The Pipers

[JohnLloyd]

Am I alone in wishing that there wasn’t a continuous piping performance in the Cathedral square?

Half an hour on, half an hour off, perhaps,

 

[Anamiri]

Yes they were a surprise (My family of Scots origin).
They brought tears of emotion to my eyes

 

[KinkyOne]

Bagpipes are Galician traditional instrument. And piping in the arch is also a tradition although I don't know how old. Some time ago I remember there was a debate that (I don't know who exactly) they wanted to end this but the response was so fierce that they only narrowed the daily time frame I think.

I came through that arch a few times and have been at Praca do Obradoiro also more than a couple of times for several hours and for me this is part of it. I think it would be kind of sad and empty without it.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Half an hour on, half an hour off, perhaps,

No play, no pay.

 

[VNwalking]

Am I alone in wishing that there wasn’t a continuous piping performance in the Cathedral square?

Perhaps. It's just part of the scene.
(Edit. Full disclosure: I (mostly) like them, especially when I am walking into the Plaza at the end of a camino. And since there are people arriving all the time........)

 

[Pelegrin]

Yes they were a surprise (My family of Scots origin).
They brought tears of emotion to my eyes

I am Galician and I felt the same after finishing my first Camino.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I love them. You can also book a hotel further away from the center

 

[JohnLloyd]

It’s clear that I’m in a minority!

I’d have liked a few minutes of quiet every now and then, but I also appreciate the significance of the pipers too.

 

[JohnJocys]

They're wonderful and a part of the local traditional music scene - to be encouraged.
It's such a shame that England so often turns it's back on it's rich music, song and dance traditions, unlike Scotland, Ireland and Wales - and Galicia of course.

 

[Former member 81810]

Finished my first Camino on Monday. Research had been that I would hear pipes as got near the end so when I heard piper the emotions started, all those months of preparation, wondering when I actually started would my body make it, to know I was then v close. To then walk past piper, to come out the end of the tunnel and turn left and see the cathedral in all its majesty and beauty and to know you have made it is something that will be with me for ever. The piper was part of it and I would want piper to remain in hope that others could have similar experience. I am glad I took video of that final part, including piper, so can relive the final steps in the future both the sound and seeing the cathedral.

 

[Lunchmeat337]

I sometimes walk through the tunnel several times a day and enjoy the pipes.

 

[timr]

Although I often find the world an overly noisy place, I'm 100% in favour of the bagpipes here, night and day.
I've written before about my excitement at being woken by the bin lorry in Langres on the Via Francigena after weeks of birdsong!

 

[J F Gregory]

as an amateur piper I enjoyed the pipes but more so the lady who sang opera. I could have set on the steps all day and listened to her. I purchased her CD and play it regularly.

 

[Albertagirl]

Am I alone in wishing that there wasn’t a continuous piping performance in the Cathedral square?

Half an hour on, half an hour off, perhaps,

@JohnLloyd
Before I walked my first camino I had read posts about persons who had unpleasant interactions with a piper in that location. As I remember one such post, someone who had taken a photo of the piper had been verbally attacked for not leaving a tip. I was so uncomfortable with the tone of such interactions and the apparent hostility of the piper towards ungenerous pilgrims that I did not want to go through that tunnel when in Santiago. I started to listen for the piper and take another way around when I heard him. I still do so and may only have been through the tunnel once during the several times that I stayed in San Martin Pinario near the entrance of the tunnel. I suspect that I feel as if the tunnel is a way for buskers to lie in wait for passers by, and I instinctively avoid it as possibly dangerous. By the way, I have always enjoyed piping, although perhaps less so in recent years.

 

[Mark Barnes]

I love the pipes! It is expected and part of the experience.

 

[John Crawford Howell]

The memory of the Gaitero playing in a small open area near a stream in Galicia is enduring. It was surprising and magical simultaneously.

 

[Deleted member 83944]

@Albertagirl it's not one piper it's loads of different ones. They have a busking rota made by the council. I think there was only one who was mean to pilgrims.

 

[SeaHorse]

Considering that Lloyds is a Celtic (Welsh) surname and you want to stop the traditional Celtic music it makes me think how far the modern people have gone from their roots. Sad.

 

[Anniesantiago]

as an amateur piper I enjoyed the pipes but more so the lady who sang opera. I could have set on the steps all day and listened to her. I purchased her CD and play it regularly.

Yes, I also have enjoyed the opera singer(s)

Busking is common in that square and around it.
Most people quite enjoy it.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Am I alone in wishing that there wasn’t a continuous piping performance in the Cathedral square?

Half an hour on, half an hour off, perhaps,

As a wearer of hearing aids I can well do without them at all - also, as a Sassanch, it's an awful row at the best of times