- Time of past OR future Camino
- Us:Camino Frances, 2015 Me:Catalan/Aragonese, 2019
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Don’t buy a tour.I wonder if there is a way to let REI management know the disappointment a large number of there repeat customer feels about this marketing.
I have done a presentation at the REI in Columbia, Maryland on the Camino. They had 30 chairs and the standing room attendees were at least that number!they provide meeting space for the local pilgrim group to present lectures on Camino preparation.
This is not intended as an ad nor as a review of the tour.
Many forum members are familiar with REI, the Recreational Equipment Inc. co-op, for buying gear for their caminos. I just got a sale flyer from them with a notice that their nine day adventure package on the Norte, Primitivo and Finisterre caminos is on sale at $700 off if booked November 9-19, 2018.
Member price: from $4,299
Non-member price: from $4,699
(But don't be an idiot; a lifetime membership in REI just costs $20.) I assume the discount is off the prices mentioned.
Additionally, the flyer advertised their REI MasterCard where you can get a $100 gift card and you charge the adventure trip to it for a 5% discount (shows up with the yearly co-op member dividend.)
My short description of the trip is daily hotel, sightseeing, hiking, transportation ahead quite a bit and meals. And expensive.
I doubt most forum members will be interested but I thought I'd pass the information on. For details see https://REI.com/spain-hiking and https://reimastercard.com/GearUpGetOut
My first orientation to the Camino after we decided to walk was sponsored by REI and was presented by experienced pilgrims took place at the REI Flagship store in Seattle. And of course they want us to spend money. Witch we did.To be fair, the REI in Sacramento provides excellent Camino advice and support. Several of the employees have walked it themselves and they provide meeting space for the local pilgrim group to present lectures on Camino preparation.
I cannot afford their costs. We spent 35 days and $1,400 + airfare on 2016. We are walking again in October 2019 the difference may be forward out packs, but not sure, been having some health issues with the old back.I think the general objection is to the ridiculously high cost cost , nobody is objecting to the camino being made accessable to all.
I do agree that everyone walks their own Camino. But this is not a Camino it’s booking a tour on a bus or on Carnival Cruise Line. Please it is becoming commercized enough. To me this is offensive in every manner and form. I am especially offended as I just walked the Norte and suffered, smiled and made wonderful connections, especially with myself. Accomplished through the beauty, peace and solitude of the Norte. The last thing the Camino needs is this. REÍ should stick to what it does best. Helping pilgrims, hikers and others maximize their own experiences. Do people have to monetize everything???This is not intended as an ad nor as a review of the tour.
Many forum members are familiar with REI, the Recreational Equipment Inc. co-op, for buying gear for their caminos. I just got a sale flyer from them with a notice that their nine day adventure package on the Norte, Primitivo and Finisterre caminos is on sale at $700 off if booked November 9-19, 2018.
Member price: from $4,299
Non-member price: from $4,699
(But don't be an idiot; a lifetime membership in REI just costs $20.) I assume the discount is off the prices mentioned.
Additionally, the flyer advertised their REI MasterCard where you can get a $100 gift card and you charge the adventure trip to it for a 5% discount (shows up with the yearly co-op member dividend.)
My short description of the trip is daily hotel, sightseeing, hiking, transportation ahead quite a bit and meals. And expensive.
I doubt most forum members will be interested but I thought I'd pass the information on. For details see https://REI.com/spain-hiking and https://reimastercard.com/GearUpGetOut
Abercrombie and Fitch used to be guns, fly rods, and sleeping bags. Look at it now! Retail goes where the money is. When it becomes quaint, it disappears!I have been disappointed over the years as the co-op morphed from a serious "adventure gear" type of place under Jim Whittaker's original chairmanship into the high-fashion emporium
Being rich is not covered???who make it possible for those physically challenged or those just not comfortable with making arrangements on their own.
Yup. For a whole month in albergues, meals included,the price should be around $1500. Plus, you decide everything! REI price is ground arrangements only (I think)Insanely high price, even with the supposed discount.
Better off walking it like it should be walked.
What our world needs right now is more travel, especially by those citizens who tend not to travel outside of their country..
I concur with Mark S above and here is some good advice from John Brierley when arriving in Sarria that applies to this conversation.
“A reminder for “seasoned” pilgrims who commenced in Saint Jean Pied de Port or further back in Le Puy, Geneva, Budapest? Beware of signs of irritation at the intrusion of new pilgrims on “my” Camino - remember that many of the new arrivals may be nervous starting out and the last thing they need is aloofness built on a false sense of superiority. None of us can know the inner motivation or outer circumstances of another. A loving pilgrim welcomes all they meet along the path with an open mind and open heart…without judgment of any kind”
What our world needs right now is more travel, especially by those citizens who tend not to travel outside of their country. More travel creates more understanding of people who are different. Many of us seem programed today to always focus on our differences between groupings and then feel threatened by them instead of embracing our similarities. With more travel comes more appreciation for differences in a positive way. Differences become curious, interesting and add richness to our lives and acceptance of others.
I have some of the same reactions that all of you have regarding this REI trip but I think the world has a chance to be a little bit better if these participants have the chance to see some of the beauty of Spain and maybe learn a little more about the Camino. Maybe a few will even be inspired to come back and do a Camino more like the one we did. And that would be good for humanity.
Brierley quote from 15thedition (2018) Camino Frances guide book, last paragraph on p246 in italics.
So true...whatever point of view we favor, any travel is a worthwhile eye opener, deserving only applauseI concur with Mark S above and here is some good advice from John Brierley when arriving in Sarria that applies to this conversation.
“A reminder for “seasoned” pilgrims who commenced in Saint Jean Pied de Port or further back in Le Puy, Geneva, Budapest? Beware of signs of irritation at the intrusion of new pilgrims on “my” Camino - remember that many of the new arrivals may be nervous starting out and the last thing they need is aloofness built on a false sense of superiority. None of us can know the inner motivation or outer circumstances of another. A loving pilgrim welcomes all they meet along the path with an open mind and open heart…without judgment of any kind”
What our world needs right now is more travel, especially by those citizens who tend not to travel outside of their country. More travel creates more understanding of people who are different. Many of us seem programed today to always focus on our differences between groupings and then feel threatened by them instead of embracing our similarities. With more travel comes more appreciation for differences in a positive way. Differences become curious, interesting and add richness to our lives and acceptance of others.
I have some of the same reactions that all of you have regarding this REI trip but I think the world has a chance to be a little bit better if these participants have the chance to see some of the beauty of Spain and maybe learn a little more about the Camino. Maybe a few will even be inspired to come back and do a Camino more like the one we did. And that would be good for humanity.
Brierley quote from 15thedition (2018) Camino Frances guide book, last paragraph on p246 in italics.
I totally disagree with what you think of REI employees. My husband is one and we walked the Camino last year and also met a couple of other REI employees. He is one of the go to employees that people go to knowing that he has walked it and what is needed for packs, sleeping bags/sheets and other things needed for the Camino.Very disappointed in the tourist approach REI is taking on the Camino.
They have simply never treated the camino as a serious exercise. Very little respect. They tend to put it in very easy guide/holiday catagory.
The employees treat it very lightly as well. Nothing like they treat other trails and outdoor endeavors.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime."
--Mark Twain
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