- Time of past OR future Camino
- Yearly and Various 2014-2019
Via Monastica 2022
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
I bet if all of us offered the cost of a few cafes there would be a sizeable kitty to use in support places and people 'on the edge.' Who'd organize that, how it would get distributed, and to whom is the complicated part.Does anyone know of a way/place we can make contributions to help
Yes, he is SO in my thoughts these days:(Amongst many people who come to mind, I find myself thinking of the elderly gentleman in that shop in Castrojerez. May he be healthy!)
@Rebekah Scott comes to my mind... It is a very good thought, @VNwalkingI bet if all of us offered the cost of a few cafes there would be a sizeable kitty to use in support places and people 'on the edge.' Who'd organize that, how it would get distributed, and to whom is the complicated part.
But a lot of a little is a lot.
Maybe in the future when we are able to be on the Camino again we give a little more when we check into the albergue?I am quite sure that his forum alone could sweep in a substantial amount (as a fund) to help sufferers in various villages along the Camino(s). (I am thinking here of small businesses who depend on us every year for their income, which will certainly not happen in 2020). I am reluctant to trust others than @Rebekah Scott in this matter, because of her dedication to all things Camino. It is my opinion that it would be in very safe hands with her hands at the wheel of such an operation. JMHO.
this will be quite devastating for many people, for many reasons.
One question that'd offer some focus would be to ask if there are any traditional albergues along varoous ways that would be endangered by losing a couple of month's-worth of support?I do feel so sad for those lovely people who have been so kind to me on previous Caminos. Some of these villages have six buildings: three are albergues and the other three are houses lived in by people who sell stuff to pilgrims staying in those albergues. A lot of people are going to become really very poor because of this. Not to mention the millions in the travel and hospitality industries who will lose their jobs.
It's a sad day.
Amid the collective disappointment about our aborted pilgrimages...sparing a thought for all the good people out there who support the way, and we who walk it: the albergue and restaurant owners, the people in many little towns who offer services or who run shops - and the many memorable people, everyone from the nuns who open their chapels to us in the evening to the bagpipe players in Santiago.
Some we know, and many we will never meet.
Regardless, known or unknown...
Abrazos fuerte...may everyone have all the support they need in these trying times.
(Amongst many people who come to mind, I find myself thinking of the elderly gentleman in that shop in Castrojerez. May he be healthy!)
Indeed:
One question that'd offer some focus would be to ask if there are any traditional albergues along varoous ways that would be endangered by losing a couple of month's-worth of support? @Rebekah Scott ?
.....the albergue and restaurant owners, the people in many little towns who offer services or who run shops - and the many memorable people, everyone from the nuns who open their chapels to us in the evening to the bagpipe players in Santiago....
This is from the original post:
We now seem to be talking about albergues and the official camino infrastructure only. This is not what VNwalking said in her original post. The people who run the little shops in small villages where the pilgrims provide their main income and even that not very much, I suppose! How to reach them? Local camino amigos?
Good question.How to reach them? Local camino amigos?
Thank you @VNwalking for highlighting what could be unwelcome consequences from naïve although well-intentioned interventions. Could we start by sending thank you postcards from our home cities/towns/villages to places where we have stayed via the local Amigo Associations to let people there know that we are thinking of them in these straitened times; that we will never forget their kindness and hospitality, and that we will return.Good question.
And it's really a mine-field. Any time there is money involved, it's a fertile field for the kind of petty jealousy and resentment that can split the population of a tiny village into warring tribes. Not being Spanish, we have no idea, so good intentions need to be tempered by caution and common sense.
And any support needs to be either fair across the board or limited in quite a specific way.
I have zero ideas but like where this is going.
If someone has the skills and connections and interest and sensitivity...why not?would it be possible to establish a data base with all the private/danativo albergues and vulnerable businesses on the various routes and take this fund raising campaign from there.
It is always beneficial to replenish Rebekah's emergency fund at the Peaceable. That way she doesn't have to ask. I send a bit to cover the expense of helping stranded pilgrims who she so generously offered her home as a safe heaven until they are sorted out. Light and Love.
Very good idea, Ingrid. Thanks for reminding us.It is always beneficial to replenish Rebekah's emergency fund at the Peaceable. That way she doesn't have to ask.
I think before we start trying to name people to take on the task of helping organize a charity, we need to contact them first. I mentioned Rebekah but did not name her non profit on purpose, I have heard from her and she is over the top with trying to help pilgrims get out of the country before it is too late. That is on Monday, 2 days from now. Likewise Ivar has his hands full. So please before you start naming names talk to the "name" first to get their permission.I just had a thought; could we also consider Ivar who's work allows us all to stay in communication. Especially those of us who are now in the 'postponed' ranks; Send Ivar the equivalent of 1 pilgrim meal (or more) to support the forum.....I'll start with meHow about you?
I (of course) thought of Reb too, but chose not to put her on the spot. It's a big and complicated idea. And she will be dealing with her own fallout, whatever that is. And if for no other reason than to avoid interpersonal complications for her in the wider community - if this happens, it should come from us, outside.
Good question.
And it's really a mine-field. Any time there is money involved, it's a fertile field for the kind of petty jealousy and resentment that can split the population of a tiny village into warring tribes. Not being Spanish, we have no idea, so good intentions need to be tempered by caution and common sense.
And any support needs to be either fair across the board or limited in quite a specific way.
don't know about Spain, but last night at midnight the Portuguese government announced a wide range of financial aids for small businesses, and their employees, to help mitigate the results particularly of decreased tourism, which is a huge part of each country's income--probably 2nd or 3rd source. Pilgrim revenue is part of general tourism in both, of course, but a bigger portion in Spain than in Portugal because of the popularity of the various Spanish routes over many years.
I hope and expect that Spain will be instituting similar supportive measures to those in Portugal; their social systems to support hard times in the population are similar, and fairly robust. Also, their small town residents are resilient, though this will be painful for some families' incomes, for sure. They are only a couple of generations away from tough times in the past and quite pragmatic and practical, in my experience.
Please donate the surplus to your local food bank, homeless shelter, abused women’s shelter...And if anyone is hoarding toilet paper, please don't.
I fear that some of the albergues won’t make it. My daughter works in a successful cafe in Edinburgh. It’s uncertain if the cafe will survive the summer. And that’s in a major international city. On the meseta there’s nothing else going on. These people have bills and rents and mortgages. I want them still to be there in 2021...Instead of giving money to the albergue why not simply give equivalent to charity of your choosing. The Camino has been around and will continue to be long after we pass. 2021 will be a bumper year and make up for any loss. If walking in holy year or future pay double for everything
This was brought up in another thread. My response was that even if you were able to scrounge up a million euros in donations, how would it ever be fairly and legally distributed?I fear that some of the albergues won’t make it. My daughter works in a successful cafe in Edinburgh. It’s uncertain if the cafe will survive the summer. And that’s in a major international city. On the meseta there’s nothing else going on. These people have bills and rents and mortgages. I want them still to be there in 2021...
The corona virus is going to be a financial disaster for all the albergues and cafes that would have housed us and fed us as we walked.
Does anyone have any idea as to how we could help financially? I was thinking of things like ‘booking’ a room or a meal and paying for it. And, obviously, not showing up! The albergue/cafe thus gets a few euros to help pay their bills.
The Camino seemed to me when I last did it (Frances in 2019) to be entirely cash based so I’ve no idea how I could make this work from the UK.
Anybody got any insight as to how we could help?
SAL
Instead of F.E.A.R believe in Hope. Its the last thing you lose. I lived and worked in Edinburgh. The rent and rates are destroying business and a comparison is not the same. The Meseta business I expect are more resilient and these pilgrims understand how to make the most out of less. It might say more about your fear, false experiences appearing real. The Meseta has more going on than whats on the surface. Pilgrims like Monia and Mau know how to survive and live in hope and loveI fear that some of the albergues won’t make it. My daughter works in a successful cafe in Edinburgh. It’s uncertain if the cafe will survive the summer. And that’s in a major international city. On the meseta there’s nothing else going on. These people have bills and rents and mortgages. I want them still to be there in 2021...
Instead of F.E.A.R believe in Hope. Its the last thing you lose. I lived and worked in Edinburgh. The rent and rates are destroying business and a comparison is not the same. The Meseta business I expect are more resilient and these pilgrims understand how to make the most out of less. It might say more about your fear, false experiences appearing real. The Meseta has more going on than whats on the surface. Pilgrims like Monia and Mau know how to survive and live in hope and love
Excellent idea (and BTW her book 'A Furnace Full of God' is a splendid read...)@sal777
@Rebekah Scott runs Peacable Projects I am sure she is willing to receive funds and forward them to any albergue/café/person etc in need of them. You might want to contact her first to see what is possible, the website is https://www.peaceableprojects.org/
BC SY
We don't not agree with each other and thankyou for your intervention but excuse my ignorance but I have no idea what your point is that hasn't already been madeOur fears are usually based in our own experiences of life. While we need to be sensible, we should look toward where hope can take us. So perhaps both @Derrybiketours and @sal777 agree with each other.
Exactly !, the Camino will survive, and in times of scarcity and spirituality, the Camino always survives better than the others. Hope, patience and optimism to those around us, that we all have to do.Instead of giving money to the albergue why not simply give equivalent to charity of your choosing. The Camino has been around and will continue to be long after we pass. 2021 will be a bumper year and make up for any loss. If walking in holy year or future pay double for everything
An important insight about our universal energy. It's a cup and I don't release it until it overflows then its time to share. A person who gives with a depleted cup will be vulnerable too and their energy will be taken but not reciprocated and it will take much longer to refillExactly !, the Camino will survive, and in times of scarcity and spirituality, the Camino always survives better than the others. Hope, patience and optimism to those around us, that we all have to do.
If I want to give energy, I have to keep what I have, and not lose it with fears of what there is not yet.
I agree that these are very worthy endeavours. But have you obtained permission from these people to promote their websites? It is not reasonable to impose on them if they are not in a position to responsibly use a sudden surge of donation. As Rebekah said in the post before, perhaps it is better to either donate direct to the place you have in mind, or WAIT...A couple of other worthy Camino related websites to donate to in addition to Peaceable projects...
*Egeria House/Anglican Chaplaincy-
www.paypal.com/paypalme2/EgeriaHouseSantiago
*Pilgrim House-Santiago-
www.pilgrimhousesantiago.com/support
*Pilgrim Forum-
You are already here...just go to the donation button!
I agree with this sentiment! Surely this is more important than donating to maintain a network of albergues that mainly serve our own purposes as foreign visitors to Spain.But even better, to donate, in the name of the Camino to people close to you, anywhere in the world.
No I have not. I thought all websites were open to the general public. Feel free to delete my post if you feel it infringes on the privacy of these establishments...I only meant well. I was not asking them to burden themselves to take in donations to distribute to other needy causes.I agree that these are very worthy endeavours. But have you obtained permission from these people to promote their websites? It is not reasonable to impose on them if they are not in a position to responsibly use a sudden surge of donation. As Rebekah said in the post before, perhaps it is better to either donate direct to the place you have in mind, or WAIT...
I agree with this sentiment! Surely this is more important than donating to maintain a network of albergues that mainly serve our own purposes as foreign visitors to Spain.
Yes, they are open to the public. It is not so much the privacy that I was thinking of. Rather I was thinking that people may rush to donate money without thinking about whether those agencies really want to be handling those donations at this time. It is a responsibility! Over the next few months, many worthwhile efforts will get organized and we should be ready to respond to their thoughtful plans.I thought all websites were open to the general public.
I have been sitting here thinking the same thing!The corona virus is going to be a financial disaster for all the albergues and cafes that would have housed us and fed us as we walked.
Does anyone have any idea as to how we could help financially? I was thinking of things like ‘booking’ a room or a meal and paying for it. And, obviously, not showing up! The albergue/cafe thus gets a few euros to help pay their bills.
The Camino seemed to me when I last did it (Frances in 2019) to be entirely cash based so I’ve no idea how I could make this work from the UK.
Anybody got any insight as to how we could help?
SAL
Thank you!Excellent idea (and BTW her book 'A Furnace Full of God' is a splendid read...)
Agreed. Ditto x 100.I agree that these are very worthy endeavours. But have you obtained permission from these people to promote their websites? It is not reasonable to impose on them if they are not in a position to responsibly use a sudden surge of donation. As Rebekah said in the post before, perhaps it is better to either donate direct to the place you have in mind, or WAIT...
I agree with this sentiment! Surely this is more important than donating to maintain a network of albergues that mainly serve our own purposes as foreign visitors to Spain.
This may not be today's reality in Spain. News: The Xunta of Galicia has made the facilities of the pilgrim albergue located in Rua da Barreira available for the municipality of Ourense to be used if necessary [...] In addition, the Ourense municipality will open a third facility in the old [former?] San Francisco pilgrim albergue which has 12 places.Municipales are likely the ones that will open first. They can store everything, shut off the water and electricity and lock the doors till it is time to open again.
Madeleine, this sounds like a wonderful idea. Would like to hear any reasons why this would NOT be a good plan...Yesterday I was watching the Pope‘s Urbi et Orbi and tears came to my eyes to think about Spain and its unimaginable losses. My dear, dear Camino country and people. I felt I just had to do something, so I went to Booking.com and booked 2 bunk bed for that night in the last albergue that I stayed during my recent last Camino section in February 2020: Albergue Luz de Fromista. I remember calling them, already past 4 pm from Boadilla del Camino in my rusty Spanish : “Soy una peregrina, tienes una litera para esta noche?” I was answered in my native language on the spot: Do you speak Dutch? And so Anita, who walked the camino with her Spanish husband, came to greet me, walking her dogs on the canal on the final way to Fromista. So I let them know I would only virtually stay with them that night, with all the good memories of their prior hospitality.
I have seen on this forum other calls on how we can support the Camino albergues and infrastructure. Professionally I have seen the destruction and loss of viable businesses in which blood, sweat and tears were invested, in two earlier crises. I do not want that to happen to the Camino Frances. I think I spent my happiest moments walking into Roncesvalles, Pamplona, Burgos, Formista etc.etc. and settling into a caring albergue. So I just want to share my idea of booking and paying for a virtual night in your favourite CF albergues via Booking.com
if Ivar c.s. could come up with a direct, well governed and transparent, way to donate to the albergue’s, I myself and I am sure many others Camino friends would be happy to donate. We all share such happy memories of the Camino and the way we were welcomed and cared for. In the picture the beautifully restored Albergue Luz de Fromista.
I agree that supporting our neighbors who live next door need just as much support as an albergue owner. The level of financial stress is usually impossible to measure. Help when and where you can but somehow I personally feel reaching out to the homeless in our towns, the poor who live near us, all those in our own communities that are in dire need deserve our attention just as much. In my mind, and this is just my opinion, or even more. Our albergues are wonderful and some need help more than others. We cannot measure anyone else's pain or suffering because this is not measurable. But I do know that the most neglected populations before this horrific pandemic are still the most neglected during the pandemic.A good cause indeed!
But do not forget to support your local businesses too when you live in a country that is affected by Covid-19.
I consider him as my friend. I am very worried. He is close to 90. However, the last time I saw him (last spring), he was running at high speed across the plaza. No tired bones there.(Amongst many people who come to mind, I find myself thinking of the elderly gentleman in that shop in Castrojerez. May he be healthy!)
Thank you for that!I just got a note from @Juanma, formerly of the albergue(s) in Ponte Ferreira (where many Primitivo pilgrims ate their paella and enjoyed their albergue, one of which is now run by @Thomas1962). Last year they moved to Cirauqui on the Francés and took over the Maralotx. Like many small albergue owners, they have invested heavily in improvements and upgrades and are in financial straits. Juanma has an offer on his website — book and pay now, get your room in 2021 or 2022. And he will give you a few euros back when you actually show up.
https://www.alberguecirauqui.com/help-us-stay-here-for-you
Alex,I consider him as my friend. I am very worried. He is close to 90. However, the last time I saw him (last spring), he was running at high speed across the plaza. No tired bones there.
I have phoned other of my Spanish friends and they are all OK, thank God. But then again, I feel for the Spanish people as a whole, as so many of us do in these times.
Edit: It is of course a good thing to support our local businesses. I do. But I cannot help thinking about the rural Spain, through which we all have walked, some many times, and how they depend on the Camino business. I have therefore decided that I shall walk the Camino on Google Earth this spring, and book a virtual bed once every week, in albergues who have received me friendly as a pilgrim from a foreign land. I will continue to do this until I can return to my Camino. Not that I am rich, but I can afford it. If more pilgrims do this, then maybe we will have some albergues to come back to when this is over.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?