Random pilgrims statistics to chat about on a cold day

[JohnnieWalker]

Pope's visit:
During the week before the Papal visit, 3,425 pilgrims were recieved in the Pilgrims' Office

During the week of the Papal visit 1 - 7 November 2,326 pilgrims were recieved

On the day of the Pope's visit the office was closed in the afternoon due to security - 42 pilgrims were recieved.

.................................................................................................................

Pilgrims travelling in wheel chairs
In 2007 7 Compostelas were issued to pilgrims who travelled using a wheelchair. This rose to 39 in 2008 and a further 39 arrived in 2009. In 2010 49 people have arrived in wheelchairs so far.

....................................................................................................................

Sarria seems to be a summer departure point

In August 15,544 pilgrims set off from Sarria

This number reduced to 7,297 by October

and fell to 675 in the first week of November

 

[hel&scott]

Looks like a number of these people hung around after the visit, when we went through on the 13 November we were surprised at the number waiting in the rain to see Jimmy, the pic below is only a very small section of the line as as we had a time to kill we talked to a number and discovered most were tourists coming to see the apostle, a few had walked the min 100kms to get the holy certificate and only a hardy few actually waking further.

 

[camino07]

Has anyone yet seen a video of the closing of the Holy Door?
Would love to see it.
Cheers
Heather

 

[mikevasey]

Looks like a number of these people hung around after the visit, when we went through on the 13 November we were surprised at the number waiting in the rain to see Jimmy,

I arrived on the 27th nov ,a saturday, just in time for the noon mass, you couldnt move in the cathedral all standing and sitting space was taken. The cues outside were the same as your photo and on the accommodation front everything apart from dorm rooms was hard to come by. I left on monday morning and came back to SDC on tuesday for noon again, the place was dead, it was quite beautiful walking the deserted streets in the rain. I have to try and work it on future caminos to not get there on weekends.

mike

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I watched part of the door closing ceremonies on http://www.crtvg.es, which may have a taped replay available on its website, if you surf around.