What would Don Elias say?

[Bradypus]

In an article in El Correo Gallego the niece of Don Elías Valiña Sampedro comments on his unique contribution to the revival of interest in the Caminos and also his work in bringing prosperity to his parish of O Cebreiro. She ends with the following comment (in Google Translate English):

"Unfortunately, the priest could not see the result of his work. According to his niece "he would have loved to see the fruit of his enormous effort and he would be very happy", however, she warns: "He would not like the attitude of some pilgrims, especially in summer, who banalizes the Jacobean itinerary".
"Por desgracia, el cura no pudo ver el resultado de su obra. Según su sobrina "le hubiera encantado comprobar el fruto de su enorme esfuerzo y estaría muy contento", ahora bien, advierte: "No le gustaría la actitud de algunos peregrinos, sobre todo en verano, que banaliza el itinerario jacobeo".

Pilar Valiña, la primera emoción del Camino en tierras gallegas

Pilar Valiña regenta en O Cebreiro, punto de entrada del Camino Francés en Galicia, la hospedería San Giraldo de Aurillac y la casa rural Valiña. Es s...

www.elcorreogallego.es

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

In an article in El Correo Gallego the niece of Don Elías Valiña Sampedro comments on his unique contribution to the revival of interest in the Caminos and also his work in bringing prosperity to his parish of O Cebreiro. She ends with the following comment (in Google Translate English):

"Unfortunately, the priest could not see the result of his work. According to his niece "he would have loved to see the fruit of his enormous effort and he would be very happy", however, she warns: "He would not like the attitude of some pilgrims, especially in summer, who banalizes the Jacobean itinerary".
"Por desgracia, el cura no pudo ver el resultado de su obra. Según su sobrina "le hubiera encantado comprobar el fruto de su enorme esfuerzo y estaría muy contento", ahora bien, advierte: "No le gustaría la actitud de algunos peregrinos, sobre todo en verano, que banaliza el itinerario jacobeo".

Pilar Valiña, la primera emoción del Camino en tierras gallegas

Pilar Valiña regenta en O Cebreiro, punto de entrada del Camino Francés en Galicia, la hospedería San Giraldo de Aurillac y la casa rural Valiña. Es s...

www.elcorreogallego.es

Mick Jagger would say: 'You can't always get what you want'

 

[VNwalking]

Yeah. We don't like it much either.
Hence all the agro and complaining about tourigrinos...and the long discussions about authenticity and what it is to be a pilgrim, real or otherwise.

 

[t2andreo]

But, in the end, we must ALL just suck it up and find our own personal coping mechanisms. The Camino will be what it will be.

My view is to continue to develop more and more routes less traveled, that comport with the original spirit of the Camino, follow or closely parallel historic routings, and provide an optimum Camino experience, without all the creeping commercialism that secular popularity brings. Some infrastructure is nice, but too much is.... well...too much...

In other words, we Camino veterans, ought to patronize Camino routes like the Invierno, de la Plata, Norte, and other "less commercially viable" routes. That preserves our appreciation for the Camino and spreads some of the wealth around.

I, for one, have looked at the Big Map of Camino routes across Spain, and noted that there are many more routes available to walk, than I have years of vertical mobility remaining in my life. So many routes, so little time...

It's all good!

 

[KinkyOne]

But, in the end, we must ALL just suck it up and find our own personal coping mechanisms. The Camino will be what it will be.

My view is to continue to develop more and more routes less traveled, that comport with the original spirit of the Camino, follow or closely parallel historic routings, and provide an optimum Camino experience, without all the creeping commercialism that secular popularity brings. Some infrastructure is nice, but too much is.... well...too much...

In other words, we Camino veterans, ought to patronize Camino routes like the Invierno, de la Plata, Norte, and other "less commercially viable" routes. That preserves our appreciation for the Camino and spreads some of the wealth around.

I, for one, have looked at the Big Map of Camino routes across Spain, and noted that there are many more routes available to walk, than I have years of vertical mobility remaining in my life. So many routes, so little time...

It's all good!

Can't remember in which thread I posted the list but I counted more than 50 Caminos (without GRs!!!) on Iberian Peninsula.
Of course if you would want to end in SdC you'd have to walk different combos.

 

[lt56ny]

But, in the end, we must ALL just suck it up and find our own personal coping mechanisms. The Camino will be what it will be.

My view is to continue to develop more and more routes less traveled, that comport with the original spirit of the Camino, follow or closely parallel historic routings, and provide an optimum Camino experience, without all the creeping commercialism that secular popularity brings. Some infrastructure is nice, but too much is.... well...too much...

In other words, we Camino veterans, ought to patronize Camino routes like the Invierno, de la Plata, Norte, and other "less commercially viable" routes. That preserves our appreciation for the Camino and spreads some of the wealth around.

I, for one, have looked at the Big Map of Camino routes across Spain, and noted that there are many more routes available to walk, than I have years of vertical mobility remaining in my life. So many routes, so little time...

It's all good!

I for one hope that the other less traveled routes do not get too developed. Walked from Le Puy in 2014 and it was great! It was a dramatic change when I got to SJPP in late September but not too bad. It was dramatic only because of the solitude in France. I am sure it is much more crowded now. I walked the Portuguese 2 years ago and thought it was getting a little crowded. I started in late September. Started the same time last year on the Norte and never felt a crush or a rush. After the split with the Primitivo lots of nights you could hear a pin drop in the albergues. This year I walk the CF but I am starting in November. My next camino will be the VDLP. I have the luxury of retirement and walking when I want but I sure hope the less traveled camino remain that way. A little selfish I guess.