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I find it beyond awkward!So it isn't just me who finds this a little awkward?
When I walked my first Camino that was still the norm in many towns and villages. The priest was often the contact for the refugio. In Cacabelos I got no reply at the door of the presbytery. A local lady came over to explain that the priest was away until tomorrow. She turned to a second lady for advice. Then a third. And a fourth. After some brainstorming lady A led me to a new shiny sports centre where the manager gave me the referees changing room with shower and toilet, a high jump mat to sleep on, keys to lock up for the night and advice on places to eat. All very generous and much appreciated!George Borrow and others from the past have recommended “bothering the Parson”,
I'll try to make it short: not in a million years. No, no, no.Would you knock on doors on quiet Caminos to ask for a place to stay?
And also, if your house was on a less traveled Camino route, would you let pilgrims who ring your doorbell stay with you?
Me too. I always carry a lightweight bivvy bag on my long-distance walks. So that I can sleep with some comfort outdoors if necessary. So far I have never failed to find a place to sleep but I have occasionally spent a night outdoors when the weather was good to break up an otherwise uncomfortably long stage. Particularly on the VdlP and the Mozarabe. I would far rather do that than impose on the goodwill of local residents.Would I stop someone on the street to ask where I could find accommodation? Yes. But I wouldn't knock on a random door to ask if I could sleep there, and presumably be fed.
For me it would depend how you ask. If I was desparate and I saw a group of older people chatting I might go up and say ‘anyone want to earn an easy €20’ with a smile. Can’t imagine cold calling at a door. Maybe if someone was in their garden… sort of last minute ‘couchsurfing’ without the tech aspect!Me too. I always carry a lightweight bivvy bag on my long-distance walks. So that I can sleep with some comfort outdoors if necessary. So far I have never failed to find a place to sleep but I have occasionally spent a night outdoors when the weather was good to break up an otherwise uncomfortably long stage. Particularly on the VdlP and the Mozarabe. I would far rather do that than impose on the goodwill of local residents.
Other forum members have described instances where local residents have approached them and offered lodging. I particularly rememnber a description of a father-son combo on the Sanabrés somewhere, but my memory won’t go further than that.
I think it’s pretty unanimous here on the forum that we would never consider knocking on someone’s door. I think it’s a different equation if someone approaches you and asks you if you need a place to stay. For me, except in the most extreme circumstances, I would be very reluctant to do this. I know it would likely be safe, but as a woman walking alone, I wouldn’t take a chance.
I 100% agree that females should never ask males and as a male wouldn’t never ask a female on her own. That would be daft! But I do think this is a bit of a leap! If you avoid risking the sexual harassment aspect (as above) which is far far too common, the chances of meeting a gun toting maniac are infinitessly small! 99.9% of people are good people! Probably more chance of meeting a maniac in a dorm given its transient nature than the risk of old lady who had lived at the house at no 25 for 50 years turning up with an AK47!NEVER - unless I was dying from a gunshot or something. Could be dangerous - for either party. As much as we may not want to think so - the world is a dangerous place if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time - and meet the WRONG person.
I 100% agree that females should never ask males and as a male wouldn’t never ask a female on her own. That would be daft! But I do think this is a bit of a leap! If you avoid risking the sexual harassment aspect (as above) which is far far too common, the chances of meeting a gun toting maniac are infinitessly small! 99.9% of people are good people! Probably more chance of meeting a maniac in a dorm given its transient nature than the risk of old lady who had lived at the house at no 25 for 50 years turning up with an AK47!
Yup, I got a similar gut feeling. It feels indeed like imposing yourself on people and taking advantange of the kindness of people. And indeed some kind of romantic idea that being a pilgrim entitles you to a free bed, shower and meal. She literally wrote this:PS: It does not sound genuine to me, it sounds too much like social experiment, romanticising the past, trying to engineer a great incredible experience and so on. I may well be wrong but this is my gut reaction.
NEVER - unless I was dying from a gunshot or something. Could be dangerous - for either party. As much as we may not want to think so - the world is a dangerous place if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time - and meet the WRONG person.
Well, we have to take her word for it. It is not advice that I would give to a new pilgrim starting from the Netherlands. I'd advise to contact the Sint-Jacob associations in the Netherlands and in Belgium to get their lists of accommodation, and consult the online websites of the regional Saint-Jacques associations in France to do the same, make use of youth hostels, gîtes, stay in chez l'habitant rooms, B&Bs. Numerous people have of course camped all the way to the Pyrenees, i.e for 2 months.She literally wrote this:
'What I used to do in Belgium and France is ringing at people's doors and telling them that I am on my way to Santiago. They almost always offered me to stay with them. Such beautiful contacts.'
When I responded having troubles with this, she replied.
'It wasn't hard at all. In my experience people are always very helpful. If they didn't want to host me, they knew somebody else and made a few phone calls. I never got the impression that people were reluctant to say no. It was a win-win situation. I was happy with a place to sleep and they were happy to help someone.'
True. In lots of villages there is absolutely nothing. No bar, no bakery... That is why you'll have to prepare when you want to walk through Belgium and (northern) France. Know your options beforehand. I sometimes carried food for 2 days.Oh, I just remembered: Asking at a bar in rural France on the way from the Belgium border to the Pyrenees isn't as easy as one might think. First of all you have to find a bar that is open ...
"Il n'y a aucun commerce" - there is nothing here. So says the guidebook. So say the locals.In lots of villages there is absolutely nothing. No bar, no bakery...
I have never done it personally, though I can understand that those who are young, personable, in need, and just good people generally can do this. Asking someone in a village is not knocking on their door.I am just curious what your opinion is on this. Would you knock on doors on quiet Caminos to ask for a place to stay?
I have come across such things on these Ways of Saint James and Saint Peter from time to time.PS: It does not sound genuine to me
That happened on the very first afternoon/evening of my very first Camino -- and there were four of us, clueless and with no idea whatsoever about how this pilgrimage thing even worked in the first place. None of us with very much in the way of cash either.Other forum members have described instances where local residents have approached them and offered lodging.
Last time I asked to stay in the barn was this January, on my Way between SJPP and Lourdes and after a quite miserable wet & muddy day of boots sinking into the sod, and I got the barn -- was the boiler room in there at least, which helped with the cold, and it did have a light bulb, which was good for my book. Also a chair !!Once I *did* ask for a spot in the barn at a farm, because of a bad storm that had surprised me, and I couldn't make it to the next campsite. No public transport, no taxi, no hotel ect. closeby, not even a bar or shop. I panicked because of the storm. Wouldn't have dared to ask normally, but I was desperate, having a full blown panic attack, and there was a safe haven in form of a barn only a few hundred meters away, and the farmer right in front of it. I only asked to wait in the barn for an hour or so until the storm hopefully got less intense. But the farmer and his wife invited me to stay, not in the barn but in their guest room. True hospitality. The storm continued all night, and I was so thankful for not having to be out there in the tent, potentially wild camping. I was embarrassed, too, though!
Exactly. IMHO knocking on doors should be saved for emergencies.I have come across such things on these Ways of Saint James and Saint Peter from time to time.
But there's one pretty basic rule in the midst of it -- if you don't need, don't ask.
Exactly, it shouldn't be your Plan A.Exactly. IMHO knocking on doors should be saved for emergencies.
Yes, as I've heard it told. Also Quinta da Burra (before Santarém on the CP, no longer operational).Isn't this how Casa Fernanda came into being?
I think people know about you, your home and hospitality because you have had a big presence on this forum over the years and word got out of your generosity. I myself sought to meet you when I walked through Moratinos; only to stop in to say "hi". I was disappointed when your husband answered the door with his dogs and said you were in Madrid. At the time I thought you did have a donativo albergue, but it must have been a misconception. I have read your book "A Furnace full if God", which seemed to indicate many pilgrims have stayed overnight for a meal and lodging.My husband and I live in a very small village on the Camino Frances. We do not have an albergue, but people knock on our door with some frequency.
That's wonderful what you are doing and the radical Camino hospitality is something to cherish. I have had wonderful encounters as well with people offering me help, a ride or just a cup of tea on a cold and rainy day.My husband and I live in a very small village on the Camino Frances. We do not have an albergue, but people knock on our door with some frequency. If they aren't drunk or covered in blood, we usually let them come in. Sometimes they stay.
Usually they find us because a neighbor showed them the way over. If we don't feel like having guests for some reason, we'll give them money to get a bed at one of the albergues. If the albergues are closed, we'll give them a ride into Sahagun, or call a cab for them if they have money.
So far, after 17 years, nothing horrible has happened to us.
This is radical hospitality. It's how the Camino has worked for a thousand years. Pilgrims sometimes have to roll the dice and take a chance. And sometimes the homeowner does, too. More often than not it's a win/win.
Isn't this how Casa Fernanda came into being?
A peregrina knocked on Fernanda and Jacinto's door one night looking for help/shelter as she had nowhere to stay. At the time F&J were only vaguely aware of the camino that ran outside their house.Yes, as I've heard it told. Also Quinta da Burra (before Santarém on the CP, no longer operational).
Indeed. A wonderful place.Many many pilgrims (myself included) are thankful that she knocked.
For me, the key word is "desperate" and I would have to be in order to consider ringing a doorbell. OTOH, if a person is bold enough to ask for a bed, whatever the reason, the homeowner can always "just say NO".on further reflection if desperate, I would
To be honest, I don't think it would be that easy to say no. For feelings of guilt and maybe also religious reasons. I think people would feel obliged to do at least something, especially if a middle aged female pilgrim on her own knocks on your door.For me, the key word is "desperate" and I would have to be in order to consider ringing a doorbell. OTOH, if a person is bold enough to ask for a bed, whatever the reason, the homeowner can always "just say NO".
Sorry you were disappointed. Our house has never been a donativo albergue, it's just a house that plays backup for the local albergues. The confusion arises, I think, from the role I play as hospitality chair of Fraternidad Internacional del Camino de Santiago (FICS) -- I oversee non-profit municipal albergues on three Spanish caminos. Paddy and I are getting older, and we don't host many pilgrims at our house these days outside the winter season. I only occasionally serve as an albergue hospitalera, but after 20 years I can throw down a hospitality-related opinion with the best of them!I think people know about you, your home and hospitality because you have had a big presence on this forum over the years and word got out of your generosity. I myself sought to meet you when I walked through Moratinos; only to stop in to say "hi". I was disappointed when your husband answered the door with his dogs and said you were in Madrid. At the time I thought you did have a donativo albergue, but it must have been a misconception. I have read your book "A Furnace full if God", which seemed to indicate many pilgrims have stayed overnight for a meal and lodging.
Some years ago I approached a solo German female pilgrim here on the local " Roman Road ". She was walking the GR from German Aachen to French Amiens where her son was studying.
She walked to the next bigger town.There is a youthostel but way out of the city centre so I asked her if she wanted to stay in my spare room.
I made some extra dinner and we had a nice chat ( we share the same first name and the same profession ) . She was also happy to be able to use a decent shower. Day before, in Tongeren, she stayed in the local parishhouse where there was no hot water.
Again, interesting encounter and conversation.Until then I never had met someone from former Eastern Germany so it was quite a revelation to hear about her youth and education.
But sorry to the honest men : I would never ask a solo male pilgrim to stay.
I could never do this! I would personally be turned off, if someone came up to me outside and asked if I wanted to”earn an “easy” €20” by putting him up (and de facto likely expecting food). If I couldn’t get a taxi, and was in a crisis, like a bad snow storm, I might seek out someone for assistance, but I wouldn’t start by offering them money. And in my opinion, taking in a stranger, overnight is not so “easy”.For me it would depend how you ask. If I was desparate and I saw a group of older people chatting I might go up and say ‘anyone want to earn an easy €20’ with a smile.
Sure. It would be a light hearted approach, very general and open with no expectation. I am rubbish at most things but quite good with the cheeky request. I certainly wouldn’t expect any food or any fuss. Probably wouldn’t pay off but would be happy to chance my arm! All about manner and tone. Not suggesting it would be easy, just an opening gambit! And it’s a general thing nothing to do with being on a hike to SDC.I could never do this! I would personally be turned off, if someone came up to me outside and asked if I wanted to”earn an “easy” €20” by putting him up (and de facto likely expecting food). If I couldn’t get a taxi, and was in a crisis, like a bad snow storm, I might seek out someone for assistance, but I wouldn’t start by offering them money. And in my opinion, taking in a stranger, overnight is not so “easy”.
I just slept in a bus shelter on the RV, it was perfect! And with five kids in tow from le puy to Santiago I slept in worse places than that.There's no way I'd knock on someone's door that isn't a pension or similar. I'd sooner sleep in a bus shelter, though not that that would happen either as I always book in advance.
I am just curious what your opinion is on this. Would you knock on doors on quiet Caminos to ask for a place to stay?
I saw this advice being given to a pilgrim who will start her Camino in the Netherlands and walk through Belgium and France. The person who gave this advice says she has done this herself. She used to rang the doorbell at houses in villages where there was no albergue or other pilgrims facility to ask for a place to stay. She said that it was a win-win, because people generally like to help out and she had interesting encounters with locals this way.
I have walked from Amsterdam to Santiago as well, but this would never have occurred to me. I sometimes went to the local townhall or police station to ask about options to stay, but I never rang at doorbells (apart from maybe once to ask for water). It was my free choice to walk there and if there was no pilgrims lodging I would book a chambre d'hôtes or hotel.
And also, if your house was on a less traveled Camino route, would you let pilgrims who ring your doorbell stay with you?
No, I will never do this except for asking water. (We only walk in Spain) First at all you could ask advice at the ayuntamiento or the local police. They will certainly help you.I am just curious what your opinion is on this. Would you knock on doors on quiet Caminos to ask for a place to stay?
I saw this advice being given to a pilgrim who will start her Camino in the Netherlands and walk through Belgium and France. The person who gave this advice says she has done this herself. She used to rang the doorbell at houses in villages where there was no albergue or other pilgrims facility to ask for a place to stay. She said that it was a win-win, because people generally like to help out and she had interesting encounters with locals this way.
I have walked from Amsterdam to Santiago as well, but this would never have occurred to me. I sometimes went to the local townhall or police station to ask about options to stay, but I never rang at doorbells (apart from maybe once to ask for water). It was my free choice to walk there and if there was no pilgrims lodging I would book a chambre d'hôtes or hotel.
And also, if your house was on a less traveled Camino route, would you let pilgrims who ring your doorbell stay with you?
Never! The problem with the question is it infers that residents along the Camino are expected to be receptive to walkers requests. Which could result in the opposite. When a true emergency arises pilgrims could encounter unanswered doors and ignored request because of too many inconsiderate interruptions in their daily life.I am just curious what your opinion is on this. Would you knock on doors on quiet Caminos to ask for a place to stay?
I saw this advice being given to a pilgrim who will start her Camino in the Netherlands and walk through Belgium and France. The person who gave this advice says she has done this herself. She used to rang the doorbell at houses in villages where there was no albergue or other pilgrims facility to ask for a place to stay. She said that it was a win-win, because people generally like to help out and she had interesting encounters with locals this way.
I have walked from Amsterdam to Santiago as well, but this would never have occurred to me. I sometimes went to the local townhall or police station to ask about options to stay, but I never rang at doorbells (apart from maybe once to ask for water). It was my free choice to walk there and if there was no pilgrims lodging I would book a chambre d'hôtes or hotel.
And also, if your house was on a less traveled Camino route, would you let pilgrims who ring your doorbell stay with you?
Me neither unless I lost a good portion of the common sense I bring along with me.I would never do this, myself.
I'm American and would never do that. Learned from an early age not to do that. It would be for me like hitchhiking as a lone woman. That said the Camino has taught me to accept and be grateful for the kindness of strangers.I am just curious what your opinion is on this. Would you knock on doors on quiet Caminos to ask for a place to stay?
I saw this advice being given to a pilgrim who will start her Camino in the Netherlands and walk through Belgium and France. The person who gave this advice says she has done this herself. She used to rang the doorbell at houses in villages where there was no albergue or other pilgrims facility to ask for a place to stay. She said that it was a win-win, because people generally like to help out and she had interesting encounters with locals this way.
I have walked from Amsterdam to Santiago as well, but this would never have occurred to me. I sometimes went to the local townhall or police station to ask about options to stay, but I never rang at doorbells (apart from maybe once to ask for water). It was my free choice to walk there and if there was no pilgrims lodging I would book a chambre d'hôtes or hotel.
And also, if your house was on a less traveled Camino route, would you let pilgrims who ring your doorbell stay with you?
Call one of the many & cheap taxis to the next ( or last ) stop for a albergueI am just curious what your opinion is on this. Would you knock on doors on quiet Caminos to ask for a place to stay?
I saw this advice being given to a pilgrim who will start her Camino in the Netherlands and walk through Belgium and France. The person who gave this advice says she has done this herself. She used to rang the doorbell at houses in villages where there was no albergue or other pilgrims facility to ask for a place to stay. She said that it was a win-win, because people generally like to help out and she had interesting encounters with locals this way.
I have walked from Amsterdam to Santiago as well, but this would never have occurred to me. I sometimes went to the local townhall or police station to ask about options to stay, but I never rang at doorbells (apart from maybe once to ask for water). It was my free choice to walk there and if there was no pilgrims lodging I would book a chambre d'hôtes or hotel.
And also, if your house was on a less traveled Camino route, would you let pilgrims who ring your doorbell stay with you?
Beyond awkward. And with my luck, I'd end up knocking on Hannibal Lector's door!So it isn't just me who finds this a little awkward? I can imagine 20 years ago it could have been slightly different, but nowadays even routes through Belgium and northern France are not that less-travelled anymore. If every pilgrim passing by would do this, people in those villages would have to put 'completo' signs on their doors...
I can't imagine knocking on doors of homes. I have banged on doors at albergues, have gone to bars, town halls and police stations as the usual courses of action. Even so, there have been four times when we simply sat down in a square and waited for someone to come to our rescue, with our backpacks and shells obvious to anyone. Only once did we have to wait more than 20 minutes for someone to come up to us and ask if needed any assistance. In each case, they led us to someone else who knew where we could stay. We are true blue believers that the camino provides!I am just curious what your opinion is on this. Would you knock on doors on quiet Caminos to ask for a place to stay?
I saw this advice being given to a pilgrim who will start her Camino in the Netherlands and walk through Belgium and France. The person who gave this advice says she has done this herself. She used to rang the doorbell at houses in villages where there was no albergue or other pilgrims facility to ask for a place to stay. She said that it was a win-win, because people generally like to help out and she had interesting encounters with locals this way.
I have walked from Amsterdam to Santiago as well, but this would never have occurred to me. I sometimes went to the local townhall or police station to ask about options to stay, but I never rang at doorbells (apart from maybe once to ask for water). It was my free choice to walk there and if there was no pilgrims lodging I would book a chambre d'hôtes or hotel.
And also, if your house was on a less traveled Camino route, would you let pilgrims who ring your doorbell stay with you?
But was that in the Netherlands and in Belgium and in the north and middle of France?We are true blue believers that the camino provides!
Hi!I am just curious what your opinion is on this. Would you knock on doors on quiet Caminos to ask for a place to stay?
I saw this advice being given to a pilgrim who will start her Camino in the Netherlands and walk through Belgium and France. The person who gave this advice says she has done this herself. She used to rang the doorbell at houses in villages where there was no albergue or other pilgrims facility to ask for a place to stay. She said that it was a win-win, because people generally like to help out and she had interesting encounters with locals this way.
I have walked from Amsterdam to Santiago as well, but this would never have occurred to me. I sometimes went to the local townhall or police station to ask about options to stay, but I never rang at doorbells (apart from maybe once to ask for water). It was my free choice to walk there and if there was no pilgrims lodging I would book a chambre d'hôtes or hotel.
And also, if your house was on a less traveled Camino route, would you let pilgrims who ring your doorbell stay with you?
That is what the Dutch woman wrote as well. But that is only their perspective/interpretation. It is very likely that they have been hosted by people who found it difficult to say no.I know someone who did this some ten years ago walking from home in Brittanny - to make her camino more afordable. Never had any problem, she said. We have lost contact somehow.
I can see this happening, The circumstances are different, however. You met her outside and had a conversation, She was not soliciting from you. You,on the other hand, were able to make a judgement that, based on conversation and impressions, she would likely not cause you any harm. I’m glad it worked out for you both!
if I couldn’t find a place to stay, I would call a taxi, even if Ihad to travel 50km. Not worth the risk IMO.
This thread reminded me of Ann Sieben, the “Winter Pilgrim.”
Her story is pretty incredible, and she walks with no money, dependent always on the hospitality of others. She has a website, but my ipad tells me it is not secure. So I found this article to give you an introduction if you’ve not heard of her. Turns out she spoke at a recent APOC (American Pilgrims) meeting.
That's quite an article. What an extraordinary woman.So I found this article to give you an introduction if you’ve not heard of her.
Thank you.Sometimes a post sets off a discussion that goes to the heart of the Camino, and for me this is one.
One of the reasons people go on the Camino is that there the hostility and defensive suspicion which prevails in the real world--and is necessary there-- is magically suspended. Bristle Boy describes it well.
Everyone notices this. You most likely don't have a family in the real world, not even in the people who share your blood. And sure, your Camino "family" may fade into indifference once you're all back in the real world, but on the Way, their delight in you is just as true as yours in them. And the real world doesn't "provide" ... A casual glance in doorways on the streets of our cities will show us that.
The outrage we all feel at the misbehaving of a tiny number of the thousands of people on the Way illustrates that. For who would consider petty theft and exhibitionism worthy of comment in the real world, where far worse is a daily unremarkable occurrence?
I know hospitality traditions are dying everywhere and on the Camino also the magic, the dispensation from the dog-eat-dog nihilism of the real world, is fading and will eventually vanish.
I'm glad I won't be around to see it, and I'm very glad that I discovered the Camino and it's magic 7 years ago when I did, when my desire to live in the real world had almost become exhausted.
Where else in the world do strangers greet each other to bless them? By wishing them well? By giving them food, walking poles, blister bandages, money at need? By speaking to them openly and kindly and with acceptance, opening their hearts to them and allowing the others heart to be opened? By volunteering to clean toilets, for nothing, to help them on their Way? Not in the real world, where the stranger is no longer a mysterious, sacred figure with the power to bless and to receive blessings. Only an enemy you haven't made yet.
Yes. I knock on doors often.I am just curious what your opinion is on this. Would you knock on doors on quiet Caminos to ask for a place to stay?
One of the reasons people go on the Camino is that there the hostility and defensive suspicion which prevails in the real world--and is necessary there-- is magically suspended. Bristle Boy describes it well.
Owned by two brothers apparently. They're twins.Here is the "Bollocks bar" in Barcelona...surely the word isn't too bad!
View attachment 154812
"Inuit", (pejorative: Eskimo) meaning "the people", is not ("oops"). It is correct and respectful.Eskimo (oops, Inuit) and Bedouin cultures still have them today, or so they say.
No you aren't the only one to feel uncomfortable with this idea....on many levels.Am I the only one a little uncomfortable with this idea? It is one thing to accept hospitality when offered or help when needed, but to boldly knock on someone´s door and ask for a place to stay when you don´t need it goes against the grain for me. It could be construed as taking advantage of someone´s generosity and could easily be abused, especially when there is a clear wealth difference between the giver and the recipient in favour of the latter. If a total stranger knocked on your door one night, would you invite them in to stay the night?
Yes. I knock on doors often.
There a lot of truth thereSomehow I find this subject of "tapping on doors" to see if they would accept a request for overnight accomodation a little disturbing.
I always taught my children to never accept sweets from strangers, never to get into a car with a stranger and when in trouble to seek help from a policeman in uniform or someone in a shop or public place.
This advice is being put on its head by adults who should know better and know nothing of the person who answers the door. You may be a pilgrim on a camino route but that might not apply to the householder.
There are enough threads concerned with womens safety, flashers etc.and this custom (which I hope gains no traction) is fraught with potential risk and danger.
The Camino provides is one thing, but foreign pilgrim imposes is quite another.
You can always take a taxi to the next villageThis, 100%.
It would have to be dire indeed to go knock on someone's door.
You can always take a taxi to the next village
I’m surprised how little they charge , I went on a side trip with three others for E 35 and yes it was divided up but sure worth itNot everyone has the finances for a taxi. So they will have to walk or take public transport.
If I am going to travel across an ocean and don't have a few extra euros for a taxi, a bus, or a trip to the doctor, I have done myself an enormous disservice by not planning well enough to take care of myself when the inevitable challenge happens.Not everyone has the finances for a taxi. So they will have to walk or take public transport.
Check outI am just curious what your opinion is on this. Would you knock on doors on quiet Caminos to ask for a place to stay?
I saw this advice being given to a pilgrim who will start her Camino in the Netherlands and walk through Belgium and France. The person who gave this advice says she has done this herself. She used to rang the doorbell at houses in villages where there was no albergue or other pilgrims facility to ask for a place to stay. She said that it was a win-win, because people generally like to help out and she had interesting encounters with locals this way.
I have walked from Amsterdam to Santiago as well, but this would never have occurred to me. I sometimes went to the local townhall or police station to ask about options to stay, but I never rang at doorbells (apart from maybe once to ask for water). It was my free choice to walk there and if there was no pilgrims lodging I would book a chambre d'hôtes or hotel.
And also, if your house was on a less traveled Camino route, would you let pilgrims who ring your doorbell stay with you?
If I am going to travel across an ocean and don't have a few extra euros for a taxi, a bus, or a trip to the doctor, I have done myself an enormous disservice by not planning well enough to take care of myself when the inevitable challenge happens.
I get pilgrimage. I get sacrifice. I also get not setting yourself up to fail if something goes pearshaped...and something always will.
I have been in parts of rural France wherre this is not possible and where there are no public facilities at all in the village (no bar, no shop, etc, and only the mairie open on two half-days) so while this can sometimes be managed, there are times and places where it can't be. I have found that stopping cars would result in the driver calling for a taxi for me but more often they would give me a lift to the next place (a practice not without risks).You can always take a taxi to the next village
Some of us don't have to travel across an ocean.If I am going to travel across an ocean and don't have a few extra euros for a taxi, a bus, or a trip to the doctor, I have done myself an enormous disservice by not planning well enough to take care of myself when the inevitable challenge happens.
I get pilgrimage. I get sacrifice. I also get not setting yourself up to fail if something goes pearshaped...and something always will.
If I am going to travel across an ocean and don't have a few extra euros for a taxi, a bus, or a trip to the doctor, I have done myself an enormous disservice by not planning well enough to take care of myself when the inevitable challenge happens.
I get pilgrimage. I get sacrifice. I also get not setting yourself up to fail if something goes pearshaped...and something always will.
Thanks for bringing in a European perspective!I am talking from a European viewpoint where healthcare is practically free, where public transport is relatively cheap and available and a taxi still a special treat.
And I know lots of pilgrims who might not be poor in economical terms but still need to be frugal.
As it happens, the OP started with a European perspective.Thanks for bringing in a European perspective!
Setting yourself up to fail means failing to plan (mentally, financially, logistically) to be able to take care of yourself when the fertilizer hits the ventilation.I get your point that - when people have the budget to take intercontinental flights, they may be expected to also have a budget for the occasional taxi etc. However, only a minority of pilgrims walking a camino (or Chemin, or Jakobsweg, etc) have taken an expensive intercontinental flight before they start walking.
I am not sure if I understand this correctly and how I should understand failure or 'setting yourself up to fail' in the context of a pilgrimage. I can imagine myself knocking on doors to find a place to stay, in exceptional circumstances, on lesser travelled paths. I find it hard to see this as a failure, in fact on the contrary.
Live in the EU? OK. Your safety net doesn't have to be a large or as secure. But you still need to have one.
Don't live in the EU? I promise that doctors and hospitals and taxi drivers and pharmacists and restaurateurs and hoteliers want (indeed *deserve*) to get paid. Plan accordingly.
Setting yourself up to fail means failing to plan (mentally, financially, logistically) to be able to take care of yourself when the fertilizer hits the ventilation.
Don't leave yourself sick or hurt and sleeping rough because you don't have enough to find shelter, feed yourself, or find help.
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