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Hi, Jamie,Hi, I just finished day 3 of our Camino de Santiago, starting in St. Jean. Arriving in Rancesvalles around 4:30, a couple hundred pilgrims were already there. Many of is got into overflow in rooms across the bridge, but all dinner and breakfast tickets were gone, restaurant was out of food, so we ate vending machine food (for which we were quite thankful). Next day we arrived in Zubiri, and again, everything was full! We had tried to reserve something early with no luck. The Municipal Albergues took pity on us and opened up extra space, so my friend and I got a room. But by 6 they were full and sent pilgrims away. We were able to make reservations in Pamplona for the following night, thankfully, because we ran into a few young pilgrims along the way who were panicking because there was nothing. We are now very worried that this will be a major issue the rest of our Camino. I thought this time of year was supposed to be no problem? Is this a sign of even more increases in pilgrims? Thanks! Jamie.
We heard that 700 pilgrims left St Jean the 3/4th Sep which we were told was unprecedented. We've also experienced the same large numbers but had a few half days stopping at 1pm because of the heat and a rest day too. This way a big wave of people flattens out into smaller ripples. Hopefully we're now in a ripple.....Hi, I just finished day 3 of our Camino de Santiago, starting in St. Jean. Arriving in Rancesvalles around 4:30, a couple hundred pilgrims were already there. Many of is got into overflow in rooms across the bridge, but all dinner and breakfast tickets were gone, restaurant was out of food, so we ate vending machine food (for which we were quite thankful). Next day we arrived in Zubiri, and again, everything was full! We had tried to reserve something early with no luck. The Municipal Albergues took pity on us and opened up extra space, so my friend and I got a room. But by 6 they were full and sent pilgrims away. We were able to make reservations in Pamplona for the following night, thankfully, because we ran into a few young pilgrims along the way who were panicking because there was nothing. We are now very worried that this will be a major issue the rest of our Camino. I thought this time of year was supposed to be no problem? Is this a sign of even more increases in pilgrims? Thanks! Jamie.
WOW, I can't even imagine that number of pilgrims the same day on one stage... Crazy.We heard that 700 pilgrims left St Jean the 3/4th Sep which we were told was unprecedented.
Hi, I just finished day 3 of our Camino de Santiago, starting in St. Jean. Arriving in Rancesvalles around 4:30, a couple hundred pilgrims were already there. Many of is got into overflow in rooms across the bridge, but all dinner and breakfast tickets were gone, restaurant was out of food, so we ate vending machine food (for which we were quite thankful). Next day we arrived in Zubiri, and again, everything was full! We had tried to reserve something early with no luck. The Municipal Albergues took pity on us and opened up extra space, so my friend and I got a room. But by 6 they were full and sent pilgrims away. We were able to make reservations in Pamplona for the following night, thankfully, because we ran into a few young pilgrims along the way who were panicking because there was nothing. We are now very worried that this will be a major issue the rest of our Camino. I thought this time of year was supposed to be no problem? Is this a sign of even more increases in pilgrims? Thanks! Jamie.
Curtis walk in between stages...Thank you for sharing Jaime,
Very informative for us near future pilgrims. I leave Canada tomorrow night
It is a holy year, it is becoming more well known and the best way to avoid this is stay in the smaller towns. Most people follow the Brierly stages, so if you stay I between, it should be easier
I hope so. Will be travelling on theRelax. This is a similar pattern to last year in September 2015: the first two weeks / weekends in September are peak times for Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and the effects are felt along the stretch from Roncesvalles to Pamplona but much less so later on, in particular if you follow the advice already given in this thread (if still necessary).
Thank you for sharing Jaime,
Very informative for us near future pilgrims. I leave Canada tomorrow night
I am starting my Camino on the 22nd. I'm debating if I should bring a camping mattress, in case I need it, but I hope it will slow down by then. I really don't want to be carrying extra weight if it's not necessary.We heard that 700 pilgrims left St Jean the 3/4th Sep which we were told was unprecedented. We've also experienced the same large numbers but had a few half days stopping at 1pm because of the heat and a rest day too. This way a big wave of people flattens out into smaller ripples. Hopefully we're now in a ripple.....
I'm debating if I should bring a camping mattress, in case I need it
Honestly, that 700 pilgrims leaving SJPdP in one day sounds like total falsehood. Just a pilgrim rumor mill.We heard that 700 pilgrims left St Jean the 3/4th Sep which we were told was unprecedented. We've also experienced the same large numbers but had a few half days stopping at 1pm because of the heat and a rest day too. This way a big wave of people flattens out into smaller ripples. Hopefully we're now in a ripple.....
Don't sweat it. By late September the pilgrim numbers will have gone down I am sure. My best advice is to ignore some of the gossipy threads on here totally unsupported by facts.I hope so. Will be travelling on the
I am starting my Camino on the 22nd. I'm debating if I should bring a camping mattress, in case I need it, but I hope it will slow down by then. I really don't want to be carrying extra weight if it's not be necessary.
Peg and I were in that big crowd at Roncevalles for one night of the mentioned first two weeks of May. The night before we stayed at the albergue in Valcarlos. There were only four of us there and one self-exiled himself to sleep outdoors (but later the kitchen) because he was such a heavy snorer.I did some math from Gronze site and both routes to Roncesvalles as the stopping point could (officially) accommodate 272 people not counting overflow possibilities...:
- Valcarlos: 24,
Really? Wasn't aware of that... I thought it was quite the contrary@KinkyOne: Don't forget that, in August and relatively speaking, many more people start from Roncesvalles than from SJPdP. Pilgrims on the Camino Frances are a nomadic population with a high fluctuation and mobility rate.
Really? Wasn't aware of that... I thought it was quite the contrary
Well at least I got that impression on this forum...
EDIT: I mean above for the starting points not about the mobility etc
OK, might be so that they mostly start in Roncesvalles but if so they still make numbers on "Day 2" etc. even more packed with pilgrims. Doesn't really change the issue. Of course we are dealing here with crowds (according to OP) approximately from SJPdP to Pamplona.Not many Spaniards start in SJPDP, and Spaniards are the highest percentage of pilgrims. (Please someone correct me if I am wrong!) Jill
they mostly start in Roncesvalles but still their number makes "Day 2" etc. even more packed with pilgrims.
Curtis, good luck and keep us posted.Thank you for sharing Jaime,
Very informative for us near future pilgrims. I leave Canada tomorrow night
It is a holy year, it is becoming more well known and the best way to avoid this is stay in the smaller towns. Most people follow the Brierly stages, so if you stay I between, it should be easier
Doug so your recommendation would be not to book ahead.. I am planning to walk in May next year and hoping to stay in alternatives to hostels. Originally I thought I might book accommodation for the entire trip but reading here I am not so sure..For the OP, my wife and I faced a similar situation when we left SJPP in early May and found all the accommodation in Zubiri full. We found a place a few km away that night, and we always found somewhere to stay for the rest of our Camino. It was not always in albergues, and sometimes relatively expensive compared to the cost of staying in basic albergues.
I tend to agree with @Mark Lee about the numbers, but caution that, as in May, there will be any number of people who are not currently walking that will somehow know better than those who are about the current conditions. Take it all in your stride, but equally be prepared to look for options other than albergues if you find places full.
I HEARD THIS SAME STORY AND WAS WORRIED SICK. i HAD STARTED IN lOURDES AND WAS WORRY FREE. wITH ALL THE STORIES i HEARD WAS THINKING OF DOING AN ALTERNET ROUTE. bUT ALAS IT WAS ALL HEAPED UP i HAD NO PROBLEMS YES THE ALBERGUES WERE FULL BUT NEVER SAW ANYWAY TURNED AWAY.Hi, I just finished day 3 of our Camino de Santiago, starting in St. Jean. Arriving in Rancesvalles around 4:30, a couple hundred pilgrims were already there. Many of is got into overflow in rooms across the bridge, but all dinner and breakfast tickets were gone, restaurant was out of food, so we ate vending machine food (for which we were quite thankful). Next day we arrived in Zubiri, and again, everything was full! We had tried to reserve something early with no luck. The Municipal Albergues took pity on us and opened up extra space, so my friend and I got a room. But by 6 they were full and sent pilgrims away. We were able to make reservations in Pamplona for the following night, thankfully, because we ran into a few young pilgrims along the way who were panicking because there was nothing. We are now very worried that this will be a major issue the rest of our Camino. I thought this time of year was supposed to be no problem? Is this a sign of even more increases in pilgrims? Thanks! Jamie.
Hi Nathanael, did you need to shout? Or was that a mistake?I HEARD THIS SAME STORY AND WAS WORRIED SICK. i HAD STARTED IN lOURDES AND WAS WORRY FREE. wITH ALL THE STORIES i HEARD WAS THINKING OF DOING AN ALTERNET ROUTE. bUT ALAS IT WAS ALL HEAPED UP i HAD NO PROBLEMS YES THE ALBERGUES WERE FULL BUT NEVER SAW ANYWAY TURNED AWAY.
The choice to book ahead is a personal one. I certainly wouldn't book more than the next day or so before Sarria. Before Sarria you might book up to Pamplona if you want to be sure of getting a bed. After that it might be useful if you are plan to arrive later in the afternoon.Doug so your recommendation would be not to book ahead.. I am planning to walk in May next year and hoping to stay in alternatives to hostels. Originally I thought I might book accommodation for the entire trip but reading here I am not so sure..
I was in Zubiri yesterday around 4 pm and everything was full. There were so many people looking. The tourist office was closed and the person at the municipal albergue was doing his best to belp. We ended up getting a taxi to the next town....too exhausted to walk. I was told Roncevalles is processing 400 pilgrims a day. I am staying an extra day in Pamploma to see if that helps.Hi, I just finished day 3 of our Camino de Santiago, starting in St. Jean. Arriving in Rancesvalles around 4:30, a couple hundred pilgrims were already there. Many of is got into overflow in rooms across the bridge, but all dinner and breakfast tickets were gone, restaurant was out of food, so we ate vending machine food (for which we were quite thankful). Next day we arrived in Zubiri, and again, everything was full! We had tried to reserve something early with no luck. The Municipal Albergues took pity on us and opened up extra space, so my friend and I got a room. But by 6 they were full and sent pilgrims away. We were able to make reservations in Pamplona for the following night, thankfully, because we ran into a few young pilgrims along the way who were panicking because there was nothing. We are now very worried that this will be a major issue the rest of our Camino. I thought this time of year was supposed to be no problem? Is this a sign of even more increases in pilgrims? Thanks! Jamie.
Yes. John Brierley wrote some popular guide books to the various caminos. He has suggestions for daily walks, starting and end points, called stages and these are about 25 km. Ivar, the administrator of this forum, sells various guides online at the Camino Forum Shop https://www.santiagodecompostela.me/What are the Brierly stages? I guess a travel guide?
Exactly. The Camino is a fluid thing. Not static. No way to predict anything on it. Whether it be the weather or the pilgrim numbers. Sure, obviously there are busier times than others on it, but even then it's impossible to predict day to day whether all albergues will be full. To say it is busy now and I can't find room at an albergue is only needlessly stressing out someone about to start the Camino tomorrow, next week or even next year. I guess I've spent over 120 days/nights on the CF from June-September. I always found room at the inn and never once booked ahead.I HEARD THIS SAME STORY AND WAS WORRIED SICK. i HAD STARTED IN lOURDES AND WAS WORRY FREE. wITH ALL THE STORIES i HEARD WAS THINKING OF DOING AN ALTERNET ROUTE. bUT ALAS IT WAS ALL HEAPED UP i HAD NO PROBLEMS YES THE ALBERGUES WERE FULL BUT NEVER SAW ANYWAY TURNED AWAY.
... Ignore the grammar police on here. The reverse caps are cool.
cheers
I've come to the conclusion there are some members of this forum that enjoy making the Camino seem more difficult than it is.
so better to have some idea of what may - or may not - lie ahead....Forewarned and all that
The SJPP pilgrims office announced this morning that they had a record week last week ("record battu"). You weren't making it up, people.
More than 3000 were recorded during the past week at the SJPP pilgrims office.
As it was this time last year Kanga.....glorious indeed! All the way to Galicia and even then, just a couple of days of lovely soft rain and very slight wind.I was thinking that a few days of cold rainy weather would dramatically decrease the numbers (it always does) but I've just looked at the weather forecast for the Route Napoleon for the next week - glorious!
I was thinking that a few days of cold rainy weather would dramatically decrease the numbers (it always does) but I've just looked at the weather forecast for the Route Napoleon for the next week - glorious!
700 in one weekend the source was the Pilgrim Office....Honestly, that 700 pilgrims leaving SJPdP in one day sounds like total falsehood. Just a pilgrim rumor mill.
On any of the times I walked out of SJPdP, can't say I ever saw more than 100 pilgrims combined throughout the whole day all the way to Roncesvalles.
All any of us can do is be 'in the moment' with comments about what's happening on the Camino right now rather than earlier in the year, even last year or 'before' .... experience is very useful to share but the closer it is to the 'here and now' the more useful it is I find. Supportive comments for what's happening right now have been very helpful from many members, live updates have been incredibly supportive via this forum. I hope the wave flattens out soon....Exactly. The Camino is a fluid thing. Not static. No way to predict anything on it. Whether it be the weather or the pilgrim numbers. Sure, obviously there are busier times than others on it, but even then it's impossible to predict day to day whether all albergues will be full. To say it is busy now and I can't find room at an albergue is only needlessly stressing out someone about to start the Camino tomorrow, next week or even next year. I guess I've spent over 120 days/nights on the CF from June-September. I always found room at the inn and never once booked ahead.
I've come to the conclusion there are some members of this forum that enjoy making the Camino seem more difficult than it is. It really is a stress free experience.
Ignore the grammar police on here. The reverse caps are cool.
cheers
That's interesting .... are there any figures for how many of those who start continue all the way? Is 1/3 a guesstimate? I spoke yesterday to someone on their 2nd attempt who stopped at Day 8 last time and got to Day 11 this time....IME 1/3 of them, starting in SJPdP or Roncesvalles will give up, at least for the moment, in Pamplona or shortly after ... Buen Camino, SY
That's interesting .... are there any figures for how many of those who start continue all the way? Is 1/3 a guesstimate? I spoke yesterday to someone on their 2nd attempt who stopped at Day 8 last time and got to Day 11 this time....
I ended at SJPDP once. Waiting for the train to Bayonne I saw about ten persons limping in zoris with brand new boots hanging from their packs. Anecdotally that is probably 3% of those who start. More may quit at Pamplona, but it is a sampling of those who do not make it up the first climb.It is a guesstimate as nobody does really any statistics about those that have to stop their pilgrimage earlier than planned. Buen Camino, SY
I'm in Molineseca and have similar problems my entire walk so far. I even had problems with places to Finisterre. I now have reservations for my entire journey so I wouldn't stress. The Kelly book on Amazon is very helpful as are several app sites. Definitely look at places in the middle of the pages.Hi, I just finished day 3 of our Camino de Santiago, starting in St. Jean. Arriving in Rancesvalles around 4:30, a couple hundred pilgrims were already there. Many of is got into overflow in rooms across the bridge, but all dinner and breakfast tickets were gone, restaurant was out of food, so we ate vending machine food (for which we were quite thankful). Next day we arrived in Zubiri, and again, everything was full! We had tried to reserve something early with no luck. The Municipal Albergues took pity on us and opened up extra space, so my friend and I got a room. But by 6 they were full and sent pilgrims away. We were able to make reservations in Pamplona for the following night, thankfully, because we ran into a few young pilgrims along the way who were panicking because there was nothing. We are now very worried that this will be a major issue the rest of our Camino. I thought this time of year was supposed to be no problem? Is this a sign of even more increases in pilgrims? Thanks! Jamie.
Hi, I just finished day 3 of our Camino de Santiago, starting in St. Jean. Arriving in Rancesvalles around 4:30, a couple hundred pilgrims were already there. Many of is got into overflow in rooms across the bridge, but all dinner and breakfast tickets were gone, restaurant was out of food, so we ate vending machine food (for which we were quite thankful). Next day we arrived in Zubiri, and again, everything was full! We had tried to reserve something early with no luck. The Municipal Albergues took pity on us and opened up extra space, so my friend and I got a room. But by 6 they were full and sent pilgrims away. We were able to make reservations in Pamplona for the following night, thankfully, because we ran into a few young pilgrims along the way who were panicking because there was nothing. We are now very worried that this will be a major issue the rest of our Camino. I thought this time of year was supposed to be no problem? Is this a sign of even more increases in pilgrims? Thanks! Jamie.
Hi, I just finished day 3 of our Camino de Santiago, starting in St. Jean. Arriving in Rancesvalles around 4:30, a couple hundred pilgrims were already there. Many of is got into overflow in rooms across the bridge, but all dinner and breakfast tickets were gone, restaurant was out of food, so we ate vending machine food (for which we were quite thankful). Next day we arrived in Zubiri, and again, everything was full! We had tried to reserve something early with no luck. The Municipal Albergues took pity on us and opened up extra space, so my friend and I got a room. But by 6 they were full and sent pilgrims away. We were able to make reservations in Pamplona for the following night, thankfully, because we ran into a few young pilgrims along the way who were panicking because there was nothing. We are now very worried that this will be a major issue the rest of our Camino. I thought this time of year was supposed to be no problem? Is this a sign of even more increases in pilgrims? Thanks! Jamie.
Hi, no need to take a camping mat. When an albergue is full it’s full. The fire risk laws do not allow them to have pilgrims sleeping on the floor, especially by the doors. Occasionally you hear of it, e.g. in a secluded corner somewhere, but not often. Jill
So Maybe a mat would have made the experience more comfortable.
There seems to be a consistent myth that pilgrim numbers drop in September.
Everyone was remarkably nice about letting people know all caps is considered shouting (which they might not know), so it's good to let them knowNothing to do with grammar, writing in all caps is the equivalent of SHOUTING LOUD on forums etc. Buen Camino, SY
I have been helping out in the private Albergue La Casa Mágica in Villatuerta
That is a good point to consider. However I am doubtful whether it is really the case that they can see caps more clearly. For me, the upper case text is much much harder to read as the shape of the word is lost and the letters seem more crowded. I think it would be better for those people to increase the font size but use upper/lower case normally. (This is my opinion only; I have no research to back it up.)the poster may have difficulty seeing the screen and types in all caps routinely
I agree...but sometimes those with poor vision are of an age that makes changing fonts challenging. AND they may also not realize it's 'shouting' so telling someone is always a good thing. I just wouldn't take offense if the caps continued.That is a good point to consider. However I am doubtful whether it is really the case that they can see caps more clearly. For me, the upper case text is much much harder to read as the shape of the word is lost and the letters seem more crowded. I think it would be better for those people to increase the font size but use upper/lower case normally. (This is my opinion only; I have no research to back it up.)
What are the Brierly stages? I guess a travel guide?
My favourite albergue on the whole camino
Not many Spaniards start in SJPDP, and Spaniards are the highest percentage of pilgrims. (Please someone correct me if I am wrong!) Jill
No, I don't take offense but I probably wouldn't read the post.I just wouldn't take offense if the caps continued.
I don't know if that would be fair...should everyone wait in SJPdP until all the pilgrims walking from in France got rooms? Should those who stopped at Orrison or on the Valcarlos route wait on those who walked from SJPdP? O/w I do agree, stop at a place that is NOT where everyone else wants to stop. Or take a train/bus/taxi ahead, then back the next day to resume walking. Inconvenient? yes, but there are ways around not having an albergue bed for the night.I have a question about those who start at Roncesvalles. Do they get the same priority in the albergue as those who walked from SJPP? I know that those who started at O'Cebreiro - with new credenciales and no stamps yet - had to wait until all the walkers were checked in first.
Some here have mentioned that in many towns they saw pilgrims looking for accomodations to no avail around 4pm - 6pm. That will always be true. Stop and look for a place to stay at 1 pm. Problem solved.
thank you Doug.The choice to book ahead is a personal one. I certainly wouldn't book more than the next day or so before Sarria. Before Sarria you might book up to Pamplona if you want to be sure of getting a bed. After that it might be useful if you are plan to arrive later in the afternoon.
I am quite confident to say that there is no discrimination at the albergues with respect to where you started (SJPP, Roncesvalles, Pamplona or even the town before Sarria). However in some albergues there is the requirement that you have walked there. Those who started in O'Cebreiro presumably did not walk there, except maybe from the bus stop, so they had to wait to get into the albergue at O'Cebreiro. The next day they would be treated like all the others who started earlier.I have a question about those who start at Roncesvalles. Do they get the same priority in the albergue as those who walked from SJPP?
In my experience, no. It's quite something to get there at 4:30PM, exhausted after walking from SJPP, to find the place packed to the gills with people who had come up from Pamplona. This was early March, generally a slow time so the main accommodation block was not being used, but a large pulse of pilgrims had come up on the bus and by taxi. It was a surprise to say the least. I'd seen 6 other people all day, but when I arrived, there were almost no beds left.I have a question about those who start at Roncesvalles. Do they get the same priority in the albergue as those who walked from SJPP? I know that those who started at O'Cebreiro - with new credenciales and no stamps yet - had to wait until all the walkers were checked in first.
I think there should be some concessions made for the people actually walking. Perhaps a middle path solution that offers space for those on the bus (perhaps as in Orrison, by reservation only), but prioritizes first-come-first-serve places for the people who've been out all day, often in dismal weather. Walkers who are exhausted (and perhaps cold and wet) need shelter far more than those who come fresh off the bus.I don't know if that would be fair...should everyone wait in SJPdP until all the pilgrims walking from in France got rooms?
May it be so this September, too...Buen camino to one and all!As it was this time last year Kanga.....glorious indeed! All the way to Galicia and even then, just a couple of days of lovely soft rain and very slight wind.
Hi I walked last year at this time and no things didn't get much better. In fact in one town the owner of one of closed albergues had to come back to town to open it up for overflow. We started leaving earlier everyday and just take what we could get. We did miss out in a couple of places and had to walk on longer distances leading to a case of heat stroke for me. I made a reservation in Logrono a hotel just to chill out somewhere nice. There was a huge amount of people starting when we did 1/ sept so I get your pain. No things didn't get any better no matter even if we tried to stop mid way and not use Briereley book. But having said all this it did just seem to work out as is the Comino way.Hi, I just finished day 3 of our Camino de Santiago, starting in St. Jean. Arriving in Rancesvalles around 4:30, a couple hundred pilgrims were already there. Many of is got into overflow in rooms across the bridge, but all dinner and breakfast tickets were gone, restaurant was out of food, so we ate vending machine food (for which we were quite thankful). Next day we arrived in Zubiri, and again, everything was full! We had tried to reserve something early with no luck. The Municipal Albergues took pity on us and opened up extra space, so my friend and I got a room. But by 6 they were full and sent pilgrims away. We were able to make reservations in Pamplona for the following night, thankfully, because we ran into a few young pilgrims along the way who were panicking because there was nothing. We are now very worried that this will be a major issue the rest of our Camino. I thought this time of year was supposed to be no problem? Is this a sign of even more increases in pilgrims? Thanks! Jamie.
I have a question about those who start at Roncesvalles. Do they get the same priority in the albergue as those who walked from SJPP? I know that those who started at O'Cebreiro - with new credenciales and no stamps yet - had to wait until all the walkers were checked in first.
Some here have mentioned that in many towns they saw pilgrims looking for accomodations to no avail around 4pm - 6pm. That will always be true. Stop and look for a place to stay at 1 pm. Problem solved.
... In Europe most try and commence from their from doors.
...
Some here have mentioned that in many towns they saw pilgrims looking for accomodations to no avail around 4pm - 6pm. That will always be true. Stop and look for a place to stay at 1 pm. Problem solved.
I'm not so sure I know what you mean, @Smallest_Sparrow, and not really wanting to disagree because I don't actually feel too strongly about this. But what about when it's the opposite of your example? In the situation I described, the majority of the people who were in the albergue that night were under 30--and they hadn't walked to get there. I'm in my early 60s and had walked from SJPP. The weather was kind that day, but I was still beat. They bus arrivers were not, at all.I'd rather use a first world solution than start deciding whether an elderly/infirm pilgrim who starts in RV because he can't safely cross the Pyrenees (how many times has that been recommended on this forum) is less deserving of a room than a fit 26 year old who spent the night on valcarlos.
It wasn't a matter of what I wanted, but a matter of needing shelter. Fortunately I got it, but barely. The room was full minutes later. Were the shoe on the other foot I would hate to get off the bus and later find that I'd taken a bunk space from someone who had walked all day to get there, and who needed the space more than I. It wouldn't feel right.it's sad when we don't get what we want, but it also gives us a chance to adapt and grow.
Thornley, do you have a photo of this? It would be very interesting to see.In a beautiful bar next to the Parador in Santo Domingo there is an ancient map on the wall , at least 4 metres x 2 metres.
Because no-one talks about this as an option--we're in a SJPP rutI still cannot understand why the bus from Bayonne to St Palais is not considered by most.
Two days walk via Ostabat before StJPP , looking at the pyrenees all the time ........... straight over no problems.
Certainly in numbers have gone up, but maybe not in percentage or intention? Those percentages describe the situation I witnessed quite accurately, with the exception of the number of people coming from before SJPP. The intention of almost all of the Spanish peregrinos I've met on my caminos, walking for part or all of Semana Santa as a family school outing--though this may not be the case at other times of year.There are three pilgrim categories: pilgrims coming from France who have already walked for several days or weeks (about 10%), pilgrims who had started in the morning in Saint Jean Pied de Port and are therefore on their first day (about 15%) and pilgrims who are starting the way and have not yet walked (about 75%). ...in many cases, the pilgrims have the intention of walking for several days, often 4-5 days.
That was a voice from 2001. Things have no doubt changed since then.
I didn't mean to say that they don't--sorry if I was not clear, @Kathar1na. What I was thinking of was what you had said--that is, that the albergue is taking in both pilgrims and visitors/school groups.I think that is a wrong conclusion/summary. They do their utmost to find a place for everyone who walks in.
I'm not so sure I know what you mean, @Smallest_Sparrow, and not really wanting to disagree because I don't actually feel too strongly about this. But what about when it's the opposite of your example? In the situation I described, the majority of the people who were in the albergue that night were under 30--and they hadn't walked to get there. I'm in my early 60s and had walked from SJPP. The weather was kind that day, but I was still beat. They bus arrivers were not, at all.
It wasn't a matter of what I wanted, but a matter of needing shelter. Fortunately I got it, but barely. The room was full minutes later. Were the shoe on the other foot I would hate to get off the bus and later find that I'd taken a bunk space from someone who had walked all day to get there, and who needed the space more than I. It wouldn't feel right.
So I'm glad there is at least one place that manages take the distance walked and physical need into consideration. But the albergue at Roncesvalles does not--as @Kathar1na's post so aptly shows.
The myth is that it's a venerable Camino institution whose mission is to serve pilgrims who have walked through the mountains from France. That's what it was built for, but times have changed. And while it is venerable and does serve pilgrims who walk in--it does so while now also needing to fill space with bodies. How that happens is no longer part of the calculus.
Thornley, do you have a photo of this? It would be very interesting to see.
Gee, @Thornley, my attention just got pulled away from this part of the world to the Portugues Interior...so I don't know!Who is going first , you or me
I hope we can agree to be friendsI'm not so sure I know what you mean, @Smallest_Sparrow, and not really wanting to disagree because I don't actually feel too strongly about this. But what about when it's the opposite of your example? In the situation I described, the majority of the people who were in the albergue that night were under 30--and they hadn't walked to get there. I'm in my early 60s and had walked from SJPP. The weather was kind that day, but I was still beat. They bus arrivers were not, at all.
It wasn't a matter of what I wanted, but a matter of needing shelter. Fortunately I got it, but barely. The room was full minutes later. Were the shoe on the other foot I would hate to get off the bus and later find that I'd taken a bunk space from someone who had walked all day to get there, and who needed the space more than I. It wouldn't feel right.
So I'm glad there is at least one place that manages take the distance walked and physical need into consideration. But the albergue at Roncesvalles does not--as @Kathar1na's post so aptly shows.
The myth is that it's a venerable Camino institution whose mission is to serve pilgrims who have walked through the mountains from France. That's what it was built for, but times have changed. And while it is venerable and does serve pilgrims who walk in--it does so while now also needing to fill space with bodies. How that happens is no longer part of the calculus.
Thornley, do you have a photo of this? It would be very interesting to see.
Of course. Different strokes for different folks.I hope we can agree to be friends
Thanks. On the airport now travelling to Madrid. Can't wait to start my camino.Don't sweat it. By late September the pilgrim numbers will have gone down I am sure. My best advice is to ignore some of the gossipy threads on here totally unsupported by facts.
I found the attached graph off the net. It's a couple of years old, but as you see the numbers go down as you approach October.
cheers and ultreia
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Buen Camino and ultreiaThanks. On the airport now travelling to Madrid. Can't wait to start my camino.
I am quite confident to say that there is no discrimination at the albergues with respect to where you started (SJPP, Roncesvalles, Pamplona or even the town before Sarria). However in some albergues there is the requirement that you have walked there. Those who started in O'Cebreiro presumably did not walk there, except maybe from the bus stop, so they had to wait to get into the albergue at O'Cebreiro. The next day they would be treated like all the others who started earlier.
My heart sank as I read this. What if everyone walking took this approach and the albergues fill up by 1pm - do we then stop even earlier? A noon curfew perhaps? I fear that even more people would feel the answer is to begin walking ludicrously early - even before it gets light. Or perhaps we could create a new tradition of 24/7 pilgrimage with 24/7 albergues where pilgrims can sleep in a hot-bunk rotation like submarine crews: nocturnal peregrinos catching up on their sleep during the daytime while their sun-loving partners slog across the meseta?
Myself, I had a wonderful, mostly serene, solitary walk on the Camino Frances in May and June.
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