Overcrowding in Santiago

[peterhore]

https://inews.co.uk/news/world/tour...klash-2952834?ito=copy-link_share_article-top the last few seasons I've been walking the VdlP and if this report is only half true, it's better to travel hopefully than to arrive

 

[Anhalter]

Is it the time of year already where third-class authors bait for clicks with stories of how overcrowded Santiago is?

 

[J Willhaus]

Yes, last summer and fall there were several stories in the local Galician paper about misbehavior by pilgrims and tourists alike in Santiago. Some steps were being taken to make a set of guidelines, but apparently these could not always be enforced legally.

I was there in summer and it was crowded with tourists and pilgrims. In winter, when I was there again, it was quiet. Only the first 2 rows of the cathedral were full at the midday pilgrim Mass, so it isn't every day and all the time. There are still times to see Santiago without crowds.

 

[Tincatinker]

Ok, so Santiago has a population of around 100,000. A few thousand pilgrims, tourists and rubber-neckers a day is scarcely to be noticed. There’ll be a few days a year when the Vigo and Coruña cruise ships add to the throng, but not for long (can’t miss dinner) but, on the whole the city of Santiago won’t notice them. The 1km radius of the cathedral, okay, that’s knee deep in the buggers. And what do we have? We have headlines about how there are too many/ not enough visitors pricing out the locals while failing to spend enough money. Trying to eke out their few remaining €’s by sharing a tapa between 6 and moaning like mad when the Emerald City starts to look a bit Jade(d).

I can’t wait for this year’s flush of headlines includes “pilgrim wears trainers despite admission standards”, “Cathedral employs bouncers”, and “Santiago says “wasn’t our original concept””.

 

[t2andreo]

It is NOT crowded. There are just too many people in a confined place - particularly when "I" want to enjoy it. One's perspective defines the argument. To wit - "I am NOT overweight, I am under-tall."

This is a collallary of the late, great American baseball player Yogi Berra who once famously quipped "nobody goes there anymore - it's too crowded..." He was famous for his many and comic malapropisms - for example - "It's deja vu - all over again..."

So, in the best analytical planning I can muster, "I" determine when there will be "too many" people where I want to go - and then I go at a different time of day, day of week, week of month, or month of year. Be where "they" are not.

It is really quite simple. All of this breathless whinging is just that, much ado about nada! Yawn - un grande bostezar.

If you go anyplace at peak times, you will encounter crowds. Simple problem with a simple fix - be somewhere else.

Hope this helps.

Tom

 

[Rita Flower]

I think we could say everywhere ‘gets too crowded’ in peak tourist season - what about poor old Venice.
I am in Australia and I heard some people who felt Uluru was ruined by tourism. I went there and had an amazing time even though there were many tourists there just like me.
I am sad when a few ratbags give the locals a hard time - not a good thing anywhere at any time and for me particularly disappointing on a pilgrimage route.
However, I think the spirit of Santiago is always available if you look for it, no matter how many people are there.
And if the people do get in the way, then you might be able to choose another time of the day (it’s pretty quiet early in the morning), week, month, or year to experience Santiago’s particular gifts.

 

[venerabledom]

It is NOT crowded. There are just too many people in a confined place - particularly when "I" want to enjoy it. One's perspective defines the argument. To wit - "I am NOT overweight, I am under-tall."

This is a collallary of the late, great American baseball player Yogi Berra who once famously quipped "nobody goes there anymore - it's too crowded..." He was famous for his many and comic malapropisms - for example - "It's deja vu - all over again..."

So, in the best analytical planning I can muster, "I" determine when there will be "too many" people where I want to go - and then I go at a different time of day, day of week, week of month, or month of year. Be where "they" are not.

It is really quite simple. All of this breathless whinging is just that, much ado about nada! Yawn - un grande bostezar.

If you go anyplace at peak times, you will encounter crowds. Simple problem with a simple fix - be somewhere else.

Hope this helps.

Tom

It baffles me that people go somewhere and then complain there are too many other people there - buddy this isn’t your movie, to to them you are other people

 

[SilentNight]

There are still times to see Santiago without crowds.

I appreciate your sage comments and advice, sensibility, and helpfulness. I have read your responses in a dozen or more posts, and you are my favorite seasoned pilgrim to read and learn from because you stay focused on helping other pilgrims. Thank you for your generous spirit to help us pilgrim newbies and other pilgrims have an informed Camino journey. God bless.

 

[digger]

Ok, so Santiago has a population of around 100,000. A few thousand pilgrims, tourists and rubber-neckers a day is scarcely to be noticed. There’ll be a few days a year when the Vigo and Coruña cruise ships add to the throng, but not for long (can’t miss dinner) but, on the whole the city of Santiago won’t notice them. The 1km radius of the cathedral, okay, that’s knee deep in the buggers. And what do we have? We have headlines about how there are too many/ not enough visitors pricing out the locals while failing to spend enough money. Trying to eke out their few remaining €’s by sharing a tapa between 6 and moaning like mad when the Emerald City starts to look a bit Jade(d).

I can’t wait for this year’s flush of headlines includes “pilgrim wears trainers despite admission standards”, “Cathedral employs bouncers”, and “Santiago says “wasn’t our original concept””.

Oh Tinca,
Love it!!!! Astute and amusing!
If you were an Aussie we’d call you “a bit of a dag” and love you for it
Digger