RevBarbaraG
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- CF (2018)
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Is this going to be an issue?
I’m not teetotal, but I drink only very occasionally. The idea of drinking vino tinto/ cerveza every single evening doesn’t appeal at all, though an occasional one will be nice. Is this going to be an issue? I’ve read that a lot of pilgrim menus include wine, but if you don’t want wine are you still going to be charged for it?
My wife is a teatotaller, and I'm more like you. We have done the Camino Frances two times ('14 & '17) and it is no issue. You simply swap the wine for water. My guess is that at any given meal 20% of the people choose water.I’m not teetotal, but I drink only very occasionally. The idea of drinking vino tinto/ cerveza every single evening doesn’t appeal at all, though an occasional one will be nice. Is this going to be an issue? I’ve read that a lot of pilgrim menus include wine, but if you don’t want wine are you still going to be charged for it?
I don't value my sanity so may try the orujo next time....Oops, this comment should be in the "NOT a serious thread" thread! ;-)And if you value your sanity, stay away from the orujo!
I must then insulted a lot of people on my camino as I don't drink alcohol at all and always say no thank to any offerings including alcohol. I think it must be up to each individual if they want to drink wine. I dare to question the alcohol norm that says that everyone drinks now and then. I don't and I'm not pregnant nor sick and it should be just fine with me saying no thanks.lastly...if you are handed a "special glass of wine" by your host please drink it because they will feel insulted if you don't appreciate the offer...so I drank about a dozen glasses of wine but received many more "thank yous" for sharing the bottled wine.
Hi Barbara, I'm certainly not a teetotaler, however, I decided to abstain for the 5 weeks of the walk and save my celebratory drink for Santiago. I quite enjoyed it. Some pilgrims meals do include wine or beer, but I doubt you'll get a credit for having a Coke instead of wine. The pilgrims meals are quite hearty and in the range of 13 - 15 euros.I’m not teetotal, but I drink only very occasionally. The idea of drinking vino tinto/ cerveza every single evening doesn’t appeal at all, though an occasional one will be nice. Is this going to be an issue? I’ve read that a lot of pilgrim menus include wine, but if you don’t want wine are you still going to be charged for it?
I must then insulted a lot of people on my camino as I don't drink alcohol
I drink very little alcohol in Australia. One glass of red or white wine is enough to make me feel tipsy however on the Camino I could drink the whole carafe on my own easily. Something about the grapes being new not mature. I enjoyed the pilgrims meals however am not a fussy eater.
I’m not teetotal, but I drink only very occasionally. The idea of drinking vino tinto/ cerveza every single evening doesn’t appeal at all, though an occasional one will be nice. Is this going to be an issue? I’ve read that a lot of pilgrim menus include wine, but if you don’t want wine are you still going to be charged for it?[/Quote
The pilgrims menu is usually 3 course and all inclusive...wine and water and bread as well..its not broken down into items like an a la carte menu...simple answer is yes. In saying that many many people don't drink alcohol on the camino...would hate you to think it's a 35 day party...pilgrims meal starts at 6pm finished by 7/7.30 at the latest.
Hope this helps..
Not only will you not get credit for having Coke instead of wine, you'll pay more for the Coke.Hi Barbara, I'm certainly not a teetotaler, however, I decided to abstain for the 5 weeks of the walk and save my celebratory drink for Santiago. I quite enjoyed it. Some pilgrims meals do include wine or beer, but I doubt you'll get a credit for having a Coke instead of wine. The pilgrims meals are quite hearty and in the range of 13 - 15 euros.
I drink very rarely-- maybe one glass of wine every few months. I walked with my 14 year old son, so when the choice at the meal was wine or water, we chose water. I had a glass of wine a few times on the camino, but the next day I could feel it. No one pressured me to drink the vino or a beer. (Oh wait, two australian blokes bought me a beer because my last name is Kelley.-- They were being nice, and the beer did taste good on that hot day.)I’m not teetotal, but I drink only very occasionally. The idea of drinking vino tinto/ cerveza every single evening doesn’t appeal at all, though an occasional one will be nice. Is this going to be an issue? I’ve read that a lot of pilgrim menus include wine, but if you don’t want wine are you still going to be charged for it?
Not at all, in my experience.Is this going to be an issue? I’ve read that a lot of pilgrim menus include wine, but if you don’t want wine are you still going to be charged for it?
(Oh wait, two Australian blokes bought me a beer because my last name is Kelley.-- They were being nice, and the beer did taste good on that hot day.)
I like a day when I learn something new.Ask for Mosto, it is a delicious non-alcoholic juice sort of like Martinelli's sparkling cider. I don't drink either.
Water water everywhere. As a Irishman who never drank a Guinness or whiskey pilgrims think I am mad. As a doctor once said to me What’s wrong with Water buen caminoI’m not teetotal, but I drink only very occasionally. The idea of drinking vino tinto/ cerveza every single evening doesn’t appeal at all, though an occasional one will be nice. Is this going to be an issue? I’ve read that a lot of pilgrim menus include wine, but if you don’t want wine are you still going to be charged for it?
As I walked with a friend we were able to order one wine and one water then we could share.Excellent, thank you all for the reassurance
At long last all the pilgrims i do not want to walk with have shown themselves in one thread,after all these years i knew this time would come,i may now drink in peace
Then just drink water!Perhaps I should have mentioned that I don’t generally drink juices or soft drinks either as they play havoc with my blood sugar.
I came in to say something similar. The Spanish wines you get with set meals are younger, and much lower in alcohol than a standard bottle.
I wasn't paying close attention, but it seemed that at most meals we had a mix of water-drinkers and wine-drinkers. And usually we'd naturally find each other, so that half-way through dinner one side of the table would have an empty carafe of wine and a full carafe of water, while the other side would have an untouched carafe of wine and an empty one of water.
Uhhh, no thanks. I hope I never run into that guy!... Of course you could do with it what this charming man does with his wine (I think this is in Hontanas...we were fortunate to meet him and see his ‘show’....). .... I just had to jump in on this
Is this the famous albergue owner who could down a carafe in one single pouring? I heard last fall on the Camino that he was a local legend but unfortunately had slipped his mortal coil. Is he still alive?... Of course you could do with it what this charming man does with his wine (I think this is in Hontanas...we were fortunate to meet him and see his ‘show’....). .... I just had to jump in on this
Or you could be like me and just share your water. I run out I just buy another oneNot at all, in my experience.
As others have said, there's water for those of is who don't drink. The only friction comes when wine drinkers feel entitled to the water as well, thinking it's 'free.' Then it boils down to accessing whatever skills you have in non-violent but clear communication.
And if you value your sanity, stay away from the orujo!
I almost always got both. The wine is basically free, you pay the same wine or no wine so not compulsory to drink it all. I found that particularly in Rioja, the wine tasted a lot better than store bought stuff at home. So try it, and ask for the water too, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised.No, not at all. The choice is wine OR water. (But not both.)
Jill
Maybe try a Clara, sometimes known as cerveza con límon. Basically 50% Fanta lemon and 50% beer. Very refreshing and does not leave a beer type after taste. Tinto de verrano is another if you dont want straight wine. It is once again Lemon with wine rather than beer. Also quite refreshing on a hot day. Or simple Gaseoso. It is only sparkling water but I enjoyed it as an occasional break from wineI’m not teetotal, but I drink only very occasionally. The idea of drinking vino tinto/ cerveza every single evening doesn’t appeal at all, though an occasional one will be nice. Is this going to be an issue? I’ve read that a lot of pilgrim menus include wine, but if you don’t want wine are you still going to be charged for it?
That’s the plan.... plus tea and coffee
I’m not teetotal, but I drink only very occasionally. The idea of drinking vino tinto/ cerveza every single evening doesn’t appeal at all, though an occasional one will be nice. Is this going to be an issue? I’ve read that a lot of pilgrim menus include wine, but if you don’t want wine are you still going to be charged for it?
There are other options with a Pilgrim 's meal.I’m not teetotal, but I drink only very occasionally. The idea of drinking vino tinto/ cerveza every single evening doesn’t appeal at all, though an occasional one will be nice. Is this going to be an issue? I’ve read that a lot of pilgrim menus include wine, but if you don’t want wine are you still going to be charged for it?
We are talking about bottled water here, which is part of the pilgrim meal or menu del dia. You have a choice of still water (sin gas) or carbonated (con gas). You will only get tap water (which is safe in Spain) if you ask for it specifically, and it would be free.Now you all are confusing me about water! Do restaurant owners really limit how much water they serve a table?
Just to expand a little on what @C clearly wrote earlier: if you ask for water with a meal unless you ask quite explicitly for tap water you will almost certainly be served bottled water. If you have asked for water in addition to another drink such as wine already provided as part of the menu then that bottled water will be added to the bill and may be surprisingly expensive in relation to the set menu price. And just to anticipate another question: asking for tap water instead of bottled water with your menu will not reduce the price of the meal.Now you all are confusing me about water! Do restaurant owners really limit how much water they serve a table?
Hi ManInBlack..... yes, I believe that is the man...when we were there (June 2016) they told us he ‘retired’ and didn’t do his evening ‘pourings’ - he happened to be there that evening and ‘voila!’.... I was delighted!Is this the famous albergue owner who could down a carafe in one single pouring? I heard last fall on the Camino that he was a local legend but unfortunately had slipped his mortal coil. Is he still alive?
I totally abstain from alcohol.....has never been an issue. I prefer aqua con gas (sparkling water) and Aquarius! Yes, whether you drink wino or water, you will pay for a Pilgrim's menu. Buen Camino!Excellent, thank you all for the reassurance
Generally when I describe Camino life, most of my friends that have never walked and have no intention of walking think my wife and I are completely insane!And if you value your sanity, stay away from the orujo!
I walked the Camino Frances a couple of years ago and am teetotal. All menus where wine is included will substitute a soft drink so not a problem. And as with life ingeneral one does not have to drink to have a good time. Enjoy your Camino and jugo de naranja. Buen Camino.I’m not teetotal, but I drink only very occasionally. The idea of drinking vino tinto/ cerveza every single evening doesn’t appeal at all, though an occasional one will be nice. Is this going to be an issue? I’ve read that a lot of pilgrim menus include wine, but if you don’t want wine are you still going to be charged for it?
Why go on a resort holiday or cruise when you can walk a Camino!Generally when I describe Camino life, most of my friends that have never walked and have no intention of walking think my wife and I are completely insane!
Why would you walk a Camino versus a nice resort holiday or a cruise?
Yeah, orujo I think is the Spanish version of 'white lightning'...if wine is not killing the pain, orujo will get the job done!
I think the answer must be, all things in moderation.
there were no issues for me
After some thought, I thought I would reveal the full truth about wine and the Camino. Some of the other veteran members may be upset that I reveal this secret.
Anyway, every night right at meal time, black robed chanting monks mysteriously appear with a jug of wine in each hand.
Quite quickly all of the pilgrims become completely mesmerized and start drinking wine.
I have found that attempted resistance is futile.
Just as mysteriously they monks fade away and are not seen until the next night. One of the great and previously unexplained mystery of the Camino now revealed!
Oh is this thread about cerveza? Surely it’s not alcoholic? Just like tuna is vegetarian!Or just take the dish of the day instead of the menu.
But if you're not teetotal, hmmmm, I predict that you'll be drinking more wine on the Camino than you would at home -- not only will you be liable to find that it helps with the aches and pains, but its nutritional qualities actually help restore the body when taken (with whatever degree of moderation suits each individual) at the end of the day's hike or before bedtime.
In your position I would suggest avoiding the beer (though I swear by the stuff myself LOL), except perhaps to at least try once the Galician Estrella Galicia towards the end of the Way, or if you end up in some mild emergency of simultaneous dehydration and a little too much sun, so that a cool beer in the shade might actually help.
And do your best to keep in mind to ensure that any Camino bad habits stay on the Camino, and not bring them back home with you with your Compostela certificate ...
Oh is this thread about cerveza?
.... eh, don't get me started ... (Danger Will Robinson !!)
I like a glass or two of wine (occasionally three on Camino,.... eh, don't get me started ... (Danger Will Robinson !!)
(though I did the other day find an American beer that I actually like-- Spencer's Trappist Indian pale Ale.) Spencer's make the only Trappist beers brewed outside Europe ...
I’m not teetotal, but I drink only very occasionally. The idea of drinking vino tinto/ cerveza every single evening doesn’t appeal at all, though an occasional one will be nice. Is this going to be an issue? I’ve read that a lot of pilgrim menus include wine, but if you don’t want wine are you still going to be charged for it?
Next thing you'll be revealing the secret handshake!After some thought, I thought I would reveal the full truth about wine and the Camino. Some of the other veteran members may be upset that I reveal this secret.
Anyway, every night right at meal time, black robed chanting monks mysteriously appear with a jug of wine in each hand.
Quite quickly all of the pilgrims become completely mesmerized and start drinking wine.
I have found that attempted resistance is futile.
Just as mysteriously they monks fade away and are not seen until the next night. One of the great and previously unexplained mystery of the Camino now revealed!
oh... reminds me of our Philippine history 'Kastila' or 'Español'Castilian
Just avoid the retrobates.
I like to think that Jesus had a mischievious side,walks into alberques at meal time and changes all the water into wine
OK, JabbaPapa, Tom, Irish Bernie et. al., you guys have all made my day! I haven't laughed so hard in a while. Camino Magic via the internet. Make mine a red wine and I'll happily walk with any of you!Saint James is always a source of the unexpected on the Camino -- "mischief" is close, but it's the wrong word.
Saint James is always a source of the unexpected on the Camino -- "mischief" is close, but it's the wrong word.
OK, JabbaPapa, Tom, Irish Bernie et. al., you guys have all made my day! I haven't laughed so hard in a while. Camino Magic via the internet. Make mine a red wine and I'll happily walk with any of you!
I try to never miss a "pilgrim meal"! The quality of the meal can sometimes be questionable but the comradery around the table always makes up for the lack of vegetables. I too never saw the 2 tapas and a drink offered as a pilgrim meal.@ophelia, your experience with pilgrim meals/del dias was entirely different than mine. I never saw them offering 2 tapas and a drink. I always had choices of a hot first course often with meat, potatoes (usually fries, but not always), sometimes a veggie, good bread and a choice of dessert and drink. Not always high quality, but for 10-12 euro, I thought them a real bargain enjoyed at the end of a long day.
How about an orujo with a water back?Please enlighten me oh wise one
Would you like some water with that ??
How about an orujo with a water back?
Yes but we can’t spell. Or at least I can’t.How cruel !!! We reprobates are fine Pilgrims too !!!
I don't value my sanity so may try the orujo next time....Oops, this comment should be in the "NOT a serious thread" thread! ;-)
Perhaps I should have mentioned that I don’t generally drink juices or soft drinks either as they play havoc with my blood sugar.
I walked with a Canadian lady (Lucy) in 2016 and she too abstained during her Camino. We celebrated her first glass of wine when we met up in Finisterre. Unfortunately, I was not as strong minded as her... I decided to abstain for the 5 weeks of the walk and save my celebratory drink for Santiago. I quite enjoyed it. ...
@ophelia, your experience with pilgrim meals/del dias was entirely different than mine. I never saw them offering 2 tapas and a drink. I always had choices of a hot first course often with meat, potatoes (usually fries, but not always), sometimes a veggie, good bread and a choice of dessert and drink. Not always high quality, but for 10-12 euro, I thought them a real bargain enjoyed at the end of a long day.
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