SOS (Santiago Occupied Society!): The Burden of Living in Compostela in the Middle of August
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – Living in Santiago de Compostela is a privilege. The rain, the smell of incense, the gastronomy... and the pilgrims. No, we are not referring to the four or five that arrive in winter, with that mystical air. We talk about the horde, the battalion, the inexhaustible swarm that invades the city in August. For a true Santiago native, this time is like living in an episode of The Walking Dead, but with glowing sticks and backpacks instead of zombies.
The first warning sign is when you try to go for the bread. A simple morning mission becomes an odyssey worthy of Homer. You must navigate groups of 20 people wearing sandals, avoid shells hanging from backpacks larger than one person and, if you're lucky, not end up with a cane on the head. The most daring residents have begun to develop alternative routes through little-traveled alleys, popularly known as "the Anti-Pilgrim Routes."
“I don't know what's worse,” laments Manolo, a waiter in the historic center, “if the smell of wet socks or being asked to seal the milk carton. But it's my turn to rest!
For its part, Praza do Obradoiro, a place of meditation, has been transformed into a photographic festival where every inch of stone is a selfie point. The pigeons, tired of posing for pilgrims, have already requested political asylum in the cathedral. And, as if that were not enough, the famous saying "it always rains in Compostela" has been challenged this year: tourists, in their infinite wisdom, have managed to scare away even the rain with their overflowing joy.
In short, August in Santiago is a month of contrasts: while some celebrate the end of their trip, others dream of the day when the city will once again have more Santiago residents than trekking poles.
