Meeting up in Santiago

[peregrina2000]

This is a somewhat unformed idea, but I wonder if there's a way for all of us peregrinos, on many different Caminos, to meet up in Santiago. I know there's a calendar for departure dates, but what about arrival dates?

When I walked the Vdlp, I met a couple who made a point of telling everyone that we should meet up at 7 pm in the Plaza Mayor, no matter what town we were in. It was a brilliant suggestion -- on many occasions, in many places, I went to the Plaza Mayor (or its equivalent) at 7 pm and met other pilgrims who were also walking the Vdlp. Some of them I already knew, some of them I didn't. But they had all heard the same suggestion from Ian and Jenny.

So, what I'm wondering is whether we could find some place in Santiago where Forum members (and anyone else who's feeling sociable) could go at 7 pm (or some other time) and meet others who might have arrived in Santiago on the same day. I know that arrival dates are much looser than departure dates, so if we had a specific place where people would go, we could go there whenever we arrived, or whenever we were in Santiago . Esppecially for people like me, who walk alone and tend to gravitate towards the solitary caminos, it would be fun to meet up with others upon arrival in Santiago.

So, what do you guys think?

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[wawpdx]

Laurie,
I think this is a brilliant idea!

Nancy

 

[mspath]

Laurie,

I agree this is a wonderful idea! Like you I tend to walk alone and would greatly enjoy meeting other Forum members in Santiago. Where might this be? Indoors or outside? Perhaps Johnnie Walker has some ideas.

Margaret

 

[camino07]

I agree,Laurie an excellent idea. On previous caminos we would arrange to meet in front of the cathedral at 6.30 in any city. After the VdlP I may be needing company!
look forward to hearing others views.
Heather

 

[ivar]

I like the idea!

...and would like to stop by some days as well (can't promise every day . Let me think about a good place to meet, but I like the Obradoiro... maybe under the columns of town hall (just in from of the cathedral) in case it rains?

http://g.co/maps/6uzq6


Saludos,
Ivar

 

[Jeff Stys]

Great idea, Laurie. I like the shelter from the rain at City Hall. If that's the consensus location, I will be there at 7pm sometime May 12-14th (God willing!).

Jeff

 

[miguel_gp]

Yep, it is a great idea. Look forward to reading further detail.

I'll carry a rucksack so you can pick me out from the crowd!
Mig

 

[anniethenurse]

I will be there May 1 -May 5. Even other times and going to the pilgrim mass at 12noon every day.

 

[Tia Valeria]

A great idea. I see that one post said 6.30 outside Cathedrals along the Way, and also there is a suggestion of 7pm under the arches on Obradeiro.
Sounds like good timing for us as we tend to eat early (very early by Spanish standards). So we'll give it a try 6.45/7.00 time when we are in Santiago. Much easier than trying to find folk after Pilgrims' Mass, although we'll be there too.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola - this is a really good idea. I suspect much of the success might depend on the location of the meeting place. I can understand the suggestion of "under the arches" opposite the Cathedral as it does provide shelter. But on the downside this is a huge area. I might work if people tended to congregate at one spot.

A couple or three other suggestions for consideration could be:

The terrace of the Pilgrims' Office at 7pm every evening

The Corticela - the Pilgrims Chapel in the Cathedral after the Pilgrims' Mass or at 7 in the evening

The bar Suso - a traditional meeting place in any event at 7pm in the evening

Plaza Cervantes - around the fountain (with arches opposite if it is raining!) near to Casa Manolo

Interested in views - the Corticela a might work because it is a designated space with only a few tourists passing through less chance of accosting a stranger with "have you just arrived today?" to discover they might have done only by coach, car or aeroplane!

The advantage of a central bar like Susos or the bar at the top of the steps in the Plaxza Quintana for example is that folks could have a drink whilst waiting for others.

The advantage of the Pilgrims' Office is that we could put up a sign letting people know that (English speaking?) pilgrims who arrived during the day and want to meet others can come back at 7pm to the terazza.

Discuss

John

 

[anniethenurse]

When I was walking the camino Frances in April and spent a week in Santiago last May I kept in touch with other pilgrims by sending text messages or e-mail. Our meeting place was the Plaza Obradoiro before or after the Mass or anytime. All pigrims I met were carrying a cell phone!

I don´t know if there is need for special spots - the old City is not very large and you will encounter other pilgrims all the time just being in the city. Those who you want to meet you will meet!

Suso is fine, the Terraza is fine, Plaza Cervantes is fine, the Corticela is fine...

annie

 

[fraluchi]

Hola - this is a really good idea. I suspect much of the success might depend on the location of the meeting place. The advantage of the Pilgrims' Office is that we could put up a sign letting people know that (English speaking?) pilgrims who arrived during the day and want to meet others can come back at 7pm to the terazza.

Yes, that's probably the most effective approach. Since pilgrims will visit the office, one way or one time, they could know where to meet. As long as the notice is clearly visible, in Spanish (we are in Spain) and in English (most pilgrims understand English).

 

[mspath]

Hola - this is a really good idea. I suspect much of the success might depend on the location of the meeting place. The advantage of the Pilgrims' Office is that we could put up a sign letting people know that (English speaking?) pilgrims who arrived during the day and want to meet others can come back at 7pm to the terazza.

Yes, that's probably the most effective approach. Since pilgrims will visit the office, one way or one time, they could know where to meet. As long as the notice is clearly visible, in Spanish (we are in Spain) and in English (most pilgrims understand English).

I agree. Besides printed notices within the Pilgrims' Office in Spanish and English the bi-lingual volunteers of the new Welcome project mentioned earlier in Johnnie Walker's blog might tell each arriving pilgrim of this additional meet and greet opportunity. Hope these social possibilities are active next December when I plan to arrive once again!

Margaret

 

[CaroleH]

This idea of a generally accepted regular meeting place in Santiago is a brilliant idea, brilliant. Deciding where is the difficulty, especially as it need to become a tradition, known and acceptable. Ivar and John will have the best ideas for this.

For me, I don't want to hang around in the square or under the arches, and some people may not get there right on time. I think the meeting place needs to be a cafe or bar, where we can sit, have a drink, wait for friends, then either stay or move on. The best is a welcoming cafe or bar with reasonable prices... just my thinking.

At the end of a few of our caminos, we spread the word that we'd be meeting at the Casino Bar/Restaurant on Rua do Villar, and we ended up with wonderful celebratory groups every time. Because the prices are on the high side at Casino we'd order a drink, maybe sit outside, easy to spot, then after an hour or so, when everyone had gathered, move on to a restaurant or whatever. This worked for us, it was central, just down from the pilgrim office, easy to find. Any other venue that is happy to become such a meeting place, where the prices are reasonable so pilgrims could maybe stay on there, and that's near the cathedral etc., would get my vote.

It's an excellent idea to have a known meeting place. It's so important to most of us to be able to celebrate with others at the finish of a camino. I still remember how disappointed I felt at the finish of our first camino (VdlP), the pilgrims we'd met along the way had departed already, others we had no way of contacting, we were overcome by the impersonal touristy atmosphere of SdC and needed pilgrim company, preferably some we'd met along the way. I vowed that would not happen again..

Excellent idea Laurie. I agree Johnnie, some place where pilgrims can sit, and relax, order a drink or meal, wait and meet friends. .... a general hang out. Could become a real tradition, and be really worthwhile for an establishment prepared to embrace this idea.

 

[Tia Valeria]

I like the idea of the Pilgrims' Office as we can all find it, let the Welcomers know we are around and are not tied to one cafe/bar. A notice in Spanish and English - yes please.

 

[Josefine]

I like this idea and will arrive in Santiago during the first week of July. Hope to meet some of you.
Josefine

 

[cote.lesta]

How exciting!!!: I do love John's idea to ask at the pilgrims office or meet at one of the local bars, John: As you are in Santiago all the time I presume that the reason you suggested bar Suso is because the prices would be reasonable and has a welcoming feel. I would like to start the ball rolling and say yes to the bar, I will be there very soon!!! 8)

 

[Lydia Gillen]

This is a great idea.

To meet somewhere we can sit is even better.

I love the idea of the bar at Suso's as I always stay there, but the brothers close the bar at lunchtime on Saturday and do not open again until Monday morning! I really admire them for this, but it would therefore not make the ideal meeting venue.

Lydia

 

[fraluchi]

The best is a welcoming cafe or bar with reasonable prices... just my thinking.

A confined meeting place may be too small for a well-informed and potentially large pilgrims crowd!
The notice at the Pilgrim's office should indicate an easy spot to find, where pilgrims can meet and make individual plans from that moment onwards.

 

[anniethenurse]

A confined meeting place may be too small for a well-informed and potentially large pilgrims crowd!
The notice at the Pilgrim's office should indicate an easy spot to find, where pilgrims can meet and make individual plans from that moment onwards.

Exactly what I was thinking. I was one of 800 pilgs to reach SDC in the end of April 2011. During the summer months some 2300 pilgs arrive daily!

The meeting place should be an open area where pilgrims can find each other and then make indiviadual plans like suggested by Fraluchi. Like Obradoiro or any other plaza.

I don´t have anything against this idea - and I am sure many pilgs would enjoy it. A Great Idea!!! The problem is that I can´t imagine 800 pilgs in the Suso or the Casino bar!!!

Not all the pilgs want to use their cell phones or internet when on the camino so generally I think this is a very good idea. The Pilgrim´s Office could perhaps set up a bulletin board for the use of pilgrims (maybe there is one).

regards
annie

Ps. our meeting place was the Obradoiro or the small square between Rúa do Franco and Rúa Raina (next street of the Pilgrim´s Office on Rúa do Vilar).

 

[ivar]

Ok, so what about the terrace of the Pilgrims' Office, at 7pm every afternoon. Then the group decides from there where they would like to go...

Would that be ok John?

Saludos,
Ivar

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Sure...how do we want this advertised? Do we put up a poster in English saying "Meet other piglrims who arrived today at 7pm here" or in various languages?

I suppose I'm asking if this is primarily aimed at English speakers?

 

[nellpilgrim]

Sure...how do we want this advertised? Do we put up a poster in English saying "Meet other piglrims who arrived today at 7pm here" or in various languages?

I suppose I'm asking if this is primarily aimed at English speakers?

Maybe a white board with a pen attached so that once the group has met and decided where they are heading that could be noted on the board so any late comers could join them? The fact that each evenings destination is going to be picked by the pilgrims themselves should prevent any bar/cafe owners feel badly done by.

 

[Priscillian]

This is a super idea and I am surprised none of us thought of it before. One thing which struck me from Jack Hitt's book, even before I walked my first Camino, is how he says that three days after arriving in Santiago he didn't know a single soul. The experience can become lonely after the initial high has passed.
The other thing I like about this is that it gives those of us who live in Galicia a chance to meet new pilgrims too.
Well done. So be it...
Ivar, will you be making this sticky???
http://www.pilgrimagetoheresy.blogspot. ... house.html

 

[narimaidl]

I like this idea and will arrive in Santiago during the first week of July. Hope to meet some of you.
Josefine

Josefine - if all goes as planned we will arrive in Santiago on July 2nd - hope to meet you there (if not before) nari and mike

 

[Tia Valeria]

I presume that this is primarily, but not exclusively, for Forum members of any nationality (and language) to meet up. We use English on the Forum so that and Spanish would be OK. Numbers would not be many on any one day so some way of meeting/communicating at the Pilgrim's Office terrace would work well.
If there are larger numbers/groups maybe a notice board there to arrange to meet in a wider location, like Obradeiro, would be needed.
Also maybe this thread could be used to comment on when we hope to be in Santiago to help arrange meeting up.
Watching to see how this develops before we leave for our Camino. Otherwise we'll ask the new Welcomers when we arrive.

 

[hieudovan]

I like the idea of the Pilgrims' Office as we can all find it, let the Welcomers know we are around and are not tied to one cafe/bar. A notice in Spanish and English - yes please.

I am leaving for Madrid March 28. I do not carry a phone or laptop. I'll just check with the Pilgrims' Office when I get there. I will also check this website along the way when internet is available. Looking forward to seeing some of you sometime between May 7 and 15. I will be one of the many who have the Forum Patch : )

Buen Camino!

Hieu

 

[annakappa]

Wherever this meeting place may chosen, (I think it's a great idea Laurie), if the sign/message boasts the Camino Forum badge, then it should be instantly recognisable. I personally would go for: either towards the back of the Plaza Obradoiro, so that if it's raining you can move back a few steps and stay dry, or the terrace of the Pilgrim's Office. Definately choose a fixed time, same every day. Remember, that we meet up with Pilgrim's from all over the world - not just ones on the Forum and I think that for courtesy to our host country, the wording should be in both Spanish and English. Last year, while walking along the Camino, two people recognised me from the Forum. I never met up with any of them once in Santiago. Anne

 

[CaroleH]

Yay.... this is great! Terrace of Pilgrim Office..... 7 pm every night.... sounds good to me. For pilgrims from the VdlP and other less busy routes, it could mean a huge difference in their immediate post camino feelings and attitudes to Santiago.

Well done...

 

[peregrina2000]

Fast work, looks like we're all set. Hope people will let us know how this goes.

Johnnie Walker, are you going to put up something in the Pilgrim's office? Maybe with a little note that this is "sponsored by Ivar's forum but all are welcome", to especially encourage people on the forum to come (?). I love meeting strangers, but I would especially love to meet some of the people I've had so many email chats with!

I look forward to seeing some of you on July 3 or 4 in the terrace of the Pilgrim's Office at 7 pm.

Buen camino to all, Laurie

 

[CaroleH]

Hope to see you there Laurie... we'll be around. Maybe we can link up for the Five Camino Way?

 

[fraluchi]

Do we put up a poster in English saying "Meet other pilgrims who arrived today at 7pm here" or in various languages?

Sure. Both in Spanish and English.
Which person at the pilgrims' office might volunteer to maintain this notice?
Adjust the notice if for one reason or the other the "usual" location is taken over by local activities?
Check once in a while that the notice is still where it should be and remains in "legible" condition?
>
It will be useful for Forum members to know that the location of the "Meeting up in Santiago" notice will be at the pilgrims' office.
We, and other arriving pilgrims, will be looking out for the "spot of the day" so to speak ....... and maybe hurdle from there to the nearest tapa bar (or wherever) to exchange experiences and make plans.
Now, who mentioned the best tapa bar in Santiago?

 

[Torrent1964]

I love the idea. I also think being able to meet others if you want to may be an enriching part of the pilgrimage, especially at the end. Using the office and a notice board is good too. Although I am not travelling until next April, I look forward to this. I will however, have my iPhone as my little one won't tolerate me being away without bednight stories and a chat about her day... so I'm told.

Torrent

 

[peregrina2000]

An idea just occurred to me, and I wonder what others think. Actually, it's an idea I've stolen from the Madrid Camino association, which meets every Wednesday from 7-9, all welcome.

I wonder if we could identify a place in central Santiago that has a restaurant "comedor" (dining room) separate and apart from their bar area. That space is always closed while the kitchen is closed, hence it will always be closed between 5-8:30 or 9:00. If the owner were so inclined, he/she could allow a group of peregrinos to use the comedor as a place to gather and chat while we have a drink, cafe, beer, etc. That would make it more of a private gathering, more intimate maybe, and we wouldn't have to worry about crowded bars or cafes. I think it's also a good idea to have a posting in the Pilgrim's Office, but there's something about having a regular designated space where forum members can gather that's appealing to me. I would imagine there will be some spot in the vicinity of the Pilgrim's Office that would like the extra business. What do you think?

And, if you're in Madrid on a Wednesday, looking for Camino Company, head to:

CERVECERIA REST. SALTON III, Calle Corredera Alta de San Pablo, 8. Metro Tribunal. (comedor is n the back, at the end of the bar).

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[annakappa]

Hello Laurie. I don't want to offend, because I think your idea of a meeting point is brilliant (why didn't anyone think of this before)?
However... I really don't think you will find a bar/restaurant owner willing to open up his restaurant space (even if he won't be serving food at the time of the proposed meeting) for a number of reasons:
The restaurant staff won't be working, because they will come back on shift when the restaurant actually open for business.
What if it's raining? Horror of horrors - the resataurant will be full of wet and maybe dripping boots, crocs, flip flops, etc. They (the restaurant staff) will then have to mop up again before opening for the general public!
Presuming that some of the Pilgrims have no intention of eating there, why would the bar/restaurant owner lets us all sit around in his dining space for a couple of hours before he actually opens for service? Chairs will be grouped around a table or two, etc. In other words, his whole restaurant area will have to be nicely put in order before the official opening hour!
Sorry to put a damp cloth on this idea! Anne

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Anne,
No offense at all, you raise some good points. I only suggested it because it's the solution that the Madrid friends have found for their regular get togethers, and it seems like such a comfortable alternative. Santiago may not have quite as many bars per capita as Madrid, but it's got to be close. Maybe it's worth a bit of scouting, which I'm happy to do in July when I arrive. I guess this is still a work in progress! Buen camino, Laurie

 

[mspath]

Santiago may not have quite as many bars per capita as Madrid, but it's got to be close. Maybe it's worth a bit of scouting, which I'm happy to do in July when I arrive. I guess this is still a work in progress! Laurie

Laurie,

One central place that you might scout when you arrive is the Hospederia San Martin Pinario http://www.sanmartinpinario.eu. This has recently been renovated into a very pleasant hotel plus pilgrim albergue. I stayed in their pilgrim albergue last December and had a comfortable single heated room (converted monastic cell) with private facilities for 23 euros including a buffet breakfast.

Accommodations aside it also has many large public lounges with bars and coffee facilities where pilgrims might meet whatever the season or weather. The location on the Plaza de la Inmaculada is certainly handy.!

Good luck with your great idea!

Margaret

 

[peregrina2000]

Ok, so after our little burst of energy and enthusiasm, this is still a great, but unexecuted, idea. I will be in Santiago in late June and will be happy to try to find a meeting place then, but I wonder whether we've reached a consensus on how to do it. Anne is right that it will probably be a challenge to find a bar/restaurant that admits us into its comedor during its off hours, but do people think that is the best way to go? I'm stubborn enough to think that since they figured out how to do it that way in Madrid, we can do it in Santiago.

For me, it seems to make the most sense, because I think that having a set place that never changes will remove a lot of the hassle of having to figure out where to go every night.

Suggestions welcome! Buen camino, Laurie

 

[CaroleH]

I agree Laurie.... could also help with the research in June/July.

Meanwhile, the previous idea of meeting at the Pilgrims Office (with a notice there) could be started for pilgs arriving in the next couple of months. When a more permanent bar/restaurant/? venue is found, the notice could then direct people to it.

Just a thought...
Carole

 

[Sansthing]

I like Ivar´s suggestion of 7pm on the terrace of the Pilgrim´s Office. Everybody knows where it is and it would be easy to place a noticeboard there. Once pilgrims have met up then they can decide where to go for a chat, drink or dinner. A designated bar or restaurant may not be so easy to find, or to everyone´s taste. Entering an establishment on your own to join a large convivial group may be a bit intimidating for some.
Sandra :arrow:

 

[ivar]

I will get in touch with John and try to set this up. Will come back with more once it is up and running.

Buen Camino!
Ivar

 

[La Barre]

This is a super idea and I am surprised none of us thought of it before. One thing which struck me from Jack Hitt's book, even before I walked my first Camino, is how he says that three days after arriving in Santiago he didn't know a single soul. The experience can become lonely after the initial high has passed.
The other thing I like about this is that it gives those of us who live in Galicia a chance to meet new pilgrims too.
Well done. So be it...
Ivar, will you be making this sticky???
http://www.pilgrimagetoheresy.blogspot. ... house.html

This is a wonderful idea! I took so long to reach Santiago (54 days,absolutely no rush ) that I only ran into one other person that I had met on the way and only because her walking companion wound up in the hospital with a medical emergency. As a consequence I felt very lonely and lost in Santiago, also though I don't post much, I feel like I know all the veteran posters and would love to meet someone from the forum.

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

Looking forward to meeting some of you guys at this point, around May 29th when I should be arriving in SdC from Salamanca.
Buen camino!
Stephen
http://www.calig.co.uk/camino_de_santiago.htm

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

Looking forward to meeting some of you guys at this point, around May 29th when I should be arriving in SdC from Salamanca.
Buen camino!
Stephen
http://www.calig.co.uk/camino_de_santiago.htm

P.S. I hope you're all wearing your "Pilgrim Forum Badge" [see bottom of page] so we get to know each other even BEFORE SdC!
Stephen.
http://www.calig.co.uk/camino_de_santiago.htm

 

[Josefine]

This sounds great, it seems I will meet a least some of you this year. As said before, I will arrive in the beginning of July, I have the forum badge, I hope you all have too so we might find each other during the walk as well.
Josefine

 

[Priscillian]

OK (and thanks to admin Miguel for the redirection...)
I am still not sure

IF...
When...?
Where...?

this is to be, but I shall be at the terrace at the Pilgrim's Office at 7:00 on Tuesday 24th June (Big Night...have to be at the Cathedral by 8:00 or forget a space!) and the same time on the Wednesday (25th) if anyone would like to meet up. Maybe dinner at Casa Manolo on Wednesday?
Would love to meet other Forum members in Compostela.

Ivar??? Johnny Walker??? Will you be around???
T

 

[anniethenurse]

OK (and thanks to admin Miguel for the redirection...)
I am still not sure

IF...
When...?
Where...?

this is to be, but I shall be at the terrace at the Pilgrim's Office at 7:00 on Tuesday 24th June (Big Night...have to be at the Cathedral by 8:00 or forget a space!) and the same time on the Wednesday (25th) if anyone would like to meet up. Maybe dinner at Casa Manolo on Wednesday?
Would love to meet other Forum members in Compostela.

Ivar??? Johnny Walker??? Will you be around???
T

must be 24th of July???

 

[Priscillian]

Must be the 24th of July
Yep...and you and Falcon just earned yourselves a free beer at The Little Fox for being eagle eyed!
Just joking...beer is free anyway!
I said this morning to someone that things had been so busy 'round here lately that I didn't know which month it was!
So....who is in town?
T

 

[natefaith]

I'm entering this conversation very late, but wanted to let everyone know that we'd love to offer space for pilgrims to meet up regularly, for free. Our first Meet-Up for English-speaking pilgrims will be this Thursday, and reading through this entire thread has been very helpful and will inform how we plan for Meet-Ups in the future.

Since we're in that all-important planning stage, I have a follow-up question for everyone: it's now been two years since this thread was first created, and several of you have been to Santiago many more times now. Are there some things you still really would love to see in a regular Santiago Meet-Up? Anything new you'd like to add, too, that perhaps wasn't mentioned above? We'd love to hear your ideas and see what we can do to further the notion of pilgrims connecting and gathering in Santiago.

Faith

 

[peregrina2000]

I'm entering this conversation very late, but wanted to let everyone know that we'd love to offer space for pilgrims to meet up regularly, for free. Our first Meet-Up for English-speaking pilgrims will be this Thursday, and reading through this entire thread has been very helpful and will inform how we plan for Meet-Ups in the future.

Since we're in that all-important planning stage, I have a follow-up question for everyone: it's now been two years since this thread was first created, and several of you have been to Santiago many more times now. Are there some things you still really would love to see in a regular Santiago Meet-Up? Anything new you'd like to add, too, that perhaps wasn't mentioned above? We'd love to hear your ideas and see what we can do to further the notion of pilgrims connecting and gathering in Santiago.

Faith

Hi, Faith,
Since I'm the one who started the thread and then let the whole thing drop, I wanted to thank you for your post. When I walk non-traditional caminos, I frequently enter Santiago with one or two other people, nothing like the big communal "family" entrances I experienced on the Frances and Norte, for example. So it can be a little on the lonely side, and having a place to meet up with others would be a nice opportunity. I have arrived in Santiago a couple of times now overlapping with other people I "know" from the forum who have walked a different camino, and having a regular meet up place would help make in-person meetings happen more easily.

My own opinion is that especially for pilgrims on those more lonely caminos, having a set time every day (or however many days the place is open) where English speaking people (and I don't mean to be exclusive here) and their friends, etc, can drop in to just chat and think out loud would be a really nice thing.

I have seen how this works for Dutch/Flemish people in the pilgrims' office. I'm sure you've been there. Upstairs there is a nice open space with cookies and coffee, tea, etc, always staffed by two Dutch volunteers. People working downstairs in the office and the Amigos try to be on the lookout to tell the Dutch and Belgian pilgrims about the upstairs "living room" (though most of them already know about it). It's a nice welcoming place, and the volunteers are able to help out with lots of little details for the return, help finding accommodation, and just giving people a chance to talk with someone who understands the camino, etc.

Although some of us thought it was kind of an exclusive thing at the outset, I came around to thinking that it was very nice, making sense because the Dutch Camino association is the largest in the world by far. And the hosts upstairs were open and welcoming to people of any nationality. This is NOT what you are offering, I know, but I use the example to say that I don't think that having an English language meeting place has to turn into a snobby exclusive place at all.

I think the only way to "test drive" your idea would be to have a sustained period where you just publicize -- every day at some fixed time, English speaking GTG at your place. Arrivals in Santiago are frequently "off schedule," so having to shoot for a Wed. or a Thurs. would be complicated. Just my rambling thoughts, sorry to have gone on for too long! Buen camino, Laurie

 

[natefaith]

Hi, Faith,
Since I'm the one who started the thread and then let the whole thing drop, I wanted to thank you for your post. When I walk non-traditional caminos, I frequently enter Santiago with one or two other people, nothing like the big communal "family" entrances I experienced on the Frances and Norte, for example. So it can be a little on the lonely side, and having a place to meet up with others would be a nice opportunity. I have arrived in Santiago a couple of times now overlapping with other people I "know" from the forum who have walked a different camino, and having a regular meet up place would help make in-person meetings happen more easily.

My own opinion is that especially for pilgrims on those more lonely caminos, having a set time every day (or however many days the place is open) where English speaking people (and I don't mean to be exclusive here) and their friends, etc, can drop in to just chat and think out loud would be a really nice thing.

I have seen how this works for Dutch/Flemish people in the pilgrims' office. I'm sure you've been there. Upstairs there is a nice open space with cookies and coffee, tea, etc, always staffed by two Dutch volunteers. People working downstairs in the office and the Amigos try to be on the lookout to tell the Dutch and Belgian pilgrims about the upstairs "living room" (though most of them already know about it). It's a nice welcoming place, and the volunteers are able to help out with lots of little details for the return, help finding accommodation, and just giving people a chance to talk with someone who understands the camino, etc.

Although some of us thought it was kind of an exclusive thing at the outset, I came around to thinking that it was very nice, making sense because the Dutch Camino association is the largest in the world by far. And the hosts upstairs were open and welcoming to people of any nationality. This is NOT what you are offering, I know, but I use the example to say that I don't think that having an English language meeting place has to turn into a snobby exclusive place at all.

I think the only way to "test drive" your idea would be to have a sustained period where you just publicize -- every day at some fixed time, English speaking GTG at your place. Arrivals in Santiago are frequently "off schedule," so having to shoot for a Wed. or a Thurs. would be complicated. Just my rambling thoughts, sorry to have gone on for too long! Buen camino, Laurie

Thank you so much for your reply, Laurie! You're definitely not rambling! Your thoughts are very helpful, especially your insights as a pilgrim coming in from one of the lonelier Caminos: I can imagine that after a long while of relative quiet and solitude, some community in Santiago would be nice if that's what you were craving. To meet up with people with whom you could share your Camino stories, connect with, and just have some fun with, too, before heading back home - I think that's so important.

And yes, the Dutch are so kind! With their welcome service, as well as with the Germans' daily meetings in San Martin Pinario, I feel like the culture in Santiago is becoming one with more and more resources to help care for and attend to pilgrims. It's a great thing.

We're open all day for pilgrims of all nationalities (I wanted to make that clear in case it wasn't before), but it's always nice to have a set time so people can find each other. We're starting with English meet-ups since there's momentum behind the idea, and we'd like to have other meet-ups for pilgrims of other languages as well. There's just something nice about having time and space to talk and hang out in your heart language, and we agree with you that having, for example, an English-speaking meet-up shouldn't be exclusive or snobby. We're excited to see how our first meet-up goes this Thursday, and we'll also see how often we can hold them going forward - but it's good to know the ideal would be a daily fixed time for English speakers, not just weekly.

Thanks again. If you think of anything else at any point, let us know.
Take care, and hope you're enjoying good old Illinois weather - we lived there before we moved here. I really liked Chicago, but I can't say I miss the weather
Faith

 

[JohnnieWalker]

I think the idea of the "meet up" is really good. And congratulations to the Pilgrims' House on their opening - it is commendable to see this group of committed Christians who are part of the organisation International Teams bringing Jesus to pilgrims in Santiago.

Nate wrote to me following my original post about this asking me to delete a couple of words which he felt were inadequate in describing their mission. Sorry about that. Best to use their own words:

"We are establishing Pilgrim House Welcome Center and hostel where pilgrims can come in, tell us their stories, have their practical needs met, and hear about Jesus' love, goodness, and forgiveness.

Through the Pilgrim House ministry, we want to provide pilgrims with time and space to debrief their journey, gather together, and connect with God. The opportunity is great to serve them in practical ways as well as invite them to consider placing their trust in Jesus."

 

[vgen5122]

I think it is a wonderful idea. The Dutch meet, why not us forum pilgrims as a whole. It would cap our journey and help with our transitioning. It would be a place to share our hardships, experiences, ideas and plans for our next Camino
and say good-by to our newly formed Camino friends. Buen Camino.

 

[peregrina2000]

Thanks to everyone who responded. We are going ahead with setting up La Tertulia Cafe as our official meeting point. Every day, 7 pm. More information will follow soon, Ivar is helping set things up. Hoping to be there on June 4 and/or 15! Buen camino, Laurie