Richard A Stead
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino France's (2016) Portuguese 2017
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Sorry but that sounds slightly superior. A Compostela is not important to me but being able to attend mass is without massive queues and cameras flashing away during the service is. Why should you assume that because I ask for these simple rewards after a pilgrimage of hundreds of miles what I feel inside is less than what you feel inside ?Sorry you felt that way about the Pilgrims Mass. I had a very different experience though there were lots of tourist groups when I was there. I guess it has more to do with what happens inside you than what happens around you.
what I feel inside is less than what you feel inside ?
I know what you mean, it seems like that mass is more for entertainment value than anything else. I don't know if I would wait two hours to see a gigantic swinging incense burner even though I am a devout Catholic. I don't go to mass to be entertained,i have just finished my Camino Portuguese. Last year I did SJ P du P to Santiago and wanted something perhaps a little quieter however turned out not to be the case . Just as busy with fewer beds.
I guess my major problem however is Santiago itself. I didn't bother getting a Compostela as it meant queuing for 2 hours but the most disappointing thing was the pilgrims service. Despite arriving at 11am there was a queue stretching around the square mainly with group leaders ( follow me sticks ) and it seems dreadful that having walked hundreds of miles pilgrims are taking their chances with bus loads of tourists many of whom apppear to be only there to take photographs. Sure it is time to allow genuine arriving pilgrims to take their place before opening the pilgrim service to day trippers . This will be my last Camino as I think Santiago Caminos have turned into a tourist industry . A different destination if I do another.
If possible, perhaps you might try a spring hike. I hiked CF in May, 2014 and the Portuguese route in May, 2016. No crowds on the Camino nor in Santiago and the weather was great.i have just finished my Camino Portuguese. Last year I did SJ P du P to Santiago and wanted something perhaps a little quieter however turned out not to be the case . Just as busy with fewer beds.
I guess my major problem however is Santiago itself. I didn't bother getting a Compostela as it meant queuing for 2 hours but the most disappointing thing was the pilgrims service. Despite arriving at 11am there was a queue stretching around the square mainly with group leaders ( follow me sticks ) and it seems dreadful that having walked hundreds of miles pilgrims are taking their chances with bus loads of tourists many of whom apppear to be only there to take photographs. Sure it is time to allow genuine arriving pilgrims to take their place before opening the pilgrim service to day trippers . This will be my last Camino as I think Santiago Caminos have turned into a tourist industry . A different destination if I do another.
You are so right! I'm leaving for France in a few days, then on to Spain. Last year, I was in Spain in April. It was cold and wet on a few days, but that's why we buy merino wool and raingear, right?If possible, perhaps you might try a spring hike. I hiked CF in May, 2014 and the Portuguese route in May, 2016. No crowds on the Camino nor in Santiago and the weather was great.
Couldn't agree more. I'm in Finisterre after starting in Lisbon and I'm glad it's over. No more Caminos for me and if I stay in another albergue it will be too sooni have just finished my Camino Portuguese. Last year I did SJ P du P to Santiago and wanted something perhaps a little quieter however turned out not to be the case . Just as busy with fewer beds.
I guess my major problem however is Santiago itself. I didn't bother getting a Compostela as it meant queuing for 2 hours but the most disappointing thing was the pilgrims service. Despite arriving at 11am there was a queue stretching around the square mainly with group leaders ( follow me sticks ) and it seems dreadful that having walked hundreds of miles pilgrims are taking their chances with bus loads of tourists many of whom apppear to be only there to take photographs. Sure it is time to allow genuine arriving pilgrims to take their place before opening the pilgrim service to day trippers . This will be my last Camino as I think Santiago Caminos have turned into a tourist industry . A different destination if I do another.
Here is a photo of the queue for the noon pilgrim's mass which I missed as I was still standing in the line at about 1 pm unfortunately.
Santiago has turned into a major tourist attraction which is fabulous for this City. I walked the Portuguese in August 2016 and found the track deserted from Lisbon to Porto. From then on it was busy. I think these days the main sections have to be walked in the off season or shoulder seasons early spring or late autumn.i have just finished my Camino Portuguese. Last year I did SJ P du P to Santiago and wanted something perhaps a little quieter however turned out not to be the case . Just as busy with fewer beds.
I guess my major problem however is Santiago itself. I didn't bother getting a Compostela as it meant queuing for 2 hours but the most disappointing thing was the pilgrims service. Despite arriving at 11am there was a queue stretching around the square mainly with group leaders ( follow me sticks ) and it seems dreadful that having walked hundreds of miles pilgrims are taking their chances with bus loads of tourists many of whom apppear to be only there to take photographs. Sure it is time to allow genuine arriving pilgrims to take their place before opening the pilgrim service to day trippers . This will be my last Camino as I think Santiago Caminos have turned into a tourist industry . A different destination if I do another.
Couldn't agree more. I'm in Finisterre after starting in Lisbon and I'm glad it's over. No more Caminos for me and if I stay in another albergue it will be too soon
You're welcome to your way. I'll have it my way. I'm entitled to my opinion. How dare I criticise the Camino.Have it your way! ... I'll have it my way
Maybe we can charge them to watch us!I just got an Back Roads Adventure Tour Guide book -- they have a "Taste of the Camino" trip-- starting in Porto. 5 days in posh hotels, you can walk a few hours each day, AND you get to watch the pilgrims in Santiago.
Fully agree with your sentiments, I walked the way of St James in 2015, and I felt then that the Camino is now a victim of its own success and the film, however the most disappointing thing for me was pilgrims mass being invaded by tourists who did not have the first idea how much walking the way means to people and to sit in what should be silent contenplation for your safe arrival, to have it spoilt I felt was wrongSorry but that sounds slightly superior. A Compostela is not important to me but being able to attend mass is without massive queues and cameras flashing away during the service is. Why should you assume that because I ask for these simple rewards after a pilgrimage of hundreds of miles what I feel inside is less than what you feel inside ?
Ten to twenty times as many "tourists" visit the Cathedral as receive compostelas. Santiago tourism is 5 to 15 million visitors per year. Until criteria were established for a compostela, every one of them could get the compostela. Millions visited back when only a few thousand walked the Camino. It is easy to fall into the trap that walking/biking/riding pilgrims have a claim on the mass that is superior to "tourists."was pilgrims mass being invaded by tourists
That is a whole lot of people. Personally I would go back to the Albergue/refugio/hotel have a cold adult beverage or a siesta and wait for the evening. Having said that is also neat to be there and feel the excitement around you, all those people enjoying just being there soaking up the spirit or soul which this place represents. No judging or wandering who is whom and how they arrived, just love the place for what it is. SDC is more than the cathedral, there is much to see, enjoy and learn.
... Despite arriving at 11am there was a queue stretching around the square mainly with group leaders ( follow me sticks ) and it seems dreadful that having walked hundreds of miles pilgrims are taking their chances with bus loads of tourists many of whom apppear to be only there to take photographs....
... You will have been in the habit of getting up early on the Camino, so go to mass early, visit the tumb of St. James then on to the pilgrim Office for your compostela and then you will really enjoy your breakfast .
When I first read this I thought your wrote "we are at church", but then I re read it and appreciated you more profound meaning. I have a great interest in old buildings, in part due to coming from a young country that doesn't have many... those that we do have are at risk of crashing down in earthquakes. But I generally find I am able to satisfy my interest from examination of the exterior and avoid going into ones that are functioning churches. No one likes to be gawped at, especially when they are trying to spend quiet reflective time at the end of a meaningful journey. I was pretty taken aback on recent visits to Santiago when people pull at you and try and pose with the "pilgrims" like we are some kind of photo op. So I can understand the frustration and grumpiness of the OP.The cathedral is just an interesting old building. We are the church.
We are thinking about doing this walk, in Japan, in 2019. What time of year did you go and which part did walk. How many days. Is there any books or information about the walkSantiago has turned into a major tourist attraction which is fabulous for this City. I walked the Portuguese in August 2016 and found the track deserted from Lisbon to Porto. From then on it was busy. I think these days the main sections have to be walked in the off season or shoulder seasons early spring or late autumn.
This year I flew to Japan and trekked the Kumino Kodo which is a 2,000 year old Buddhist pilgrimage. It's mostly mountains but absolutely breathtaking in this world heritage region.
Debates about"true pilgrims" only go in one direction and that is quickly downhill. We haven't had to close a thread recently and it would be nice if that trend could continue for a while.
But for @Richard A Stead I do have a couple of suggestions. There are so many solitary and wonderful Caminos in Spain, and if that's what you're looking for, you have plenty of choices. Try the Levante, Olvidado, Castellano-Aragonés, St Jaume/Catalan, Ebro, San Olaf, invierno, Vadiniense and probably others that I have forgotten. I am pretty sure you will be happy with them all.
Thank you for this list of less-busy choices. My wife and I walked from Santander last month and I was surprised by the number of pilgrims and the shortage of beds in albergues. (What really surprised me, though, were the reports of bedbugs in a few of the albergues.) For our next camino, I'll try to gather information on the sites you've mentioned. Thank you! Lee Cameron
PS Would you let me know how to post a private message, please. It wasn't really my intention that this message be broadcast. Thanks!
Hi,We are thinking about doing this walk, in Japan, in 2019. What time of year did you go and which part did walk. How many days. Is there any books or information about the walk
I was following a person I met in Sydney who walked the camino Frances and she was with a large group of Pilgrims the entire journey. The posts were fabulous as she was having a blast of a time but it was more like a walking vacation. Don’t get me wrong, that’s cool. For me walking a camino is a spiritual journey not a social walk. I like to spend time alone to think, revalue my life ect. Each day on my Camino’s in Spain or Portugal I would try and visit an old church in the country side. Even today with the Camino’s being crowded I would still enjoy the experience but would walk in early spring or late autumn. Each to their own.Have it your way! ... I'll have it my way
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