crowds on the Camino

[Elyn Aviva]

In a message dated 11/17/01 12:23:33 AM, bksinspainaITOTAL.NET writes:

<<  I couldn't get over the feeling that I had come

too late, that the Camino is turning into a tourist activity other than a

personal / spiritual journey.   >>

Barry, you raise such an interesting topic! In the Middle Ages, hundreds of
thousands of pilgrims were on the road to Santiago, and for some, at least,
it was a combo of spirituality and escapism, an opportunity to see something
other than their familiar village or city--and some chose to settle on the
Camino! Markets were big in the Middle Ages, along with lots of hoopla,
drawing pilgrims to spend $$ if they had it. No wonder pilgrimage was later
looked upon as a dubious spiritual activity, opening one up to the risk of
falling into worldly sin.  Santiago de Compostela itself must have been
crowded, indeed.

I'm fascinated (as I debate it within myself) by the double vision of the
Camino being "spoiled" these days because it is so popular--and thinking
about how popular it was (ranking with Rome and Jerusalem) in the Middle
Ages.  I wonder--and this just popped into my head--about the historical
range of Christian spirituality from private seeking (hermits, the Desert
Fathers) vs communal (monastic settings with all their rules and structure)
vs community (70-80 folks disgorging from a bus, parish groups walking
together). Are many of us drawn to the first of these choices, which is why
we talk about "walking your own Camino" as walking by yourself? Surely there
is a power in community, just as there is a power in private seeking.

Speaking for myself, I'm uncomfortable in crowds, put off by mass fervor.
I've usually walked with one partner, or part of the day by myself, though in
2000 I walked with a group (though we usually broke into small pods of 2 or 3
people walking together, shifting our companions during the day). I've never
taken the opportunity for community provided by the refugios (it's a long
story...) and prefer quite, self reflective time. I would probably have been
a hermit, not a nun.

Anyone else out there care to comment on the frequently voiced idea the
Camino is now "too" popular/populated, even "spoiled"?

Buen Camino,
Elyn