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@fraluchi , can you get your hands on the number starting IN SJPP, to compare those to arrivals and fet a sense of numbers of people who do it in bits? As for the increase from Sarria, lazy buggers on a quest for a certificate
No sense of humour? And no, CF in 3 chunks, because work actually calls, and I can only walk for 15 days or so at a time depending on flight availability. Actually, the fist time I had no intention of ever finishing or going back. And never started from Saria: SJPP, Leon and the 3rd time Burgos. Funny, that last time I even walked a section I had aleready walked: just imagine, all these extra km! What was I thunking of.Hi Anemore,
Were you a lazy bugger in 2013 ?
It seems you took 7 years and 3 sections , was the last one from Sarria?
Don't be toooo hard on those "certificate for the wall" seekers mate.
No sense of humour? And no, CF in 3 chunks, because work actually calls, and I can only walk for 15 days or so at a time depending on flight availability. Actually, the fist time I had no intention of ever finishing or going back. And never started from Saria: SJPP, Leon and the 3rd time Burgos. Funny, that last time I even walked a section I had aleready walked: just imagine, all these extra km! What was I thunking of.
Should just have done 5 starts from Sarria and call it a day. A transaltlantic flight for 4 days is jist not worth it. In 2014 I set twice actaully, in the fall to walk the Norte from San Sebatian to LLanes. This spring The Primitivo. Never walked unde 300km on each trip. Sorry!
RULE ONE: Everyone walks their OWN Camino. It is not for me (or you) to judge the worthiness of the distance walked.
However, I do I do recall feeling the exact same way as the OP on my first Camino; about all the fresh energetic faces, wearing sparkling new kit, with CLEAN SHOES and clothing, walking four and five abreast, engaged in loud animated conversation, tossing snack trash and cigarette butts onto the path, and playing audible music (and even a football match) from open speakers on the section after Sarria.
Frankly, the contrast between those of use who had been on the path since SJPdP, a month earlier, could not be more dramatic. By the time we reached Sarria, we longer-distance pilgrims mostly had one physical malady or another, our clothing tended towards sweat, soil and stains, as did our footwear and all exterior gear. We mostly had a weary appearance and looked worse for wear.
As we tried to pass the "pedestrian pelotons" of folks who started in Sarria to walk the minimum distance prescribed by the Church to attain the Compostela, some folks would enquire as to where or when we started we started. When we replied simply "Francia," the conversation quickly and quietly ended. We would simply wish them Buen Camino, uttered "perdon," a half-dozen or so times to maneuver through the group blocking the path and pressed forward, onward toward Santiago de Compostela.
Then, once at Santiago, I met several pilgrims who had made the journey from Sarria in wheelchairs, canes, crutches; and one fellow who walked following a serious stroke that left his right side largely paralyzed. THAT is the moment that I permanently reinforced RULE ONE in my brain. Since then, and even through two tours as an Amigo and Voluntario at the Pilgrim Office, have I ceased to pay any mind towards how far someone walked to attain the Compostela. Each to his or her own capabilities and conscience...
This said, while working at the Pilgrim Office this year, I informally noted that there seemed to be an inverse relationship between the distance walked and surliness when on the queue or during the entire process. Somedays, it occurred to me that those who had walked the shortest distance were the most impatient, noisy, surly, demanding and just plain loutish.
Conversely, it appeared to me that those who had walked longer distances seemed to be the most understanding, tolerant, patient and agreeable, in general. Then, again, there were the cyclists...
I prefer not to start on that subject, beyond suggesting that they ought to go to a different place to get their certificates. In my experience over two years, they tend to disturb the entire flow, balance, and relativity tranquility at the office. Perhaps this will change for the better when the Pilgrim Office moves to Ruá das Carretas #33 in the coming months...
Perhaps there is something in a longer, walking Camino that humanizes pilgrims? Who knows? Not me.
I hope this helps.
I agree thank youWonderfully said
Re: Rule one post above and patience in compostela line from longer distance hikers.... We waited days and weeks to get there and, at least in my case, maybe desperately in need of a nap!
Count me in as one of the September/October Camino Frances pilgrims. In three weeks I'll be on my way.Pilgrim arrivals registered at the Oficina de Peregrinos in Santiago during August 2015 were 54’795. Those numbers represent a 7% increase compared to the arrivals in August 2014 (51’219).
33’759 Pilgrims walked the Camino Francés during August (65% of all arrivals), 220 less than those during the same month in 2014. However, 1’474 more pilgrims than in August 2014 (+ 11%) started from Sarria. This shift of ever more pilgrims starting from Sarria keeps increasing. In fact, year-to-date Sarria walker increases, compared to previous years, were 40% (2015), 37% (2014), 35% (2013) and 31% (2012).
The year-to-date pilgrim arrivals increases from Caminos other than the Francés are outpacing the latter’s trend (+6%): Portugués +22%, Primitivo +40%, Inglés +29%, Norte +11%, VdlP +8%
There is only a marginal change in pilgrims who started from SJPP/Roncesvalles/Pamplona: 28’615 this year, 28’040 during 2014. (+2%)
Looking ahead: September has traditionally shown arrival figures similar to those of June. If this trend continues this year, some 36’000 pilgrims could be expected, of whom about 70% walked the Francés. The numbers starting from O’Cebreiro and Sarria should “cool down” marginally to July levels, but will still be substantial: about 1/3 of all arrivals in Santiago. We’ll see!?
Any idea how many started in LePuy and made it to Ronchesvalles?Pilgrim arrivals registered at the Oficina de Peregrinos in Santiago during August 2015 were 54’795. Those numbers represent a 7% increase compared to the arrivals in August 2014 (51’219).
33’759 Pilgrims walked the Camino Francés during August (65% of all arrivals), 220 less than those during the same month in 2014. However, 1’474 more pilgrims than in August 2014 (+ 11%) started from Sarria. This shift of ever more pilgrims starting from Sarria keeps increasing. In fact, year-to-date Sarria walker increases, compared to previous years, were 40% (2015), 37% (2014), 35% (2013) and 31% (2012).
The year-to-date pilgrim arrivals increases from Caminos other than the Francés are outpacing the latter’s trend (+6%): Portugués +22%, Primitivo +40%, Inglés +29%, Norte +11%, VdlP +8%
There is only a marginal change in pilgrims who started from SJPP/Roncesvalles/Pamplona: 28’615 this year, 28’040 during 2014. (+2%)
Looking ahead: September has traditionally shown arrival figures similar to those of June. If this trend continues this year, some 36’000 pilgrims could be expected, of whom about 70% walked the Francés. The numbers starting from O’Cebreiro and Sarria should “cool down” marginally to July levels, but will still be substantial: about 1/3 of all arrivals in Santiago. We’ll see!?
Hi all,Any idea how many started in LePuy and made it to Ronchesvalles?
Hi all,
Interesting thread. Some of you might find these photos interesting (you'll have to zoom in to see the info); I took them in early August 2014 in the pilgrims' office in SJPP. These are all the people who register at the office (most pilgrims, I would say). Keep in mind that many of these have come from various French routes as well, may be finishing there or they might be starting their camino. People on the French routes generally do the routes in sections sometimes over years. It all makes it pretty hard to gauge how many of us are coming through. I was happy to see that Aussies are in the top 10 (not so on the route from Le Puy, where we are still a special dish!
(For those who can't guess: 'passages mensuels' indicates how many people are passing through each month)...
I'm one of the August 2015 arrivals.
And it pains me to admit it, I walked from SJPP and my camino took a serious downturn after Sarria as I was frequently woken by incredibly rude new pilgrims who would turn lights on in dorms and set multiple alarms and hit snooze over and over, shout and laugh until 1am. Walking in a long line of people just completely changed my internal and external camino. I felt absolutely nothing arriving into Santiago but luckily had my 'arrival' in O Cebreiro which was above the clouds and utterly mystical and beautiful and obviously a much harder climb with a sense of achievement at the top.
I just races into Santiago to get finished with the crowds, the walk was still enjoyable but the feeling of the walk, despite gorgeous Galicia, simply changed and for me, for the worse. I tried but failed not to judge or become irritated with Sarria pilgrims. :/
Just out of curiosity, how young are you? Your son? I have made my mom an offer to do the last 111 km from Sarria into Santiago. She is 82, has a replacement knee, and seem to always be complaining of one joint affliction or another. Yes, I know this comes with the territory as one ages. I am 62 and have chronic knee problems, plus other conditions. Despite her perceived condition, mom walks faster than me on level ground.
I had my personal conversation moment while on my first Camino in 2013. On a drizzly, windy day in early May, while walking across a level section after Los Arcos, I heard a voice. The voice was not audible to my ears. It seemed at the time that my entire body was hearing, feeling, sensing the words. There were only three words, but they penetrated deep. All I heard was: "We are pleased..." I heard it one time only. I was walking alone and not talking to myself. There was no one within eyesight. So, as a believer, that left me with one plausible explanation...
Having done several Caminos, I feel I can make the Sarria - Santiago route as comfortable and painless for mom as can be done. When she feels she is up to it, we will make the stroll together. It is one time that using daily baggage transport makes sense. I know she wants to do it. It is just a matter of when.
Thanks for sharing your story. It is compelling.
When we were walking 3 years ago there was a lovely Canadian lady, aged over 80, who said she walks each year from Sarria to Santiago. Shortest day 2kms, longest day 8kms because of distance to accomodation. She used private accomodation and presumably bag transport and took about 5 weeks to cover the distance others do in 5 days. She said it 'kept her in touch with the Camino'. At the same time there was a 90 year old lady on the Camino. Your Mum would be in good company.......... I have made my mom an offer to do the last 111 km from Sarria into Santiago. She is 82, has a replacement knee, and seem to always be complaining of one joint affliction or another. Yes, I know this comes with the territory as one ages. I am 62 and have chronic knee problems, plus other conditions. Despite her perceived condition, mom walks faster than me on level ground. ............
I was also one of those August arrivals and I can understand your angst. The final 100 km can be quite a different for every pilgrim, some revel in the newly found companionship and sharing their mature experience with newly minted pilgrims while others abhor the crowds of the "incredibly rude new pilgrims".I'm one of the August 2015 arrivals.
And it pains me to admit it, I walked from SJPP and my camino took a serious downturn after Sarria as I was frequently woken by incredibly rude new pilgrims who would turn lights on in dorms and set multiple alarms and hit snooze over and over, shout and laugh until 1am. Walking in a long line of people just completely changed my internal and external camino. I felt absolutely nothing arriving into Santiago but luckily had my 'arrival' in O Cebreiro which was above the clouds and utterly mystical and beautiful and obviously a much harder climb with a sense of achievement at the top.
I just races into Santiago to get finished with the crowds, the walk was still enjoyable but the feeling of the walk, despite gorgeous Galicia, simply changed and for me, for the worse. I tried but failed not to judge or become irritated with Sarria pilgrims. :/
You are very welcome .. I am glad to here you are a fellow believer and you understand what I am saying about God telling me to come to the Camino Also I think it is awesome your mom at the age of 82 wants to do it with you, ... I am not sure that age is as much a factor on walking the Camino as a persons physical and mental strength is,,,, But I would make sure she gets a good check up with the doctor first ... I am 68 and will be 69 shortly My son is 43 he unlike me is in good shape and strong thank the Lord ; I have RA, spinal myelopathy , no cartaledge in either of my knees and was told sometime ago I needed knee replacements but haven't done it .. surprisingly they seem to be a lot better once I went off all the arthritis meds. I also have Kidney impairment, this can make me tired to the extreme and I have other health issues all combined it can make it hard to any thing .. For ten years I used a walker to help me get around but two years ago I bought some walking poles and with some help from a friend I managed to do more walking but still only for short distances ,,On the Camino I wore a leg brace, ankle / foot brace, wrist braces and a neck brace, and my walking poles and I pulled my back pack in a cart instead of carrying it, I would love to have done more on the Camino but I did what was my limit and what I thought God was telling me even though it looked impossible, I enjoyed every minute ; maybe it was mostly because it gave me some time with my son; When I left my Kidney doctor was concerned as my kidneys were not doing well and had dropped a lot but when I got home my doctors were shocked as my kidneys had improved big time I do hope you and your mom have as Wonderful a Camino as I and my son did I am sure it will be a real blessing to the both of you God Bless both of you
Buen Camino
@fraluchi , can you get your hands on the number starting IN SJPP, to compare those to arrivals and fet a sense of numbers of people who do it in bits? As for the increase from Sarria, lazy buggers on a quest for a certificate
Honey, I have never raced my Caminos nor have I been collecting compostelas. I'm a 20 km a day walker. The question I was asking is to get a sense of who is walking long distances in chunks, in part due of time limitations. There is such a thing a tongue and cheek, but perhaps you lost your humour along the way.One day you may learn that the Camino is not a competition and the Compostela is not a trophy.
Georgina - I am awed by your perseverance and spunk! Good for you! I admire you. Bless your son for being so thoughtful and helpful to help you realize this accomplishment!
My menisci are also nearly gone from being trimmed (both knees, both sides) from several decades of being morbidly obese. Having lost 45 Kg 20 years ago, I am maintain my weight at "big boy" level. I always walk with poles too, as I know they can transfer up to 25 percent of the rucksack weight to your arms instead of your knees. Also, they were a HUGE help on the downhill sections. Still, I have knee pain when I walk a Camino with a rucksack. But I stubbornly decline to use mochila transport services.
I used elastic knee braces for my three Caminos. However this past April, I started taking a nutritional supplement, despite my doctor telling me there were no definitive medical tests establishing its effectiveness. I take Glucosamine with Chondroitin. While it might not work for others, it seems to work for me. About one month after starting to take this daily supplement, all discomfort from my knees stopped. I also stopped having shoulder and wrist pain (inherited arthritis). My doctor just shrugs his shoulders and says, if it does not harm you medically, go ahead and continue to use it.
When I worked in Santiago this past July and August as a volunteer at the Pilgrim Office, my daily duties involved being on my feet for six or more hours, seven days a week, working the queues and helping out wherever and however needed. Throughout the entire month and afterwards, I had no pain, swelling or discomfort. My logical conclusion is that the Glucosamine and Chondroitin works - for me. So, until one doctor or another says to stop using it, I shall continue to use it.
If we appropriately ask "The Boss" for something, we may find that we get what He feels we need, not necessarily what we ask for. Remember, the Camino provides.
I hope this helps.
You are very kind. Thank you.
Being retired, my time is my mostly own. The only two limiting factors in my willingness to volunteer more or for longer periods of time are:
The folks in charge at the pilgrim office already asked me to come for "the season" in 2016. I had to invoke both limiting factor / restrictions to beg off. But I did promise to come back to help for at least one month in 2016. Actually, I am going to try to do two, month-long sessions, split with a Camino. But, I must wait until I am moved and unpacked in Florida (wife inspired move) before making any 2016 plans.
- needing a long stay visa (non EU nationals can only remain in the Schengen Zone for 90 days within a six-month period); and
- a patient and understanding wife who tends to draw a line at a six-week absence.
The first year I volunteered, I had barely Camino Spanish (survival level stuff). This year, I had basic phrases and could actually get the gist of of a conversation I was listening to.
I did promise to try to improve my Spanish. Oddly, my Dutch is better than my Spanish, and my French has gotten very rusty. I lived near Antwerp for two years and learned to speak Dutch so I could communicate with my 5-year old "nephew." Next year (2016-17), I hope to participate more. I am working up to a proficiency that would allow me to work at the counter interviewing arriving pilgrims and writing Compostelas.
If pilgrims would only stick to a script, answering standard questions, I could likely do it now, and in multiple languages. But, have you ever tried to speak conversationally to a person speaking a Latin-language? They all tend to go off-script, all the time. I admit to doing it too. So, I must study more and try to find someone here who can help me develop conversational skills. It will be easier to find such a person or class once I get to Florida.
That said, I was told I was welcome to return anytime. That came as a very welcome and pleasant surprise, especially as it was made by Don Segundo personally. You know, he is the signature on all the Compostelas. Gee, I hope I understood correctly? He speaks no English, and my Spanish, well, like Leonardo da Vinci's "Renaissance Man," let's just say I am a work in progress...
All said, if it were in my ability to do so, I would obtain the visa and rent a flat in Santiago as soon as possible, becoming another ex-pat. But, I have responsibilities here...(sigh)
Life, outside the Camino will pass...then I will be made whole again...yippee!
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