Hello to everyone!
I am familiar with this issue and I am very happy I got to see this conversation so then I can shed light on it. First of all, this petition is ABSOLUTELY TRUE. The pictures shown parts of Primitive Route and are completely true. They show the same place, although they were taken in different seasons, but I can truly say this place will not ever be the same even in the same season. I utterly understand it seems UNBELIEVABLE, so then who sees it think of fake news. I wish with all my heart they were fake news. And every single day I wonder how this was/is permitted by UNESCO. FYI more construction works are planned along the Caminos in 2019 by Galician Government.
It is well known in Galicia we have rain most of the year. So I am very sorry for those who do not like to walk on muddy terrain. I guess also those did not like either to walk under the rain. If I can give a piece of advice: walk in summer. No rain, no mud. But let yourself consider that thanks to this rain Galicia is green. Thanks to this rain, Galicia has awesome rivers, waterfalls and magical forest we walk through on our way to Santiago. I could explain here something too to those who think Galicia has lovely spontaneously grown eucalyptus forests. Well, this is not true. I am very sure anyone who is interested in knowing what is going on this can find more information. (Sorry for interrupting here the main point).
To our surprise, the path shown was paved in September 2018 and it had no problem of muddy terrain at winter. We also know that when more pilgrims come to Santiago is in summer and we all know walking on pavement boil our feet.I don’t think that gravel, cement and graded aggregates could ease our feet and, to tell the truth, either our soul.
So apart from mud, why a path heritage has been destroyed? Re constructing a new one over it? Building ditches, sidewalks, alteration and gradient change?
Walking the same old paths others did since medieval times, the Jacobean roots that have been preserved for over 1200 years, integrating an exceptional natural landscape and material and immaterial heritage. Through those paths we are led to thousand years old graves, ancient hospitals, cathedrals, churches, monasteries, commemorative crosses, medieval bridges, Roman walls… It is History and paths are the connection among them.
Those who SIGNED THE PETITION received more real pictures. I attach some more here, just to those who are not really convinced this is true. And to be honest, those who are not familiar with the territory, arrive first time and everything seems wonderful. They think they are walking the historic itinerary. Pilgrims do not know the History of the locations they walk through. They were told just walk and get to Santiago. Dont care about anything else. Sad, very sad, from my opinion.
Lastly, and sorry for this long letter, I would like to mention politicians are saying this means "making positive improvements for pilgrimage". Full of hypocrisy. I never was such amazed by the category of our politicians.
FORO DO CAMIÑO PRIMITIVO is the platform that represents 30 organizations and experts on the Camino. They had lauched this petition and are taking this very serious. I wish all associations of the Camino would join for real and make pressure together. Now is the time to defend the Camino, not labeled with "Association of...".
If anyone is here able to help somehow, please feel free! All the best to everyone.
Leila.
PS. Farmers are not involved here. Tour groups neither. Even if they are turigrinos they come to walk on earth, natural and rural. Who wants to walk on the main road to Santiago is permitted, btw. I would like to know who is interested in spending 12 million Euro in 2019 for construction works on the footpath and, more important, to where this money goes. This is my question.
hope someone knows more
