Twenty year anniversary of the Camino de Santiago forum

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Congratulations Ivar.

We are starting the third decade of the Camino de Santiago forum. The first post available for us to see is #1 on thread #3, titled “Hostal Suso” dated October 12, 2004. That is actually the third post ever (I'm assuming the first two threads and posts were tests and deleted).

Thank you so very much for helping so very many. Stick around for a while longer. We still need you.

 

[trecile]

Yes, congratulations @ivar!

If anyone is curious, here's the thread that @Rick of Rick and Peg mentioned: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/hostal-suso.3/

 

[trecile]

And of course, here's the the very first thread/post:

Hi and Welcome!

This discussion board is meant to be a forum where past visitors (pilgrims?) and future visitors can meet and share their experiences related to Santiago de Compostela. There are mainly two groups of people that travel to Santiago, pilgrims and tourists. This board is meant for both types of visitors, the board is about Santiago de Compostela, no matter how you got here you will have something interesting to share.

Let me introduce myself: My name is Ivar Rekve and I live here. I am originally from Norway, but meet my Galician wife in the USA and now we have settled down just a few minutes outside this beautiful town of Santiago de Compostela.

About my pilgrim experience: I have not done El Camino so on expert advice on what to bring and what to wear, I might not be much help. But on topic related to the city of Santiago de Compostela I might be able to give you the information you are looking for.

There are not too many sites about Santiago in English; I believe this is the first.

Welcome and enjoy!

Ivar Rekve

 

[ivar]

Wow! You are right, we are 20 years today! Congratulations everyone, thank you for being such a good group of people. All the best from Santiago, Ivar

 

[Kiwi-family]

Congratulations @ivar
I had a little giggle - it was YOU who started the pilgrim/tourist debate;-)

 

[alexwalker]

I had a little giggle - it was YOU who started the pilgrim/tourist debate;-)

So now, with @ivar in front, we are free to distinguish between tourists and pilgrims?

Edit: Rachael/@Kiwi-family : It was so nice to meet you in Uterga this April!

@ivar : You have come a long way, fellow countryman: Congratulations!

 

[Ellen Gotts]

Congratulations Ivar, and thank you. The forum has helped me out sooooo many times and it’s always the first port of call if I need information.

 

[dougfitz]

Congratulations @ivar. You not only created a great resource, but have founded a community that spans the globe. What a great achievement.

 

[VNwalking]

So, Ivar, does this mean ever who visits you this year needs to bring cake? Or perhaps you'll finally take to the road to see what everyone is yammering about?

Tak, well done, and congratulations! If you'd known what you were starting, would you have?

 

[trecile]

So, Ivar, does this mean ever who visits you this year needs to bring cake? Or perhaps you'll finally take to the road to see what everyone is yammering about?

I'm definitely bringing cake next time.

 

[Kirkie]

Wow! You are right, we are 20 years today! Congratulations everyone, thank you for being such a good group of people. All the best from Santiago, Ivar

As suggested in post 9, this could be the year you walk 'The' Camino!
Stay going, as you might be told around where I live.

 

[Clodagh Benning]

Congratulations and thank you. Over the past six years I have walked the CF in fragments because of work restrictions. Each time we begin planning again I come back here first. I may not post much but I have found peoples posts informative, enlightening and comforting when needed.
What a community - thank you

 

[nycwalking]

Congratulations Ivar.

I love this forum.

Thank you for starting it.

Buen camino.

 

[sillydoll]

Congrats Ivar. I joined on 2 November 2004 when it was a forum for visitors to Santiago. I think it evolved into a Camino forum later.

 

[Ralph Guerrero Jr]

Congratulations Ivar, this forum has been the best. It has provided a wealth of information, guidence, and day to day updates on the verious caminos which is so helpful. lt has given many that might not otherwise had embarked on any of the Caminos, the confidence to take the first step. The interaction, the sahring of information has been very informative and keeps us all up to date. Thank you for all you do not only on information but also on the Camino store, luggage assistance and all the resources you provide. Once again, Thank you and Congrats on 20 years of service to us all.
Buen Camino

 

[bullingtonce]

Congratulations Ivar.

We are starting the third decade of the Camino de Santiago forum. The first post available for us to see is #1 on thread #3, titled “Hostal Suso” dated October 12, 2004. That is actually the third post ever (I'm assuming the first two threads and posts were tests and deleted).

Thank you so very much for helping so very many. Stick around for a while longer. We still need you.

God blesses us in many ways and this forum is one of those ways. This forum is further blessed as it does not, as many others do, degenerate into nasty spats and attacks. It is firmly and spiritually focused on its missions to serve pilgrims, regardless of the make, model, and year. Chuck

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Congrats Ivar. I joined on 2 November 2004 when it was a forum for visitors to Santiago. I think it evolved into a Camino forum later.

I had you marked as such on my calendar because I was going to create a similar thread for you. You were forum member number 8. Members 2 through 7 haven't been seen in a long time and that makes you the senior active forum member. Maybe Ivar should find some sort of a silly doll to put in his shop for a mascot.

 

[Mark Francis Auchincloss]

Wow! You are right, we are 20 years today! Congratulations everyone, thank you for being such a good group of people. All the best from Santiago, Ivar

Congratulations on what has turned out to be a very successful international English speaking forum for pilgrims about the Camino de Santiago and Santiago de Compostela. Together with your shop it has been an incredible achievement. The big question from me is when are doing your next Camino?

 

[trecile]

I had you marked as such on my calendar because I was going to create a similar thread for you. You were forum member number 8.

How did you determine who the first forum members were?

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

How did you determine who the first forum members were?

Each member has a page with the format of
www.caminodesantiago.me/community/members/[name].[number]/

Often website software disregards whatever is in-between the last slashes except for the last number or some other identifier. So I looked for .../members/X.2/ and so on until I found someone who was recently active and that was @sillydoll, member number 8.

 

[GuyA]

Congrats Ivar! In 2013 when I retired I was searching for the next step. Before I knew it I found this great resource the Forum! Now years later and many walks I am ever so very thankful for what you did for all of us!

Guy

 

[chinacat]

Each member has a page with the format of
www.caminodesantiago.me/community/members/[name].[number]/

Often website software disregards whatever is in-between the last slashes except for the last number or some other identifier. So I looked for .../members/X.2/ and so on until I found someone who was recently active and that was @sillydoll, member number 8.

The link leads to an ‘Oops’ page

 

[chinacat]

Ah!
I understand it now!

Link to the page, delete back to / before name, and enter your forum name followed by a full stop.
It will then give your number!

Eg:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/members/chinacat.7108/

Thank you @Rick of Rick and Peg


Alternatively:

See ‘link’ (is it called URL? ) at top of page on your own member profile page!


More importantly:

Congratulations, @ivar!!

 

[OCHAR]

Congratulations!
I would say "20th Anniversary" or "20th year".
The word "Anniversary" already implies "Year".

The department of redundancy department.

 

[JustOneGuy]

WOW!!! Congratulations to @ivar and also to all who contributed! I would rather say: ¡Enhorabuena!...

Have any of you kept a screenshot of the forum back then? As a neophyte I would love to see it.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

The word "Anniversary" already implies "Year".

Oh dear, dear, dear, year is there! It's so mixed up I missed it.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Maybe Ivar should find some sort of a silly doll to put in his shop for a mascot.

That would be too funny - because the dolls I have seen were attached the the small daypacks of "tourist walkers"


However, in searching for a picture to show, I also found these and I think I will make one for my next camino instead of a shell

Will look good with my collection of mostly handmade shells

 

[ShoshTrvls]

Thanks from me as well. I’m a newish member, but an active participant who has learned and benefitted immensely from what has been created here.

Indeed, I’ll confess that when I was explaining about Ivar and wanting to stop by his shop to the friend who walked the Ingles with me, there was a bit of a welling up in my eyes.

 

[sharonmonty]

Couldn’t be without this forum. Great when planning but also great to stay in touch with all the peregrinos at any time!

 

[TaijiPilgrim]

Congratulations Ivar.

We are starting the third decade of the Camino de Santiago forum. The first post available for us to see is #1 on thread #3, titled “Hostal Suso” dated October 12, 2004. That is actually the third post ever (I'm assuming the first two threads and posts were tests and deleted).

Thank you so very much for helping so very many. Stick around for a while longer. We still need you.

Congratulations. Thanks so much, Ivar and all of you.

 

[jbreuner]

Congratulations, Ivar, and thank you from the bottom of my heart. I could not have done my Camino without the information gleaned from this forum. In terms of the measure of service you have provided to the Camino community, you and John Brierley are neck-and-neck, and there's no one else even close behind you. Dios te bendiga siempre, y Buen Camino!!

 

[dougfitz]

I would say "20th Anniversary" or "20th year".

These are quite different things. The forum entered its 20th year over a year ago, and is now in its 21st year. As @Rick of Rick and Peg correctly pointed out, the forum is entering its third decade.

The word "Anniversary" already implies "Year".

Generally speaking, but only if it isn't qualified by nominating a time period, such as six month anniversary. That formulation seems to be less well accepted, with only some sources acknowledging its use, although I see it used regularly.

 

[David Tallan]

Congratulations, Ivar, and thank you from the bottom of my heart. I could not have done my Camino without the information gleaned from this forum. In terms of the measure of service you have provided to the Camino community, you and John Brierley are neck-and-neck, and there's no one else even close behind you. Dios te bendiga siempre, y Buen Camino!!

Well, maybe Father Elias Valiña Sampedro (look him up), although I admit Ivar's service is more recent.

For me, though, this forum beats out Brierley hands down, and I suspect it's audience may be more international.

 

[dougfitz]

Each member has a page with the format of
www.caminodesantiago.me/community/members/[name].[number]/

Often website software disregards whatever is in-between the last slashes except for the last number or some other identifier. So I looked for .../members/X.2/ and so on until I found someone who was recently active and that was @sillydoll, member number 8.

What a great tip for doing some time-wasting on a quiet Sunday morning. I was interested to see what other members who joined at that time were still active. In the first 50 to join, other than @ivar and @sillydoll, the others who were still posting in the forum's second decade were @jabri, @William Marques, @Marion, @Peter Robins and @HeidiL. Some haven't posted in the past few years, but the others either visit regularly or continue to post. What a remarkable record of contribution.

 

[BonnieS]

Congratulations Ivar.

We are starting the third decade of the Camino de Santiago forum. The first post available for us to see is #1 on thread #3, titled “Hostal Suso” dated October 12, 2004. That is actually the third post ever (I'm assuming the first two threads and posts were tests and deleted).

Thank you so very much for helping so very many. Stick around for a while longer. We still need you.

Ivar, the Forum has been a great help in planning and living my Camino, and hopefully in the future another one. I enjoy reading it and sharing the gift of the Camino. Thank you for serving us so well.

 

[Lexicos]

A sincere thanks from me Ivar. The forum has been invaluable and enjoyable.
Merci beaucoup!!

 

[SarahCheng]

Thank you very much Ivar and to the community!

 

[JennyH94]

Thanks so much Ivar for all that you have given over the last 20 years - the Forum is my daily Camino “newspaper” and its news is always interesting and informative. I particularly appreciate all that you did in the Covid years with the various Zoom meetings for us all in various parts of the world. You kept us all in touch in those difficult times.

Thanks again and cheers from Oz -
Jenny

 

[MikeJS]

Definitely a fantastic place for all pilgrims, hikers, strollers and anyone else that loves or would love the Camino.

 

[dqduncan]

Wow! You are right, we are 20 years today! Congratulations everyone, thank you for being such a good group of people. All the best from Santiago, Ivar

@ivar , It was so nice to spend some time with you upon our return to Santiago a few weeks back. Had Colleen and I known the forum anniversary was imminent, we'd have wished you congratulations in person. Nevertheless, hearty congratulations from us to you and, in fact, congratulations on behalf of all Canadian pilgrims from your friends at the Canadian Company of Pilgrims. This forum is a treasure and we thank you for all the support we have had through this pilgrim (and tourist) community.

David
Director plus wearer of other hats
@ Canadian Company of Pilgrims
santiago.ca

 

[Lindsay53]

It has been this forum and the great people here who have provided almost all the information I have needed since I began my Camino journey over 5 years ago.
Thankyou Ivar for this awesome place!

 

[Sue127]

À great forum which gave me confidence to start walking Caminos in 2020. 4 started (not all arriving at Santiago....... yet!) due to time restrictions, but all ready itching for number 5

 

[GroveMountain]

Wow! You are right, we are 20 years today! Congratulations everyone, thank you for being such a good group of people. All the best from Santiago, Ivar

Happy Anniversary! I love this site so thank you for keeping it real!

 

[CWBuff]

I'm definitely bringing cake next time.

Let me know when you are walking and I'll try to time mine to coincide
May I suggest Tarta de Santiago?

 

[MARSKA]

I want to join the Cakewalk!

 

[sillydoll]

I had you marked as such on my calendar because I was going to create a similar thread for you. You were forum member number 8. Members 2 through 7 haven't been seen in a long time and that makes you the senior active forum member. Maybe Ivar should find some sort of a silly doll to put in his shop for a mascot.

My name is Sylvia. Many friends call me Silly. My husband used to call me 'Doll' (when we started courting 60 years ago!). When gmail started I decided to combine the two as an email name. When google came out ± 2008, I googled SillyDoll and discovered a pole dancer with my name!

 

[filly]

Well, maybe Father Elias Valiña Sampedro (look him up), although I admit Ivar's service is more recent.

For me, though, this forum beats out Brierley hands down, and I suspect it's audience may be more international.

Dear, lamented John Brierley - RIP

 

[Martin-B]

A little late to the party but many thanks to Ivar for all his efforts and also to all the regular contributors who keep things ticking over nicely..!!!!!!

 

[rappahannock_rev]

Wish I still had my October 2004 body....

 

[debigetsout]

Thank you, Ivar! This forum has been an indispensable resource that I return to every time I begin dreaming about, and then planning, my next camino.

 

[LadyElegilly]

And of course, here's the the very first thread/post:

..and a wonderful job you continue to do. Congratulations on 20 years!