2011 Gathering of Pilgrims - USA

[Deleted member 3000]

Voices of the Camino: Past, Present and Future
2011 Gathering of Pilgrims - Santa Barbara Mission, California
March 22 - 29, 2011

Registration is now live on our website National Events page.

Join us in beautiful Santa Barbara, California in March for our 14th Annual Gathering of Pilgrims. The Mission has made many improvements since our Gathering there in 2008. The dining hall, Clare’s Room (the library), and Bonaventure Hall have all been upgraded and/or remodeled. Wireless internet is now available on the lower campus, too!

The Gathering, March 25 – 27, is preceded by Hospitalero Training, March 22-24. The Spiritual Retreat, hosted by Michael Barham, follows the conclusion of the Gathering from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday morning March 29th.

NEW - American Pilgrims Scholarships for Hospitalero Training
American Pilgrims now has financial-need scholarships available to help make it financially feasible for its members to participate in one of the organization's hospitalero(a) trainings. Indeed, scholarship recipients will have their registration fees for the March 22-24, 2011 hospitalero(a) training in Santa Barbara paid by American Pilgrims. More information and applications are available on the American Pilgrims Grant Program page. Note that the application deadline is January 21, 2010.

This year’s Early Arrival Reception, Thursday March 24th, will feature a Spanish tapas menu, wine and music. Our special workshop Friday morning will feature a language learning specialist, who will help you improve your Spanish, or any other language you would like to practice.

Gathering topics will include a keynote presentation about the medieval Romanesque Santiago cathedral as it appeared in 1211, the year of its consecration, music of the Codex Calixtinus, art history of the Camino, Camino literature, voices of youth on the Camino, our newest tradition, the Camino cabaret and more. For an overview, travel information and online and mail-in registration material, go to our website National Gathering page.

Hope to see you in Santa Barbara this year.

Gathering Team

 

[renegadepilgrim]

As I stated elsewhere, too rich for my blood. The amount of money I would spend to get to Santa Barbara plus the cost of the conference/hospitalero training would cover a plane ticket to Europe. Why is it so expensive? Why does it cost $50 to join American Pilgrims? That is the one barrier holding me back from joining. I wonder how true this is for other people? I'd love to be a part of AP, but I just can't afford it. I guess I will have to wait for the Seattle group to have another hospitalero training.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I'll be there.. I thought I posted this already.. deja vu?

 

[daesdaemar]

While it would be wonderful to attend such an event, the fact that it is being held in California puts it out of reach for many -- both distance and expense! :cry:

As renegadepilgrim said, I can do another Camino for what it would cost...

 

[wdbillingsley]

And your URL is ?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

http://www.americanpilgrims.com/events/ ... ional.html

 

[renegadepilgrim]

While it would be wonderful to attend such an event, the fact that it is being held in California puts it out of reach for many -- both distance and expense! :cry:

As renegadepilgrim said, I can do another Camino for what it would cost...

Last year it was in Florida, I believe, so I was excited about it being on the West Coast until I found out it was in Santa Barbara, one of the most expensive places in California, not to mention, there is no direct way, even for a west coaster like myself, to get there.

 

[markss]

Santa Barbara, referred to as the Gold Coast or America's Riviera, is certainly among the most beautiful cities in the United States. Expensive -- really no more so than any other California city. In fact, unless you are investing in real estate there, as far a visit is concerned it is no more expensive than most areas of the entire USA. No there are no alburgues where for a few dollars a day one can secure accomodations. This is not the Camino. Only problem is that it is not near a major airport, thus making getting there a bit more difficult. There are shuttle buses from LAX airport in Los Angeles. That's about a two hour drive up the coast.

Can't think of a nicer place to host the American Pilgrims. Admittedly I am biased. To those fortunate to attend, the city will not disappoint. It is spectacular and the best time of year to enjoy all that it offers.

Besides, aren't you anxious to meet some of the people from this forum! It will be so much fun!

 

[renegadepilgrim]

I've been to Santa Barbara before. Yeah, its beautiful. I've spent a LOT of time in SoCal. It is expensive to visit and prohibitively expensive to actually live in SB. I've looked into the shuttle. It costs too much. I would love to meet people from the forum but not for the same cost as a plane ticket to Europe. Thank you for minimizing those of us who are economically challenged who cannot afford to attend.

 

[markss]

No, I do not in any way want to minimalize those who find the American Pilgrims meeting in Santa Barbara as prohibitably expensive. They are right, it is indeed expensive. At the same time I do not fault the selection of that sight as the issue. Why not select a desireable location? It is easy to critisize the selection of the organizers, OK what are the alternatives??? Let's be fair.

 

[Anniesantiago]

In the end, it's all about choice...
I wish you'd choose to go.
I'd love to meet you

We do what we want to do, right?

 

[markss]

To reach Santa Barbara from LAX airport by train, it is best to get the "Flyaway" bus at the airport to Union Station. Depending on traffic conditions it is generally a 30-45 minute ride to the train station. Amtrak trains run from Union Station to Santa Barbara.

Flyaway busses cirlce airport arrival terminals on a regular basis. As there are several destinations, ensure that you take the bus clearly destined for Union Station (not Westwood or Van Nuys).

Alternatively "Santa Barbara Airbus" has regular shuttle service between LAX and Santa Barbara. This is probably the most time and cost efficent way to go.

 

[renegadepilgrim]

Renegade, you seem to be really angry about this and I can't figure out for the life of me why? Are you angry?

They just offered hospitalero training in Seattle, near you.
Did you look into that one?

As far as the cost, it's not as expensive as flying to Spain.
Lodging and meals are included in the price for the gathering and for the training so there are no expensive hotel or restaurant costs.

In addition, they offer scholarships for those who are having difficulties financially.
Why not apply for one if you'd like to go?

For the record, I am not angry, just voicing my concern at how expensive this event is.

And you know from my previous PM why I didn't go to Seattle for hospitalero training. I had just returned from traveling RTW and did not have money for rent, much less a trip to Seattle for training. My focus was on starting work and getting my first paycheck. Priorities....

The scholarships are for the hospitalero training only, not the conference. I've looked into it. It makes no sense to apply for a scholarship if I can't afford to get there too. If I'm going to blow several hundred dollars and a couple of days of PTO on a trip to SoCal, I need to be able to make good use of my time/money. Unfortunately, I do not have the luxury of "taking my time" like I did on the Camino and when I was traveling RTW this past year. It's a cost/benefit analysis and the cost outweighs the benefit, in my opinion.

Let's break down the cost for me:
RT ticket from PDX to LAX: $300-350 (this is variable depending on when I leave, but assuming I arrive on the 22nd, leave on the 27th, flying Alaska, where I have FF miles)
Santa Barbara Airbus: $84 RT (if purchased in advance)
Hospitalero Training: $195
Extra Night/Early Bird Gathering: $95
Gathering: $295 (why would I buy a membership for $50, to only save $30 off the members-only price?)
Assuming I spend NO money while I am in Santa Barbara, that puts the total for the trip at: $969 on the low end, as airfare costs are rising every day. If you add the $50 membership fee for American Pilgrims, it would put it just over a cool $1K.

A flight to Madrid from Portland for the same dates would cost $827 per a simple search on kayak.com.

Now, let's compare the cost of me going to Victoria, BC, Canada for hospitalero training from March 11-13th, 2011.

Training Cost (includes training/food/billeting): $100 CDN (which is about par with the USD)
Ferry to/from Port Angeles, WA: $31 RT
Gas to/from Port Angeles from Portland: approx $60 or so, depending on if I can find a RideShare partner.
Parking car in Port Angeles: $40

Total cost: $231 and I get to go to another country!

Nuff' said.

We'll have to meet another time and then you can see I'm not angry, just passionate about how things should be affordable to all.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

They were in Williamsburg, Virginia a few years ago. That is just a couple of hours drive after a flight into the District of Columbia. Suggest Portland (and offer to help with the arrangements) to them, and they may move closer to you.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Looks like the Canada training will work for you~ that's great!

I'm happy you aren't angry.
Sometimes it's a good thing to put things like this on paper.

 

[Canuck]

...just passionate about how things should be affordable to all.

Renegade,

I know a few countries where ''things are affordable to all'' but unfortunately not many things are available. :cry:

Jean-Marc

 

[renegadepilgrim]

They were in Williamsburg, Virginia a few years ago. That is just a couple of hours drive after a flight into the District of Columbia. Suggest Portland (and offer to help with the arrangements) to them, and they may move closer to you.

That would mean I'd have to become a member and I will not pay $50/yr. there are a ton of options in Portland and we don't have sales tax. Oh, and you can put a bird on anything and call it art! (reference to new IFC show called Portlandia). I'd love to see it in Portland or Seattle!

 

[renegadepilgrim]

...just passionate about how things should be affordable to all.

Renegade,

I know a few countries where ''things are affordable to all'' but unfortunately not many things are available. :cry:

Jean-Marc

Please don't read anything into what I said...... There is a certain elitism and exclusivity with charging so much for a yearly membership to American Pilgrims. The Canadian Company of Pilgrims charges much less and seems to be much more welcoming. Perhaps I should think about emigrating to Canada, eh?

 

[Canuck]

Perhaps I should think about emigrating to Canada, eh?

You're welcome, eh!

Cheers,
Jean-Marc

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Personally, I don't think the substantial membership charge for the American Pilgrims is driven by elitism. From their Mission statement:

"To support the Camino, we collect and disburse funds and we train hospitaleros (hosts) for the Camino albergues (pilgrim refuges). The funds are used for the maintenance and enhancement of the Camino infrastructure, going to specific albergues being built or repaired, to associations providing services along the Camino and to other entities directly involved with the Camino. American Pilgrims hospitaleros serving in Camino albergues are trained in conformity with the training that Spanish hospitaleros receive, so that they are prepared to step in as full partners. Our desire is to promote a positive American presence on the Camino and to support this physical and spiritual journey that has been meaningful and life-transforming to innumerable people for over a thousand years.

"An example of our support to Camino infrastructure is our ongoing assistance, both in the way of providing hospitaleros and funding, to the albergue at Fuenterroble de Salvatierra on the Vía de la Plata south of Salamanca. You can view the dedication (Spanish) of the Casa de América there, which was built with a contribution of $10,000 from American Pilgrims on the Camino."

To fulfill this objective, they need substantial donations, not a large number of small amounts. They give out credentials for free (none of the other associations does), so they want to help the persons of limited means. Membership is more than a newsletter; it is to spend substantial sums for infrastructure.

Joining is optional. Anyone who cannot, or does not want to, join does not have to. You can still get a FREE credential from them. I do not think that impuning their motive or purpose is particularly useful. They are engaged in good works, including hospitalero training, and it takes money to perform them. If their membership for a household at $50, or $15 for a student, is not within your means, just send your blessings instead of condemnation. You both will be richer for it.

This free event is closer to Portland:

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
American Pilgrims on the Camino–Puget Sound Chapter Walk and Potluck
Saturday May 14, 2011, 4:00 pm.

The next get-together of the Puget Sound Chapter will be held in the Seward Park area of Seattle. To be placed on our e-mail list and receive information about this and other events, contact mcrites@earthlink.net.

 

[William Marques]

Just a reminder to keep everything friendly here. This is a good event if you are able to make it and if not, que sera sera.

It will be better if the posts here relate to the 2011 Gathering and people going and meeting, getting there etc. (that was what this section was set up for) not a discussion of the AP. Perhaps start a thread in Miscellaneous if you wish to talk about the AP but stay friendly there too!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

You can get the APOC newsletters here for free, no membership required:

http://www.americanpilgrims.com/about/newsletter.html

You can find the Canadian newsletter here:

http://www.santiago.ca/newsletter.html

 

[oursonpolaire]

If the Canadian group didn't charge for credentials, it would charge more for membership. Like the US group, surplus dinero goes off to the Camino, in this case to the Confraternity's alberque in Miraz which has, so far, received about 6,000 euro from the Canadian Company of Pilgrims. I had no idea that the CCoP was more welcoming; I see the president from time to time and he is really quite annoying in so many ways.

 

[renegadepilgrim]

I had no idea that the CCoP was more welcoming; I see the president from time to time and he is really quite annoying in so many ways.

Well, the organizer's of the hospitalero training in Victoria, BC have been very welcoming and answered all my questions promptly! So, that is my point of reference.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

With the strong Canadian dollar and the cross country flight, I could never afford to go to Victoria for hospitalero training. :lol:

 

[oursonpolaire]

I had no idea that the CCoP was more welcoming; I see the president from time to time and he is really quite annoying in so many ways.

Well, the organizer's of the hospitalero training in Victoria, BC have been very welcoming and answered all my questions promptly! So, that is my point of reference.

Yes, Wendy and Mary and the Victoria gang are all very nice. Other readers might want to note that Tom Friesen has offered hospitalero training in London, Ontario, which might be more accessible to our south-of-the-border friends from the central and eastern US.

Canadian currency has always been more colourful and (IMHO) artistic, but it is only very recently that bankers seem to think so. But don't worry, I'm sure it will go up and down many more times.

 

[PereGringo]

I think Humboldt County would be a beautiful location for a Gathering of Pilgrims...bus routes, airport, The Beautiful Pacific Northwest......maybe 2013??? buen camino always!

 

[Telluridewalker]

I just booked my flight and reserved my room for the US Pilgrims Gathering in Santa Barbara. Look me up if you're there too.

And I couldn't help but put a pilgrimage spin on my trip: while I'm in L.A. I will make a point to visit the Watts Towers, a piece of architecture and folk art that has vicariously fascinated me since I first read about it in the second grade (1974, to be precise).

It'll feel good to have my backpack on again...

 

[KristinaMaria]

wow looks great...don't think i'll be able to make it...but wish i could!