- Time of past OR future Camino
- Vía de la Plata ‘23
Le Puy ‘25
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The past couple of times I have been in Santiago this year, there were more tourists eating in the old town than pilgrims. It is both a pilgrim and a tourist destination.Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see "pilgrims" mentioned anywhere in the article.
Not sure we live in the same good ole US of A(And mostly people would not be drinking alcohol before later afternoon),
On my way home from a Camino I met a young American woman in London from a "dry" county in one of the southern states of the USA. No alcohol sold at all in the local shops, cafes and restaurants apparently. Can't see that idea catching on in Santiago.Not sure we live in the same good ole US of A
Once pilgrims arrive in Santiago it can be hard to differentiate who has walked there and who hasn't.The past couple of times I have been in Santiago this year, there were more tourists eating in the old town than pilgrims. It is both a pilgrim and a tourist destination.
You might be skating on the perilously thin ice of Rule 3Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see "pilgrims" mentioned anywhere in the article.
Didn't they notice quite a lot of fairly modern city on the walk into town from the Monte de Gozo? The historic centre of the town is pretty small compared with the big urban sprawl that surrounds it.they were surprised that there were all kinds of stores beyond the gift shops they'd been seeing within the radius of our hotel near the cathedral.
I think they had forgotten all that once we reached the Cathedral although a couple of them stopped for coffee and others at a candy shop on the way into town. They were mostly excited to see clothing stores and we didn't pass by many of those on the way into town. It was mostly a bunch of young women who thought their two or three walking outfits needed an update. They were all thankful when we arrived in Madrid in the middle of the Gran Via with shopping, shopping, shopping.Didn't they notice quite a lot of fairly modern city on the walk into town from the Monte de Gozo? The historic centre of the town is pretty small compared with the big urban sprawl that surrounds it.
to be fair.... I honestly do NOT remember anything.... I Remember crossing that pedestrian bridge and stopping over by SdC "sign" (monument?) for obligatory photo....anything afterwards is a blur of streets.... the speed increased (although probably unintentionally), same with breathing and the next thing I know is hooking a right at the fountain, then going under the arch with pipes loudly piping me in...and emerging on the other side into a welcoming embrace of my wife...Didn't they notice quite a lot of fairly modern city on the walk into town from the Monte de Gozo? The historic centre of the town is pretty small compared with the big urban sprawl that surrounds it.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see "pilgrims" mentioned anywhere in the article.
I was questioning why the OP added the word "pilgrim" to the thread title, when the topic of the article was about the huge tourism numbers affecting the operations of local restaurants. The identification of "pilgrims" is largely irrelevant.You might be skating on the perilously thin ice of Rule 3
I often meet my sister or a good friend for a girl's lunch out ("Ladies who lunch") at a variety of our favorite restaurants of choice and we nearly always enjoy 1-2 glasses of wine. That said, I am definitely not a lush on a daily basis.(And mostly people would not be drinking alcohol before later afternoon),
Deep sigh... some of us have to work all day and suffice with only a can of sparkling water or a cup of coffee at noon...I often meet my sister or a good friend for a girl's lunch out ("Ladies who lunch") at a variety of our favorite restaurants of choice and we nearly always enjoy 1-2 glasses of wine. That said, I am definitely not a lush on a daily basis.
As the OP I stand corrected. Only tourists hereI was questioning why the OP added the word "pilgrim" to the thread title, when the topic of the article was about the huge tourism numbers affecting the operations of local restaurants. The identification of "pilgrims" is largely irrelevant.
Or pilgrimsWe're all tourists really.
I am a "partial" tourist anyway.We're all tourists really.
I think we can count on C Clearly to see clearly which side of the line she is on. ;-)You might be skating on the perilously thin ice of Rule 3
How do you differentiate? On my last Camino I was quite puzzeled to see many faces I had seen on the last 100 k suddenly dressed up from a giant suitcase like luxury tourist hanging out in the old town and dining. It felt strange as I was still dressed "like a pilgrim" ;-)The past couple of times I have been in Santiago this year, there were more tourists eating in the old town than pilgrims. It is both a pilgrim and a tourist destination.
I don't. In my opinion the introduction of the 100km minimum rule was a huge mistake. Mucks up peoples' understanding of "pilgrimage". It is really only in Santiago and on a few recently revived routes directly modelled on the Caminos that people insist that "pilgrimage" = "walking".How do you differentiate?
I agree on that. There are many pilgrims, but fewer long distance hikers among them. But so what ... I am there to walk ... a lot. Others are there for other reasons.I don't. In my opinion the introduction of the 100km minimum rule was a huge mistake. Mucks up peoples' understanding of "pilgrimage". It is really only in Santiago and on a few recently revived routes directly modelled on the Caminos that people insist that "pilgrimage" = "walking".
My kid definitely took advantage of the non-historic area shopping in SdC, dropping quite a bit of cash. (Those prescription sunglasses cost more than their RT airfare from the states!)I think they had forgotten all that once we reached the Cathedral although a couple of them stopped for coffee and others at a candy shop on the way into town. They were mostly excited to see clothing stores and we didn't pass by many of those on the way into town. It was mostly a bunch of young women who thought their two or three walking outfits needed an update. They were all thankful when we arrived in Madrid in the middle of the Gran Via with shopping, shopping, shopping.
Well in this winter there were only a handful of us on the Camino and the shops and restaurants were full on the holiday weekend. Not all pilgrims.How do you differentiate? On my last Camino I was quite puzzeled to see many faces I had seen on the last 100 k suddenly dressed up from a giant suitcase like luxury tourist hanging out in the old town and dining. It felt strange as I was still dressed "like a pilgrim" ;-)
True, in winter that is quite obvious!Well in this winter there were only a handful of us on the Camino and the shops and restaurants were full on the holiday weekend. Not all pilgrims.
Our women's singing group always finish with cake and wine and that's about 5 in the afternoonI often meet my sister or a good friend for a girl's lunch out ("Ladies who lunch") at a variety of our favorite restaurants of choice and we nearly always enjoy 1-2 glasses of wine. That said, I am definitely not a lush on a daily basis.
Me, too! I sometimes do purchase a "better looking" top in Santiago for dining out.I remain dressed as a pilgrim. Really do not want any more luggage.
To me there would be no other way either. Actually transforming suddenly into a "normal tourist" would spoil the ending for me.I remain dressed as a pilgrim. Really do not want any more luggage.
its 5 o'clock somewhereOur women's singing group always finish with cake and wine and that's about 5 in the afternoon
Well, as I mentioned - the wife came to meet me and she DID bring a suitcase (if anything we were finishing the whole 'adventure' with 3-day stay in Madrid after our mutual Camino Finisterre)... so there were some clothes for me to change to.I remain dressed as a pilgrim. Really do not want any more luggage.
I love that shopping area in SdC!My kid definitely took advantage of the non-historic area shopping in SdC, dropping quite a bit of cash. (Those prescription sunglasses cost more than their RT airfare from the states!)
I wear much the same clothes and footwear at home as on the Caminos. Adjusted for temperature of course!To be honest, at home I am often not dressed up like most people either ;-) I like it practical ...
For me, one of the lessons of the Camino was learning to live MUCH more minimally.I wear much the same clothes and footwear at home as on the Caminos. Adjusted for temperature of course!
I love that shopping area in SdC!
.... I enjoy a nice yearly shopping spree in SdC or Madrid at the end of each pilgrimage. I find the quality of clothes and shoes in Spain to be much higher than what we can now purchase in the USA so I buy most of my clothes there.
I had thought the same thing!It's 5 o'clock somewhere
I had a Shadow pilgrim on one of my Caminos when hubby met us in Santiago at the end. I'd packed his backpack before I left home to "get it right".This is "my date" with the Shadow Pilgrim
Every pilgrim is a tourist while many tourists might be pilgrims.I am a "partial" tourist anyway.
I would not assume that the article represented the opinions of more than a very few people in Santiago. They may well be those who are outraged at the rain falling in Galicia. Their complaints remind me greatly of Inspector Renault in Casablanca who, greatly distressed, expressed his shock that there was gambling on the premises.It's sad to see the people of Santiago fail in their duty of gratitude to pilgrims. Without us, they'd be rooting in garbage bins. The pilgrim can do no wrong
What is wrong with the usual merino layers? However, I admit that I do have one insulated jacket that I wouldn't take on the Camino, and I use a different backpack at home.I wear much the same clothes and footwear at home as on the Caminos. Adjusted for temperature of course!
Uh... not sure we are talking about the same thing... (although usually you and I ARE "in sync")I had a Shadow pilgrim on one of my Caminos when hubby met us in Santiago at the end. I'd packed his backpack before I left home to "get it right".He walked between Muxia and Finesterre, then we rented a vehicle and toured in Portugal.
Where IS that Shadow Pilgrim, anyway?Uh... not sure we are talking about the same thing... (although usually you and I ARE "in sync")
I'm talking about "The Ghost" Shadow Pilgrim - he is standing next to me "in the corner"....
Ooops!Uh... not sure we are talking about the same thing... (although usually you and I ARE "in sync")
I'm talking about "The Ghost" Shadow Pilgrim - he is standing next to me "in the corner"....
In the Praza da Quintana. A shadow produced by a small column. There is a webcam which points that way. Have a look at this link after dark on a clear night and you can spot the shadow pilgrim in the corner behind the pillar.Where IS that Shadow Pilgrim, anyway?
I've never seen it.
Does it have to be visiting from abroad? How about the Spanish who walk the Camino?Is "tourist" a swear word? all this just confuses me.. Aren't we all tourists, because visiting abroud?
Exactly that feeling I hadHow do you differentiate? On my last Camino I was quite puzzeled to see many faces I had seen on the last 100 k suddenly dressed up from a giant suitcase like luxury tourist hanging out in the old town and dining. It felt strange as I was still dressed "like a pilgrim" ;-)
Ups, sorry if I insulted someoneDoes it have to be visiting from abroad? How about the Spanish who walk the Camino?
I live 100 miles from Chicago, but when I go to the city for a long day or an overnight doing interesting things such as the river "Architectural tour" I consider myself a tourist.
No worries...I am not insulted at all!Ups, sorry if I insulted someoneof course, and I haven't even read the hole tread
In certain parts of the world 4 or 5 miles is enoughNo worries...I am not insulted at all! I was just pointing out that you don't have to go far from home necessarily, to be considered a tourist.
Not at all. Take note that its 7 letters! To qualify as "a swear" it must be less than that (not always but usually around 4)Is "tourist" a swear word? all this just confuses me.. Aren't we all tourists, because visiting abroud?
In Jersey, for a journey of that length, you would take your passport and toothbrush.In certain parts of the world 4 or 5 miles is enough
Yes, my experience exactly. I would sit at the nice Cafe tables and be told no food until I figured out the secret dining room. HahahaOnce pilgrims arrive in Santiago it can be hard to differentiate who has walked there and who hasn't.
Some of the dining "rules" in Spain kind of drive me crazy. Last year a fellow pilgrim and I went for the menú del día at a restaurant in Liendo on the Norte. It was a warm day, and there were tables out front that looked inviting, but we had to sit in the hot, stuffy dining room since we had ordered the menú. I would have paid a bit extra to sit outside, but it wasn't allowed.
It's time to wake up , we are all guests/tourists in a town/country where we don't live in.Tijdens het weekend is het niet te doen in het centrum van Santiago, (dagjes toeristen)Niks voor mij .
Google translate: During the weekend there is nothing to do in the center of Santiago, (tourists for day trips) Not for me.
I think you were going in the right direction. The brownie points for being a pilgrim (or a hardcore distance walker) rather than a tourist are imaginary and I think St Peter probably doesn’t take them into account. And despite what they tell you, lugging a too heavy backpack isn’t really character-building, it mostly just trashes your hips and knees for down the line.Where was I going with this?
Initially, I read this to be that you had changed into a new pair of pants, a straw hat and a new T-shirt, while retaining the jacket, sandals and the smell.…. in Santiago I sort of stayed 'in-between' - changed my pants to non-hiking pair, the hat to a straw … and a brand new …. T-shirt while retaining the jacket, the sandals and the shell
I’m wondering if you’ve noticed this shadow ? Pics (2) were taken at 12.53pm (midday) 20 Oct 2023. Below the cathedral steps. I was taking a pic of the shell in the pic and later noticed the shadow..Where IS that Shadow Pilgrim, anyway?
I've never seen it.
I think a good number of us are doing a ‘picture of Dorian Grey’ in reverse with our avatars!P.S. Although to be fair my avatar one is about 20 years ago.... maybe I should change that...
HtD, your newest Avatar looks to me like a man with very long legs who is running.I think a good number of us are doing a ‘picture of Dorian Grey’ in reverse with our avatars!
At home I wear clothes bought in Santiago (a fine selection of Camino tee shirts). On Camino I wear clothes bought at home.I wear much the same clothes and footwear at home as on the Caminos. Adjusted for temperature of course!
I got free glasses from the U.S. veteran’s administration. But they didn’t arrive before my trip to Spain. I got tired of having to cross the street to read the street sign, so took my prescription to a shop in Estella. I do like my “Spanish spectacles” more than the V.A. ones, but the €400 they cost might be a rare exception to the general rule that health care in Spain is less expensive.This is really the truth of the matter, plus they are less expensive and the styling is also so much better. And the glasses! I swear that that the optomistrist shops in Spain are the second* best in the world.
Last partial Camino in 2021, walked with some friends. We had walked 150 miles in 2018 with everything on our backs. This time, I was surprised to see them toting roller bags with ALL SORTS of stuff. I was still using my pack. I don’t think they ever had to wash their clothes on a17 day trip! Made me wonder if I was the odd one.How do you differentiate? On my last Camino I was quite puzzeled to see many faces I had seen on the last 100 k suddenly dressed up from a giant suitcase like luxury tourist hanging out in the old town and dining. It felt strange as I was still dressed "like a pilgrim" ;-)
The last time I was in Santiago there were tours from a cruise ship with more than 200 tourist.. in town. They were there for several hours and the cruise paid for the swinging Botafumeiro in the cathedral.The past couple of times I have been in Santiago this year, there were more tourists eating in the old town than pilgrims. It is both a pilgrim and a tourist destination.
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