The forum, 20 years on.

[Kirkie]

I can imagine that Ivar might wonder how the years have galloped by since he devised the project that 20 years ago became the Forum. It is of course a tribute to original values and ensuing adaptations that the standards have been maintained and updated in the rapidly changing context of 'The Camino to Santiago'.
Congratulations, Ivar and team.
Thank you to past moderators, as well as those currently serving.
I came across the forum when I began to research what The Camino might entail, in 2005/2006.
Looking again now at the statement of intent, the reason for the existence of the forum, I think it is commendable that it has survived the rise and growth of many online sources of information, fora, with less stringent rules. I suppose that is why it is still here!
There has to be a time for slipping out and away, in order to allow new members to find their place and make their mark on the forum. I did not join till probably about 2014, although there was a brief blip that belies that date, but in that time, I recall some members I miss a lot.
I would just like to take this opportunity to honour those pioneers, and welcome memories to inspire new pilgrims with tales of what was current and important in years gone by.
I am not going to name any members who no longer post, I just want to share my appreciation for their contributions. Wherever they may be on their pilgrimage!
For current and future pilgrims, buen camino.

 

[ivar]

Thank you for this... and to all of you that makes this a good place to be. I always say that it is all of you that make this forum what it is...

Here is my first post on the forum from October 2004. I was user #1, all alone... it was a forum with 1 user and I posted this:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/forum-introduction.12523/

Who would have thought that 20 years later I would still be running this. So lucky.

All the best,
Ivar

 

[timr]

Thank you for this... and to all of you that makes this a good place to be. I always say that it is all of you that make this forum what it is...

Here is my first post on the forum from October 2004. I was user #1, all alone... it was a forum with 1 user and I posted this:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/forum-introduction.12523/

Who would have thought that 20 years later I would still be running this. So lucky.

All the best,
Ivar

How strange.....and nice! Only a few days ago I was wondering was it possible to see post #1..... and there it is!

 

[Dave]

February 3, 2006 for me. And ever since, the first place I go online to read about the Camino. Thanks for all of your work Ivar and the mods!

 

[HeidiL]

I joined the forum in February 13, 2005. When my husband, our son and I walked in to Santiago at Easter in 2005, we bought Ivar a drink in a bar. If that happened nowadays for all the arriving pilgrims, Ivar's health would be very, very bad...

 

[timr]

@ivar
I remember in 2009 Ivar's 'office' was on the right as you came towards the Cathedral on 'final approach'. The Camino Travel Centre? I posted on some 'stuff' there and also Ivar booked me into the 25 Julio hotel in SdC - I didn't know the significance of the date at that time - and also a hotel in Finisterre and arranged car hire with a local company! (I had a little jaunt at the end .)
It feels both a long time ago and like yesterday.

 

[David Tallan]

Thank you for this... and to all of you that makes this a good place to be. I always say that it is all of you that make this forum what it is...

Here is my first post on the forum from October 2004. I was user #1, all alone... it was a forum with 1 user and I posted this:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/forum-introduction.12523/

Who would have thought that 20 years later I would still be running this. So lucky.

All the best,
Ivar

Interesting, initially the site was not so much about the path as the destination. That has changed somewhat. And from the very first post there was a distinction made between "tourists" and "pilgrims". But Ivar was clear that the distinction was not prejudicial. The forum is for all.

 

[mspath]

Congratulations Ivar!
What a wonderful achievement this is!

Since November 25, 2009, when I joined participating in this unique effort has been part of my daily life.

One of the strengths of the forum has always been the importance of sharing. Tips and memories from/to scores of other readers, both known and unknown, pass through this community of digital acquaintances.
Long may it be so.
...Ultreia!

 

[Saint Mike II]

I think I have been both a forum member and donor for around 12 or 13 years. I support the comments about how much we value Ivar. He is a one man band but plays a very successful tune,. Thanks for all the work and big congrats on 20; of service to the Camino. Maybe one of the Camino Fraternities should give some long service award! Cheers

 

[JabbaPapa]

I joined in July 2005, just before heading off on my 2005 Home to Santiago, and 3rd Camino.

My first post was some advice to a prospective pilgrim, of my typical "start from further away than SJPP" sort ...

 

[LeoC]

I just joined a few months ago and I am now in the middle of My Short Camino starting in Saint Jean de Luz and ending in Bilbao. So far my wife and I are really enjoying it. Gronze maps on my iPhone has helped to make this trip stress free. Gronze shows me alternate routes on the Norte and I find these alternates challenging, but the views are very rewarding. The tips and advice from others has been super helpful.

Thank You Ivar for creating this excellent resource for everyone to use.

 

[LTfit]

@ivar
I remember in 2009 Ivar's 'office' was on the right as you came towards the Cathedral on 'final approach'. The Camino Travel Centre?

That's correct. After my first Camino July 2010 I stopped by the office but Ivar wasn't in. I finally did meet him years later at his previous location.

I too have visited the Forum almost daily over the past 14 years and even had a short stint as a Moderator.

Many members have come and gone but there is still a great group of members and Moderators. Congratulations!

 

[VNwalking]

Thank you, Ivar!
We are a community thanks to you.
How good is that?!

 

[William Garza]

1,000 ,2,000 years from now...web archeologists will learn and see what Camino Culture..people, were like,did and experienced on the Way.

Names will be found
Adventures be had
Pictures of what the ancient culture were like

Humanity among disparate cultures drawn together.
One question will be.
Ivar posted first...who answered first?

 

[caminka]

I had to go and look, and saw that I joined at the start of 2011. That would have been when I was preparing my long camino from home.
I am not here every day and I have long(er) periods when my other life takes over, but I always enjoy browsing through threads, finding tips and curiosa, and reading about people's adventures.
Thank you, Ivar.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Ivar posted first...who answered first?

The first non-Ivar post I found was post #6 on thread #6 titled "Thanks". It was posted by @Pilgrim who joined October 12, 2004 (but hasn't been seen since 2007).

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/thanks.6/#post-6

I couldn't find threads 1 and 2. Ivar had post #3 in thread #3, post #4 in thread #4 and post #5 in thread #5.

This is post #1,263,694 in thread #87,264.

 

[Kirkie]

The first non-Ivar post I found was post #6 on thread #6 titled "Thanks". It was posted by @Pilgrim who joined October 12, 2004 (but hasn't been seen since 2007).

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/thanks.6/#post-6

I couldn't find threads 1 and 2. Ivar had post #3 in thread #3, post #4 in thread #4 and post #5 in thread #5.

This is post #1263694 in thread #87264.

Rick, you excel! A pile of bouquets ought to be winging their way to you!
here you have a few...
Gosh! I can't get the emojis to work. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact I needed to deal with compromised passwords - long story, won't elaborate.
something from the CP will do...

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Ivar posted first...who answered first?

As I mentioned above that would be @Pilgrim, user #4, but I got curious as to who is the oldest active member. That would be @sillydoll, user #8, who posted the following a few days ago:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/a-call-for-regulation-or-permit-on-the-frances.87174/page-2#post-1262647