Budget

[DPW]

Hi all! From previous experiences, is it possible to do a 15day Camino with EUR500?

 

[SabsP]

Frances yes...other ones with less albergues might prove to be more difficult. Pensiones are more expensive of course.
Also your max.of kilometres per day have to be taken into account.

 

[SYates]

500/15= 33,33 Euro/day, perfectly possible as long as you stay in albergues and cook mostly for yourself.

Typical costs of albergues: 5-15 Euro/day
Pilgrims menue: ~10 Euro/person

So even if you eat out occasionally there is still some leeway for the occasional treat.
Buen Camino, SY

 

[xin loi]

We met a man from France who was walking with no money at all. He said that God would provide. Lot of places that only request a donation for room and meal and if you have nothing they expect nothing.

 

[Albertagirl]

So long as you only include the cost of accommodation and food, not transportation to or from your camino, you should easily be able to do your camino for that amount. I budgeted 35 euros a day but only spent 25, and only once did I cook for myself. I bought breakfast (coffee and toast) and the pilgrim menu for dinner, but only had apple and cheese for lunch. Your budget allows a little more for food or beverages during the day.

 

[Ryan Alexander]

We met a man from France who was walking with no money at all. He said that God would provide. Lot of places that only request a donation for room and meal and if you have nothing they expect nothing.

Is that not true faith right there?

 

[Albertagirl]

Is that not true faith right there?

@Ryan Alexander
I don't know. If you never consider that the person who is paying for your bed and your food with their donativo may be as poor, or poorer than you are, maybe this type of faith is just selfishness. But I hope that all who feel the call to pilgrimage will find ways to respond. For some, this may mean just starting to walk. May their faith, and our money, support them on their journey.

 

[november_moon]

I don't know. If you never consider that the person who is paying for your bed and your food with their donativo may be as poor, or poorer than you are, maybe this type of faith is just selfishness

Yes, I agree. I don't know this man's situation, so its hard to know whether this is faith or selfishness, but I think some people do take the axiom "the Camino provides" too far. We're all there to help one another out, but the flip side of that bargain is that we have to do what we can to provide for ourselves as well. Going on the Camino with no money and with the intention of living off the kindness of others seems disingenuous at best.

 

[SabsP]

Yes, I agree. I don't know this man's situation, so its hard to know whether this is faith or selfishness, but I think some people do take the axiom "the Camino provides" too far. We're all there to help one another out, but the flip side of that bargain is that we have to do what we can to provide for ourselves as well. Going on the Camino with no money and with the intention of living off the kindness of others seems disingenuous at best.

Indeed november moon. Years ago there was a thread here ( now closed because of lots of anomosity ) about walking a Camino with no money although the OH had money but he wanted to make a point that the Camino provides.
A difficult dilemma.

For me it is simple : when we have money we should spend it and support the local economy.

Those who have to watch what they spend , sure use a donativo but a donativo does not mean " free ". Give what you can. This does not always mean giving money but you could offer your talents or service. I knew a student who helped out at a donativo with tiling the floor of the bathroom.

I know I should not judge but still...I saw someone bragging that he put half a Euro in the donativo box but at same time he had super expensive gear and clothes and spent more than enough at the local bar in the afternoon.

 

[Albertagirl]

Those who have to watch what they spend , sure use a donativo but a donativo does not mean " free ". Give what you can.

@SabineP
I should like to point out that the donativos are not just for those who have to watch what they spend. I do not know how they could continue unless pilgrims with a moderate budget chose to stay there for the spirit of the place and to be as generous as they can. I always put the same in the box as I would expect to pay elsewhere, to help cover someone else's bed and meals. I know that I am not alone in this.

 

[SabsP]

@SabineP
I should like to point out that the donativos are not just for those who have to watch what they spend. I do not know how they could continue unless pilgrims with a moderate budget chose to stay there for the spirit of the place and to be as generous as they can. I always put the same in the box as I would expect to pay elsewhere, to help cover someone else's bed and meals. I know that I am not alone in this.

True Albertagirl...did not explain myself correctly.
I even leave more than I would pay for a " regular " albergue.

 

[Kevin Cassidy]

I knew there was s

500/15= 33,33 Euro/day, perfectly possible as long as you stay in albergues and cook mostly for yourself.

Typical costs of albergues: 5-15 Euro/day
Pilgrims menue: ~10 Euro/person

So even if you eat out occasionally there is still some leeway for the occasional treat.
Buen Camino, SY[/QUOTE
I knew I recognized your name, Ms. Yates! You're the Canadian author. Yours was the first book I read in preparation for my trip, which I started in Lourdes 5 days ago. You write really well and your book was very helpful!

 

[SYates]

Thanks, but my co-author Daphne is the Canadian ;-) Buen Camino! SY