That tourist train at Obradoiro...

[jefferyonthecamino]

Surely there must be a way to get rid of that absurd and fugly tourist train in Obradoiro, or at least get it to park somewhere else.

 

[C clearly]

Yes. I've always wondered why it couldn't at least park off to one side!

 

[scruffy1]

Obradoiro? Tourist train? A guy has to make living no? We also have bagpipes under the arches, often some guy with a didgeridoo not usually an Australian, impromptu student demonstrations, thankfully no souvenir stands touts or huskers, but you can find a rather unusual collection of male models several versions of Saint James, Spanish grandees, I remember once a Templer knight but my favorite?

Haven't seen him for a while and he wasn't getting any younger or heathier last time I did, hope he is well.

 

[Stephen]

"Haven't seen him for a while and he wasn't getting any younger or heathier last time I did, hope he is well."

I think I read that he has died.

 

[scruffy1]

Truly sorry to hear that, he was an institution, perhaps not liked by all but always there. Obradoiro can be quite marvelous, late at night when so few are around, the 1st of May is very festive and revolutionary, Galicia week, never made it for July 25 something for which to plan. A Jewish text relating to Jerusalem and the Temple which was there states, no pilgrim or worshiper from among the throng visiting during a festival or Holy Day ever said "Jerusalem is too cramped for me." The cathedral and Obradoiro can be very crowded but there is room for all.

 

[waveprof]

We also have bagpipes under the arches

Granted the people playing the pipes often aren't Galician, but let us not forget that Galicia is a Celtic nation.

 

[JohnCP43]

Let's lighten up a little! Of all the problems faced on the camino and in the world as a whole the little train is for me a very minor one. There are similar "little trains" in many other places in Europe and can give a wider view of the place than one might see on foot plus some local commentary. Remember too Santiago de Compostela wasn't built for us rather it existed first and we have been blessed to go there (as has the little train). Perhaps next step might be to move the little train and all the smelly pilgrims with their packs with drying clothes hanging off them and their noisy and cumbersome walking sticks out as well. (Yes that's hyperbole). I guess to sum up let's all show some of the kindness, compassion and tolerance we hopefully gained on our pilgrimage to all of God's creations- each other, the bagpipers, souvenir stands and yes, even the "little train."
Buen camino!

 

[gerardcarey]

I went for a ride on it.
When you've got wobbly legs any prospect of a look around town without having to negotiate those cobbled streets on foot is a blessing.
Regds
Gerard

 

[C clearly]

Let's lighten up a little!

You exaggerate the mood of this thread! I think we would all agree with you that "Of all the problems faced on the camino and in the world as a whole the little train is for me a very minor one."

 

[Theatregal]

My first time arriving in Santiago, a little tourist train was the last thing I expected to see as I walked down those steps and into the plaza. Felt odd and out of step with my mood on arriving. My second time arriving in Santiago, seeing the little train made me smile. My third time arriving in Santiago, I looked forward to seeing it along with everything else that is now so familiar and special and diverse and often surprising within that plaza.

 

[Bernard duffy]

Man i so want to get drunk,nick the train and go hellraising round Santiago

 

[Icacos]

Man i so want to get drunk,nick the train and go hellraising round Santiago

You jest, I see. But, seriously, if it ever came to that, what a sad day it would be for the Camino.

 

[Bernard duffy]

You jest, I see. But, seriously, if it ever came to that, what a sad day it would be for the Camino.

Maybe it would lighten the place up a little,where's yer sense of adventure gone lol.

 

[Icacos]

Maybe it would lighten the place up a little,where's yer sense of adventure gone lol.

Okay, Bernard, I see you're feeling mischievous today.

 

[Bernard duffy]

Okay, Bernard, I see you're feeling mischievous today.

Welcome to my world my friend

 

[Icacos]

Welcome to my world my friend

 

[gerardcarey]

Man i so want to get drunk,nick the train and go hellraising round Santiago

I'm coming too!
I'm good at that type of thing!
Don't leave without me!

 

[Bernard duffy]

I'm coming too!
I'm good at that type of thing!
Don't leave without me!

You can be my conductor and work the bell DING DING !!!!

 

[NualaOC]

You can be my conductor and work the bell DING DING !!!!

You're showing your age there Bernard.....

 

[Bernard duffy]

You're showing your age there Bernard.....

You can make the sandwiches

 

[NualaOC]

You can make the sandwiches

Thanks a lot for that great job

 

[Bernard duffy]

Thanks a lot for that great job

What job would you prefer then ????

 

[Mark Lee]

Maybe it would lighten the place up a little,where's yer sense of adventure gone lol.

Heck, I'd help you nick the choo choo. I'll even buy the beer. Let me drive it a bit so I can chase off that Gandhi statue dude in the area.

 

[Mark Lee]

Man i so want to get drunk,nick the train and go hellraising round Santiago

excellent idea.....

 

[Bernard duffy]

Heck, I'd help you nick the choo choo. I'll even buy the beer. Let me drive it a bit so I can chase off that Gandhi statue dude in the area.

Done deal pal

 

[C clearly]

You guys should join the Virtual Camino thread!

 

[Bernard duffy]

You guys should join the Virtual Camino thread!

Oh i thought this was,you mean you lot excist ? :O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KatefromOz]

ok, lead me to your taker, take me to your leader of the Virtual Camino thread..or is that a game someone is playing?

 

[bernhugo]

Tourist train. Have you ever thought of people going to SDC who can't walk (therefore not pilgrims) but would like to see a bit more of the city? Money paid by visitors helps to keep the cathedral and it' s many followers going.
I agree that it could be moved to a side street or somewhere less conspicuous, but then some visitors would never see it as the square is the first place they make for or are taken to.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Tourist train, coaches dropping off passengers at the Reyes Catolicos, souvenir stalls (yes there are at least 2) - welcome back to the real world....... even if it is a bit of a shock after the Camino itself . I do know which I prefer, especially after a more isolated type of Camino but it is all part of being in Santiago along with the crowds of pilgrims etc and using taxi or public transport again. The little train might have been tempting this time, for the sake of our tired feet, if we had not previously walked around Santiago.

 

[Icacos]

ok, lead me to your taker, take me to your leader of the Virtual Camino thread..or is that a game someone is playing?

Can't be sure, but I think the Virtual Camino thread being referred to is https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...ino-walk-this-summer.33892/page-2#post-316446. I haven't been following this particular thread very closely, but I think its adherents are those having a respite in an alternate world ....... much like some members of this thread are temporarily (hopefully ) enjoying.

 

[Bernard duffy]

Can't be sure, but I think the Virtual Camino thread being referred to is https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...ino-walk-this-summer.33892/page-2#post-316446. I haven't been following this particular thread very closely, but I think its adherents are those having a respite in an alternate world ....... much like some members of this thread are temporarily (hopefully ) enjoying.

Oh my virtual friend i sooooo hope we meet one day on the Camino,we are going to have a beer n chiiiiil out

 

[Icacos]

Oh my virtual friend i sooooo hope we meet one day on the Camino,we are going to have a beer n chiiiiil out

We'll do that, and the others can join us! First dibs on driving the train afterwards.

 

[Bernard duffy]

We'll do that, and the others can join us! First dibs on driving the train afterwards.

Done deal

 

[OTH86]

Fabulous thread!! Thanks SO much !