
3. Many of the people on the Camino are locals that use the route for daily exercise - dog walking, running, cycling. (How lucky could it be to have the Camino at your back door?)
4. Probably the most important - Although there doesn't seem to be that many people walking, all the albergues seem to be booked by the time we arrive, which is usually around 14:00. Without fail, I am asked as I walk in if I have a reservation. I do not ever remember being asked that once in 2015. Two nights ago in Najera, the municipal sent 50 people to the overflow area in the stadium!
5. On a humorous note... I am traveling with my Mexican sister-in-law who doesn't speak English. Every time she speaks to someone, they always switch to English to accommodate her foreign language.
1. There seems to be far less Americans. Probably around 30% Koreans, 30% Italians and the remaining 40% is everyone else. So far, I've met people from 16 countries and 10 States. Very few Spaniards seem to be walking - maybe the time of year?
2. There are more dirt roads than I remember. It seemed like last time, there were more paved surfaces. Maybe that comes later? We do walk a good portion of each day next to the highway which can be quite loud.
3. Many of the people on the Camino are locals that use the route for daily exercise - dog walking, running, cycling. (How lucky could it be to have the Camino at your back door?)
4. Probably the most important - Although there doesn't seem to be that many people walking, all the albergues seem to be booked by the time we arrive, which is usually around 14:00. Without fail, I am asked as I walk in if I have a reservation. I do not ever remember being asked that once in 2015. Two nights ago in Najera, the municipal sent 50 people to the overflow area in the stadium!
5. On a humorous note... I am traveling with my Mexican sister-in-law who doesn't speak English. Every time she speaks to someone, they always switch to English to accommodate her foreign language.