[Gocamino] Pilgrim Numbers continue to rise

[Rebekah Scott]

I am interested in the artists vs. priests & nuns question, as I spent a good bit of time lately with all the above. I think "artist" is a much bigger word than "priest" or "nun." You can be an artist whilst being a whole lot of other professions, even a priest or a nun. 

There are a lot fewer priests and nuns in the world than artists, I´d venture to say. A good percentage of them are constrained to remain in their parishes and convents, they don´t have the freedom to make pilgrimages like an artist might. And the majority of priests and nuns I see are getting up in age, and are perhaps less able physically to walk long distances. 


I think Kerkeling´s book is waning in influence where German pilgs are concerned; none of them seems to know just why they are walking. But a couple of the antipodeans told me their currency is now stronger against the Euro than it has ever been, and going now is much more affordable than before. 

 
Rebekah Scott 
www.moratinoslife.blogspot.com


"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."     -- Albert Camus


________________________________
From: Richard Ferguson <richard at fergusonsculpture.com>
To: Johnnie Walker <johnniewalker-santiago at hotmail.com>; †GoCamino OakApple <GOCAMINO at oakapple.net>
Sent: Saturday, October 1, 2011 8:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Gocamino] Pilgrim Numbers continue to rise

Most of the countries at the top of the list are nearby and at least nominally Catholic.  If I had to guess on the UK, I would think that it is not and has not been a Catholic country.   German popularity can be explained by the popular book by the comedian Kerkeling.  

Most artists work with their hands and bodies, perhaps more than their head.   As an artist myself, the idea of walking is a form of doing, and is a lot more appealing than meditating or going on a retreat.   Also, artists tend to be spiritual people, more spiritual than religious, so the promise of a spiritual experience sounds appealing.   And there is no shortage of books discussing and promoting the Camino as a spiritual experience.

Going on pilgrimage is kind of a busman's holiday for professional religious, so I am not too surprised about the lack of religious on pilgrimage.   However, I do know of a local priest who plans to take a group on Camino.

Richard



On Oct 1, 2011, at 11:48 AM, Johnnie Walker wrote:

> 
> Hola
> 
> The total numberof pilgrims recieved in the Pilgrims Office during September is: 26,008
> 
> That makes the total to date: 161,925
> 
> I've posted the full analysis here:
> 
> www.johnniewalker-santiago.blogspot.com
> 
> 
> Have a look at the numbers. I'm wrestling with a couple of questions you might like to consider: Why do you think more artists than nuns and priests put together walk the Camino?
> 
> In terms of travel distances why is the UK so apparently under represented? 
> 
> There is clearly a surge in pilgrims from the antipodes - why so?
> 
> Best wishes
> 
> John
> 
> 
> www.johnniewalker-santiago.blogspot.com
> 
>                           
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