I don’t know much about the Continental Divide Trail, and I’ll probably never hike it, but I enjoyed this blog post about it, from the New York Times.
The author, Barney Scout Mann, discusses the economic impact hikers have on small towns along the way, and it made me think about how the Camino affects the villages it runs through. I’m sure many of the bars we walked past or sat in wouldn’t be able to carry on without the money peregrinos spend. And that’s just the Camino Francés. What about the effect on some of the lesser-travelled routes, like the Via de la Plata? Some day, I hope I find out.
Ken, for sure there is an up tick on the lesser walked routes like the Plata from pilgrims passing through. However, my sense was that because there are very few pilgrims on the less travelled routes that in most cases the bars would still be there to service locals and other travellers along the ancient road. Some of the bars are tiny In the small villages. That said, for sure there are probably more now than there were just 5 years ago, just like there are new albergues popping up each year.
Don’t worry, you will walk the Plata.
When I think of the convenience and delight of dropping in to one of the many little bars on the camino Frances for a pit stop, cool ale or coffee I’m glad to think that my hard earned is contributing in some small way. Come to think of it, between our three parties we’ve contributed quite a bit!!!
Obviously though, we have an obligation and responsibility to these locals to keep going back to walk.
Yes, I think we do have an obligation. It’s the least we can do!