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Ok I'll have a go.
8-2 = 6 (the difference in cost)
2 (cost in Spain)/6 (difference in cost to France) as a percentage = 300%
So the price you are paying is 300% cheaper than you would in France (in this example).
This is basic arithmetic.
That would actually be 55% cheaper - I think something has got lost in translation!
Edit - the % is based on the higher number hence why it can be over 100% in other circumstances, ie. a pint of beer is 300% cheaper in Spain than France etc (2 euro v 8 euro).
Spain is a beautiful country, but not all parts are equal. There are very rich parts and very poor parts, and even parts that want to become independent. The politics and police can still be corrupt, especially at a local level. Unemployment is over 30% in some areas.
But it is the only other...
I have not done the Portuguese Camino, and actually only ever having walked the CF I am certainly no expert.
But, of course, we don't like those things to get in the way.
So, IMHO I do not think you will get what you are looking for on the Portuguese. Timewise sure it fits the bill, and I have...
I'm not suggesting they be banned if they don't walk from SJPdP, only that the current system for bed booking/allocation leaves little room for those who actually need the accommodation most.
This would not seem to be the case given it seems a large number of the bookings are not people walking...
Maybe there is a degree of that, but the impression I've got from the some of the above responses is that a large percentage of people booking are not those that are walking from SJPdP, but people and groups who are arriving by bus etc to start at Roncesvalles.
If this is the case then it also...
Maybe day hikers, or maybe they are camping perhaps?
I think overall on the Camino's there are more people doing it with their dogs, although the numbers are still small with logistics problematic.
This is where my maximise profits comment came from, which granted does sound a bit too corporate and could have been better worded. Like you say there could be many reasons for this, and maybe it's a necessity to cover their costs. It just doesn't seem in the spirit of what I can only assume...
I used this from Santiago to Hendaye after my Camino - cost me 35 euro!! Reckon it was nearly a 8-9 hr drive as we went via La Coruna, and then various other drop-offs and had to stop several times because the car was over-heating!! I asked if I could have a front seat before booking as I can...
I had similar experiences, but the reality is that there is very little you can do about it. You can hope the person coughing would be considerate, but you can't really make them. To them it might not be anything out of the ordinary, whilst to us it could be totally unacceptable. They might even...
I agree with this - if the Albergue is operating on some kind of not-for-profit basis. You are a guest.
But anywhere that is operating on a pre-booking basis to maximise profit is automatically providing a service where the person booking is a customer.
Turning away someone who's walked 26km...
Open hearts and open minds for me are more beneficial than any significant plans on the Camino, if of course you are comfortable with that.
I think based on this starting in St Jean Pied de Port is going to be what you want, and maybe getting as far as Leon will give you what you are seeking...
The OP has a point. Getting to the Camino is going to be in some way detrimental to our planet - how much is just a guess.
Walking past concrete buildings with screaming animals in as happened to me in Galicia should never fail to affect you, because if it does you are already too dead to...
What a wonderfully magical beautiful serendipitous story - almost too much for me on a Sunday morning.
Thank you so much for sharing, and I hope both of your Camino's continue in such a beautiful loving manner.
Option 2 does sound amazing, especially the Albergue in the ancient monastery.
El Acebo of the CF? So there is an alternative path from here to Ponferrada?
Yes definitely. I think when you know you will be walking for such a long time you are automatically in a different vibe/mindset to what you are if you are just walking for a week - this is very true.
So me actually comparing how I felt 2-3 days into my 33ish days is probably not going to be...
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