casa susana
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- camino frances 2012
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This is exactly what is disappointing, not just on the camino. I am seeing it in the area where I live, as well. Many people are not taking what we have learned and applying it as a serious matter as they go about their business. I realize we are creatures of habit, but it seems like many are acting as if the virus doesn't exist because it can not be "seen".I am a vulnerable person and deserve to be able to eat out safely. Please think about what you are doing in terms of the safety of others.
Villages and many people in Portomarin are afraid of pilgrims as virus spreaders, so please tread carefully and behave respectfully towards all you meet and you will find people more welcoming.
I am dismayed to hear about such careless behaviors. As one of past pilgrims, I apologize. By the way Portomarin is one of my favorite city on CF. What a lovely place it is. I am envious that you live there. God bless you with good health.Pilgrims are walking 2 abreast chatting away and not seeing a local approaching on a narrow section of the path - not moving to single file, to maintain social distancing. The average age in small villages is over 70 so you will pass many vulnerable people. Think of them please.
The second observation in an outdoor seating area of Hotel Pons Mineas, Portomarin, the seats are carefully arranged to maintain safe distancing, until a pilgrim comes and seeing the only table is not in the shade, proceeds to move chairs into the shade and too close to me. She became annoyed when I reminded her that the tables and chairs were placed so as to maintain safety. I am a vulnerable person and deserve to be able to eat out safely. Please think about what you are doing in terms of the safety of others.
Villages and many people in Portomarin are afraid of pilgrims as virus spreaders, so please tread carefully and behave respectfully towards all you meet and you will find people more welcoming.
Amen to that!I live in the middle of the Camino del Norte, a few days ago I saw the first pilgrims crossing the city.
I can assure you that pilgrims are welcome ... as long as they comply with all the security measures. A different problem is people (not just pilgrims), regardless of whether they are local or foreign, who continue to break all regulations.
Please, if you do not want to maintain all security measures ... stay home (regardless of whether you are Spanish or foreign).
Believe me ... regulations are not that difficult to follow!!
Thank you for your thoughtfulness. It is appreciated more than you know. Stay safe and well.I'm back from Spain and I noticed 2 things... the area around San Vicente and Potes was very busy and I guess predominately with Spanish tourists. We were surprised at how busy some places were but also saddened that in the tourist areas perhaps only 50% of people were wearing a mask. This wasn't the case when we were in the little villages inland.
We stopped in a bar on our last day and sat outside. The lady serving kept returning to the bar to smoke her cigarette inbetween taking orders... with her mask around her neck... needless to say we didn't stay.
I am home again in SW France and went grocery shopping yesterday...Everywhere is busy because this is a very popular tourist area and people are now allowed to travel. I was so surprised at how many people just don't social distance and don't wear a mask. A chap in the supermarket was blocking my way... he said just come by... I said no thanks, it's too close and you're not wearing a mask... he laughed and said I was crazy. It seems that pilgrims, Spanish and French and all sorts of tourists aren't so different. And it's not even just tourists... plenty of folks think it's gone away or that the rules don't apply to them.
I try not to let it upset me too much because it will just get under my skin and worry me... we just keep wearing our masks, washing our hands and keeping our distance. I the words of Tom Hanks... it's the very least that we can all do.
Having read all the replies to the OP, and having just got back home to Madrid from Villafranca del Bierzo, I too made a few observations while staying in, and visiting small towns on the Camino Francés.Pilgrims are walking 2 abreast chatting away and not seeing a local approaching on a narrow section of the path - not moving to single file, to maintain social distancing. The average age in small villages is over 70 so you will pass many vulnerable people. Think of them please.
The second observation in an outdoor seating area of Hotel Pons Mineas, Portomarin, the seats are carefully arranged to maintain safe distancing, until a pilgrim comes and seeing the only table is not in the shade, proceeds to move chairs into the shade and too close to me. She became annoyed when I reminded her that the tables and chairs were placed so as to maintain safety. I am a vulnerable person and deserve to be able to eat out safely. Please think about what you are doing in terms of the safety of others.
Villages and many people in Portomarin are afraid of pilgrims as virus spreaders, so please tread carefully and behave respectfully towards all you meet and you will find people more welcoming.
I can't speak to what's happening in the rest of the world, VNwalking, but sadly, in the US, we have a large number of people who have the attitude you describe. If the governor of a state like mine has mandated masks as an emergency health measure, they take it as an infringement on their 'personal rights.' If they want to see it that way, why not drive 50 in a 25 mph zone, or start smoking anywhere they wish, despite laws prohibiting it? These folks prefer emotion over logic to rally followers, and get their 15 seconds of fame. In some places they've started their own militia troops, wearing camouflage uniforms and bullet proof vests, and carrying guns.All the heated discussions we've had here about walking or not, and about attitude, have been a little pointless. None of us are there on the ground - and none of us have any idea of what it's like for locals to be meeting pilgrims and what that feels like on the receiving end.
But you are there, so thank you for this reality check, @casa susana.
I really hope your message reaches the people who need to see it, and that they actually listen.
An essential lesson of this virus is that we cannot live without somehow learning how to be considerate of each other.
"Who are you to tell me what to do" and "Mind your own business" have no place in this Covid-19 world we inhabit together. Social distancing is everybody's business.
Very upsetting. Same in EnglandPilgrims are walking 2 abreast chatting away and not seeing a local approaching on a narrow section of the path - not moving to single file, to maintain social distancing. The average age in small villages is over 70 so you will pass many vulnerable people. Think of them please.
The second observation in an outdoor seating area of Hotel Pons Mineas, Portomarin, the seats are carefully arranged to maintain safe distancing, until a pilgrim comes and seeing the only table is not in the shade, proceeds to move chairs into the shade and too close to me. She became annoyed when I reminded her that the tables and chairs were placed so as to maintain safety. I am a vulnerable person and deserve to be able to eat out safely. Please think about what you are doing in terms of the safety of others.
Villages and many people in Portomarin are afraid of pilgrims as virus spreaders, so please tread carefully and behave respectfully towards all you meet and you will find people more welcoming.
It’s the same in England where I live. I could give so many exemples but I give up.... What is wrong with people, can’t they see we’re all on the same side? Trying to survive this?I'm back from Spain and I noticed 2 things... the area around San Vicente and Potes was very busy and I guess predominately with Spanish tourists. We were surprised at how busy some places were but also saddened that in the tourist areas perhaps only 50% of people were wearing a mask. This wasn't the case when we were in the little villages inland.
We stopped in a bar on our last day and sat outside. The lady serving kept returning to the bar to smoke her cigarette inbetween taking orders... with her mask around her neck... needless to say we didn't stay.
I am home again in SW France and went grocery shopping yesterday...Everywhere is busy because this is a very popular tourist area and people are now allowed to travel. I was so surprised at how many people just don't social distance and don't wear a mask. A chap in the supermarket was blocking my way... he said just come by... I said no thanks, it's too close and you're not wearing a mask... he laughed and said I was crazy. It seems that pilgrims, Spanish and French and all sorts of tourists aren't so different. And it's not even just tourists... plenty of folks think it's gone away or that the rules don't apply to them.
I try not to let it upset me too much because it will just get under my skin and worry me... we just keep wearing our masks, washing our hands and keeping our distance. I the words of Tom Hanks... it's the very least that we can all do.
I am sorry to read you experienced such disregard for your own, and others safety. You are wise to be vigilant and as you say the precautions are not difficult to follow. Sending you aroha (love) from New Zealand. We have no community transmission of the virus because of strict measures that worked well and geographical advantages for border control. And yet, we have a leader reinforcing just how much we remain vulnerable to this indiscriminatory virus until a cure/treatment is found. Stay humble people, stay safe, and thank you for your courage. Kia Kaha @casa susanaPilgrims are walking 2 abreast chatting away and not seeing a local approaching on a narrow section of the path - not moving to single file, to maintain social distancing. The average age in small villages is over 70 so you will pass many vulnerable people. Think of them please.
The second observation in an outdoor seating area of Hotel Pons Mineas, Portomarin, the seats are carefully arranged to maintain safe distancing, until a pilgrim comes and seeing the only table is not in the shade, proceeds to move chairs into the shade and too close to me. She became annoyed when I reminded her that the tables and chairs were placed so as to maintain safety. I am a vulnerable person and deserve to be able to eat out safely. Please think about what you are doing in terms of the safety of others.
Villages and many people in Portomarin are afraid of pilgrims as virus spreaders, so please tread carefully and behave respectfully towards all you meet and you will find people more welcoming.
Same thing here in coastal South Carolina. They're even happy to tell the media that they come here to relax away from the regulations where they live.It seems to be especially prevalent with people away from home. I live in a small town along the ocean in North Carolina. We are seeing many visitors/tourists completely ignoring the state and local protocols regarding distancing and masking. Like the virus doesnt exist when on vacation. Very disrespectful of others.
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