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>Scoutkiely said:I booked the hostel for the night and I'm looking at 20 euro for the accommodation and food that first night. Is this too expensive or am I being to tight with my money? :? I have 950 euro to survive on for the 42 days,
Scoutkiely said:I'm starting my camino from SJPDP on the 15th of May.
Scoutkiely said:Thank you for all your advice! My budget is so low as it is very difficult to save money when there are no jobs available. I have been doing odd jobs and giving lessons for the last few months . I may have about a 1000 euro but that would be it. I guess my hope is that the camino will provide! I am quite a strong walker so I hope to be covering 30 km most days, with more rest days to take pictures. I want to savour each landscape. I also hope to sleep outside for a few nights which will spare me the cost of an Albergue and make the experience more profound. I do have another 750 euro and health insurance. That 750 euro is for emergencies only. I do not expect the camino to be easy but I do not expect it to be too costly either. People did it for years exchanging helping hands for food, sharing meals with others etc.
Scoutkiely said:Hi all,
I was so happy to come across this forum and I can't wait to start my camino. I've gotten my backpack and equipment and I can't wait to start. I'm starting my camino from SJPDP on the 15th of May. Just a few things I wanted to ask those with the experience and helpful advice.
1) I booked the hostel for the night and I'm looking at 20 euro for the accommodation and food that first night. Is this too expensive or am I being to tight with my money? :? I have 950 euro to survive on for the 42 days,
2)I was wondering on the necessity of bringing a poncho/blanket/cushion(it's the one item) during May and June? Will a silk sheet do?
3) Can anyone recommend a good pair of lightweight shorts for me (I'm a tall, athletic female and as a result most shorts keep falling down my hips and flashing passing motorists with my unsightly ass! :shock: ).
4) Are there many places to buy postcards? I want to send one home from each stage along the camino.
5) Are bikini's appropriate wear? I normally avoid them(they are generally useless if you are swimming properly for exercise or sport, everything ends up al fresco!) but they will double up as underwear. I was wondering if the natives would be offended by this type of clothing?
Any comments will be much appreciated, I'm walking alone and can't wait to meet anyone starting from SJPDP on the 15th!
Bien Camino!
endlesstrail said:Scoutkiely said:I'm starting my camino from SJPDP on the 15th of May.
Hi there.
I'm planning to start my camino from SJPDP on the 15th of May as well. How are you getting to SJPDP?
I intend to take the express train from Barcelona to Pamplona and maybe look for a shared taxi to SJPDP.
I'm still trying to plan my transport connections, but it's most likely 15th of May, or worst case scenario, 16th of May.
Bien Camino!
Marcel234 said:I'm leaving St. Jean on THE 14th with my father sister and best friend. We Will be stopping in refuge d'orisson, so I'll see you the 15th in Roncesvalles.
mikevasey said:You can get by on 20 euros a day, you dont even have to starve yourself or go without accommodation. Its just a matter of cutting your cloth accordingly, if you cannot afford cafe con leches 3 or 4 times a day then does it really matter. If you have to prepare your own meals as well, thats not a problem, some of the best meals I have had are pilgrim prepared and shared ones. There are different levels of financial means on the camino and always has been. Whatever yours is, it wont make it any less of one because of that.
Good luck to you and I hope you have a Very Good Camino.
Mike
Camino2010 said:1) I spent much, much less on my second Camino last year than on my first one in 2010 (average was about 15-20 euro per day). I was surprised actually, by how much I saved! I'd taken money out of the ATM at the major stops along the way on my first Camino, and last year I did the same thing except I kept being able to take out less because I still had money left from the last withdrawal. I cooked almost every meal myself or with friends (I only ate three pilgrim meals on the way across, like in Agés for example, where there was no kitchen to cook in). I also only stayed in a hotel once last year (in Cacabelos, totally worth it and I'll stay there next time too!), and I didn't take motorized transport. Your 950 euro will be enough if you're careful with it, and especially with the emergency money you have just in case, I think you'll have more than enough. Others have different opinions and experience, but if I had 950 euro I'd go without hesitation. I met and became friends with people who went with less. And yes, the Camino does provide. (Mm, and as for the first night in SJPP, my first Camino cost about 35 euro there; last year I stayed at the municipal albergue and cooked for myself and it cost about 20 euro.)
2) I haven't walked in May-June yet so I haven't experienced how hot it is then, but there were several nights during September that were hot and sweaty for sleeping. That said, I wouldn't go without my sleeping bag and silk liner (I have a light sleeping bag that's rated for indoor use). I cringe when I see pilgrims lying directly on the mattress at an albergue, or even with arms hanging out of a sleeping bag. As far as I'm concerned, that's asking to be bitten by insects (bedbugs or otherwise). Not sure exactly what you meant by poncho, if it's for rain, I wouldn't be without my Altus. I wouldn't think you'd need your own blanket/cushion. You could go without, see how you do for the first few days, and buy one at El Corte Ingles in Pamplona a few days after SJPP if you're really missing it.
3) Can't help you there, good luck! A belt can be helpful though... a woman I met on my first Camino bought one in Pamplona as her trousers were already looser around her waist by the time we'd walked there from SJPP, and she still has it and uses it.
4) There are lots of places to buy postcards. The bigger towns and cities, of course, and also some albergues sell them. For me, stamps were the trickier thing to get hold of. Yes, most every town has a post office but for some reason I just never got there! I bought postcards in Frómista last year and ended up carrying them all the way to Santiago before I finally wrote and mailed them! I noticed in your introduction post you asked if it's easy to keep in touch on the Camino, and it is. E-mail is possible pretty much all the way along. That said, my mum keeps the postcards I sent her from Spain on her mantel and it's a lovely memory for me whenever I see them.
5) I haven't really seen people on the Camino in bikinis or swimsuits, but both my walks have been in September-October. As far as places to swim, a group of friends stayed an extra day in Portomarin and swam there (the women wore their underwear to swim in, t-shirt over top optional). And many of the people I saw swimming in Fisterra went into the water naked, but that's a tradition for the end of the Camino! (a few of the women had swimsuits though)
Hope all that helps! From what you've written, you have a great attitude towards the adventure you're walking into. Keep your heart open and be amazed at the beauty of it all.
Buen Camino!
Rachel
Scoutkiely said:I've been very lucky with transport as it is I'm flying into Biarittz so unfortunately I can't help you out
Scoutkiely said:Camino2010 said:1) I spent much, much less on my second Camino last year than on my first one in 2010 (average was about 15-20 euro per day). I was surprised actually, by how much I saved! I'd taken money out of the ATM at the major stops along the way on my first Camino, and last year I did the same thing except I kept being able to take out less because I still had money left from the last withdrawal. I cooked almost every meal myself or with friends (I only ate three pilgrim meals on the way across, like in Agés for example, where there was no kitchen to cook in). I also only stayed in a hotel once last year (in Cacabelos, totally worth it and I'll stay there next time too!), and I didn't take motorized transport. Your 950 euro will be enough if you're careful with it, and especially with the emergency money you have just in case, I think you'll have more than enough. Others have different opinions and experience, but if I had 950 euro I'd go without hesitation. I met and became friends with people who went with less. And yes, the Camino does provide. (Mm, and as for the first night in SJPP, my first Camino cost about 35 euro there; last year I stayed at the municipal albergue and cooked for myself and it cost about 20 euro.)
2) I haven't walked in May-June yet so I haven't experienced how hot it is then, but there were several nights during September that were hot and sweaty for sleeping. That said, I wouldn't go without my sleeping bag and silk liner (I have a light sleeping bag that's rated for indoor use). I cringe when I see pilgrims lying directly on the mattress at an albergue, or even with arms hanging out of a sleeping bag. As far as I'm concerned, that's asking to be bitten by insects (bedbugs or otherwise). Not sure exactly what you meant by poncho, if it's for rain, I wouldn't be without my Altus. I wouldn't think you'd need your own blanket/cushion. You could go without, see how you do for the first few days, and buy one at El Corte Ingles in Pamplona a few days after SJPP if you're really missing it.
3) Can't help you there, good luck! A belt can be helpful though... a woman I met on my first Camino bought one in Pamplona as her trousers were already looser around her waist by the time we'd walked there from SJPP, and she still has it and uses it.
4) There are lots of places to buy postcards. The bigger towns and cities, of course, and also some albergues sell them. For me, stamps were the trickier thing to get hold of. Yes, most every town has a post office but for some reason I just never got there! I bought postcards in Frómista last year and ended up carrying them all the way to Santiago before I finally wrote and mailed them! I noticed in your introduction post you asked if it's easy to keep in touch on the Camino, and it is. E-mail is possible pretty much all the way along. That said, my mum keeps the postcards I sent her from Spain on her mantel and it's a lovely memory for me whenever I see them.
5) I haven't really seen people on the Camino in bikinis or swimsuits, but both my walks have been in September-October. As far as places to swim, a group of friends stayed an extra day in Portomarin and swam there (the women wore their underwear to swim in, t-shirt over top optional). And many of the people I saw swimming in Fisterra went into the water naked, but that's a tradition for the end of the Camino! (a few of the women had swimsuits though)
Hope all that helps! From what you've written, you have a great attitude towards the adventure you're walking into. Keep your heart open and be amazed at the beauty of it all.
Buen Camino!
Rachel
Thank you for all your advice and kind words Rachel! This has really helped! €35 the first night?! Are all places as expensive as SJPDP, or are the nights of €5 beds a thing of the past? The poncho/sleeping bag/seat is a three in one contraption I got in a shop. Very good at all three jobs, I must say! I'm really happy to hear about your experience on the camino, thanks for replying!
Dee
Camino2010 said:Rachel
P.S. Part of my adventure was keeping straight the exchange rate between euros and Canadian dollars! To a certain extent, I found out the hard way in 2010 that whatever the cost was in euros, it would come out to be about a third more in my currency. If you're used to using euros, I'd guess that won't be an issue for you.
endlesstrail said:No worries. I found out that there's a transport option called "Express Burricot" which bring me directly from Pamplona to SJPdP. I'm quite on track to starting on the 15th May. Now I just need to decide if I want to make it a nice and easy start by stopping in Orisson, or make the push straight to Roncesvalles in one day.
Decision decisions... :?:
Bien Camino,
Kenny
Marcel234 said:I've been on The Frances à few times and 5eu albergues are the exception. Keep in mind that it will be between 8 and 12 euro's. Most of them are 10. I was on the Via de la Plata in 2011 and was surprised by the 5 eu albergues.
On the other side. I met a lot!!! Of pilgrims on a budget. I bet you can a list in St.jean OR on the internet with prices of the albergues.
Grtzzz
Olivares said:Couple of notes on your questions:
1) 20 Euro for albergue and dinner is not unreasonable, but if you are on a budget, that is your upper limit. Hopefully it includes breakfast in the AM, right?
I got one of those sleeping bag liners in the end in my local mountain shop, they didn't have any silk liners although this one is really light and should do the job!Olivares said:2) A raincoat Poncho is a necessity, not an option. A silk sheet is a good idea because it can be used in many practical ways and it lightweight.
Olivares said:3) If you are going to wear shorts might as well try spandex/biking shorts with the longer T-shirt for comfort. Any other type of short only if cargo type. Shorts are really not the best idea for this type hiking. This is really not a leisure hike.
Olivares said:4) Postcards are readily available in all medium and larger cities. Buy a bunch and mail as you go and mail one/day a week to avoid the stop/go looking for a post office.
Olivares said:5) Bikinis are appropriate wear at the beach or at the pool. The Camino originated as a religious pilgrimage and, as such, it is peppered with many churches, ermitas, santuaries, places of religious meditation and devotion. These places come unexpectedly sometimes. There is, typically, a dress code for these places whether you subscribe to those beliefs or not. Yes, natives and non-natives may be deeply offended if you do not respect the dress code. I suggest you be ready to cover with a T-shirt/pants if you decide to go into any such places along the Camino. Swimwear is a great idea to bring, just be wise about it.
Olivares said:Have a great time, remember good foot care is crucial. I walked the Camino last year. This year I will be starting in Pamplona on 17 May! maybe I'll get to meet you!
Buen Camino!
Scoutkiely said:mikevasey wrote:
You can get by on 20 euros a day, you dont even have to starve yourself or go without accommodation. Its just a matter of cutting your cloth accordingly, if you cannot afford cafe con leches 3 or 4 times a day then does it really matter. If you have to prepare your own meals as well, thats not a problem, some of the best meals I have had are pilgrim prepared and shared ones. There are different levels of financial means on the camino and always has been. Whatever yours is, it wont make it any less of one because of that.
Good luck to you and I hope you have a Very Good Camino.
Mike
Thank you for taking to time to reply Mike! I am actually getting so excited about setting off, in 5 weeks, I shall be walking from SJPDP to Roncesvalles! Hard to believe! I had hoped my budget wouldn't hold me off, but I am a country girl and if we are anything, we are practical! I really thank you for your positive words, it made me feel better!
Dee
fionamcc said:Am vegan, fairly fit & planning on walking approx 30k a day but also taking in the scenery & appreciating my surroundings, stopping off where / when I feel like it. Hope to get to Finisterra at the end too.
Have given myself a 6-week timescale.
Yet to book accommodation for the first night.
Have you got your passport yet?
I have set up a Blog and would be great to keep in contact / compare preparation notes etc!
Fiona
http://onestepfurtherfm.wordpress.com/
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