210,017 Compostelas in the first six months.

The running total for the year to date is 15% up on the same period last year. So on course for over half a million Compostelas this year. An extraordinary growth.

If only I had the print contract!

The peak season is just beginning. They will likely do at least 300k more Compostelas before October.

More pilgrims are walking on the various routes this year. Also, more pilgrims are actually coming in for a Compostela, instead of self-avoiding what used to be a time consuming hassle at times.

Recent automation initiatives have reduced the Compostela processing time to perhaps 15 - 30 minutes, even on a huge arrival day. I miss being there to help, as a volunteer, and be a part of history being made.

My spouse's serious illness has kept me home as her caregiver last year and this. I hope that I can get back to my passions - walking Camino and volunteering - in 2025.

Hope this helps.

Tom

And one of those 210,017 was given to me despite not having an Official Credencial. I just went in to ask for a stamp in my Homemade Credencial Journal and they insisted on giving me a Compostela! I was Person Number Two in the queue and so got a lunch ticket too