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Nothing changes in heaven and earth - especially on the Camino!
Yesterday was in the top four days ever for the issuance of compostelas.
In tiny Costa Rica the Es TV is having, since a few weeks, a series on the Camino de Santiago on Tuesdays. From many quarters I hear about people having visited, or planning to visit, the Camino in Spain. As tourists, not on a pilgrimage.[...]What these numbers do NOT reflect however, is the huge surge in Santiago de Compostela as a tourist destination. My evidence is based on empirical observation while I was there for a month working at the Pilgrim Office. My overall impression is that there are far more and larger groups of tourists in the city than in prior years. They are even getting groups from cruise ships docked at Vigo.[...]
And I would then add long distance walkers.I'd qualify that @JohnnieWalker by saying "walking pilgrims"! I've met lots who I would classify as pilgrims but who come with vehicle support. With a vehicle it is not so important to be physically close to the centre. Last time I was in Santiago with a car we stayed in the camping site at As Cancelas.
And here I was sure I had put aHow do you define a "long distance walker"? And what about 88 year old Erika, who only walks the last 100km, at the rate of about 8km a day, with arthritis, genuinely believes in the pilgrimage, is kind and gentle and wonderfully helpful and friendly to everyone she meets? I'd give her bed space anytime in preference to a fit young aggressive self-centered person who has walked from northern Europe!
This raises the question as to whether any institution in Santiago is able to define, comprehensively, the (unsatisfied) priority needs of today’s pilgrims. Would it not mean to argue (again) about who is a pilgrim, which kind of needs are to be met, where and when, consider short and long-term alternatives and, ultimately, pinpoint potential investors?[...]It is a strange thing to say but I think Santiago has to start prioritising the needs of pilgrims!
Perhaps it is selfish to keep coming back.
On both caminos 1 and 2 I sometimes shared hotel/pension rooms with pilgrims I had just met...When I walk with my husband, or a friend, we get rooms in hotels or pensions, because we can share the cost, but walking alone? Too expensive.
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As I said, I'm not sure of the solution but to answer Johnny's suggestion, I don't think the private albergues should have to bear the responsibility of housing poor pilgrims when the original plan was not to have more than one albergue in each city.
Yep - you are right. Just the numbers are a bit short!
Been there, done that. I don't think it is much of a debate among most of us!back to the old gnarly debate of 'Who is a real Pilgrim'
I do agree @sillydoll but I think there are also lots of us who can't afford to stay in hotels every night. When I was working I could, but did not have the time, now I have the time, but only a retirement income. Which I think is the case for a lot of older people.
When I walk with my husband, or a friend, we get rooms in hotels or pensions, because we can share the cost, but walking alone? Too expensive.
Perhaps it is selfish to keep coming back.
I do not feel that I have been monopolising the route and denying others a chance to walk. Are you suggesting that we should never walk the same route twice?
Yup! When I decided 10 days ago to walk next month I thought I would "just check in case" about SDC accommodation. I was amazed to find everywhere in the centre (under 4 *) fully booked! I have kept checking and with great relief I eventually found a room for the two nights I will be there. I have also noticed that the price of rooms has increased significantly in the 5 years I have been visiting SDC. As mentioned above, a room is relatively dearer for a solo traveller. Maybe I should get into the habit of "adopting a pilgrim" along my travels"?Hi - the city remains very busy indeed. Yesterday at different times I met 6 pilgrims who had arrived hoping to find albergue beds only to find all albergues are full. The Seminario Menor has been full by late morning. Even out in San Lazaro the albergues have been full earlier in the day. An option is to stop in Monte de Gozo or to book ahead.
This week has been particularly busy with the Feasts of the Assumption and San Roque and weekends are generally busier in any event.
If you want to a bed in an albergue you should consider booking. The alternative is Booking.com for a hostal/hotel or Airbnb.
Good luck!
John
As mentioned above, a room is relatively dearer for a solo traveller. Maybe I should get into the habit of "adopting a pilgrim" along my travels"?
In a country where no one buys green bananas and the transportation schedules are posted only two to three months in advance, you may be putting too much reliance on accommodations operating their reservation schedule ten months in advance! I think most of them will show "nothing available" in next April until late winter of next year. However, it is good that you found some places to reserve. Buen camino.In two cities I discovered that the albergues I planned to stay in were already full
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