staciesthings
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- April (2014)
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I just returned from the Camino Frances.... changed my life for the better in so many ways. My only peeve were the "pilgrims" along the way asking for money. This happened three times. It wouldn't have bugged me if their stories weren't so lame. 1) a german man in logroño saying his credit cards were cut up in Santiago and he was trying to get to the embassy in Madrid (wrong way dude!) 2) not even going to tell this sortie because he got me with his 6 week old puppy 3) a guy outside of melide saying he had walked from France (me too! ) and he needed money for the next albergue (me too!). One word. ..donativo! If I ran out of money on the Camino, you make plenty of friends and your Camino family will help you out. Just venting. ... anyone else? Otherwise. ... I'm going back to do the Camino del Norte in 16 months.... I'm addicted and have only been home 10 days.
Exactly this happened to me and in the same place! Yes, it’s easy to say that begging on the Camino is «bottom of the barrel» and that «the Camino family will help out»; how so, if everybody would «just keeps on walking»? Sure, obvious liars get a "no", as none of us likes to be taken for a sucker. But then, anyone begging on the Camino must be pretty desperate and a good story is always worth a few coins to me. Unlike those slick business-types that have royally screwed me big time in my life, these beggars do it to survive.I agree 110% with offering to help with food or even lodging. It very rapidly sorts out the recipient's motives. Sometimes, however, "stuff" happens and people legitimately need a hand. I unexpectedly ran out of cash en route to Foncebaddon (mistakenly thought I still had a 50E note stashed to get us through to Molinaseca). Another pilgrim overheard the conversation between my son and I, and he offered us a bocadillo for each of us for that night and another for each of us for the next day, which allowed us to stretch our final euros at the albergue. I repaid him in spades (actually wine and steak) when I met up with him in Molinaseca.
give and take in the true spirit of the Camino, at least she had an original idea to finance hers!I met a cute, young eastern-European woman in the albergue at Azorfa......
I am cautious about anyone asking for money, but often is it just begging, rather than a scam. I don't have a difficulty saying no in either circumstance, but it annoys me when I see forum members taken in by stories that appear to be classic begging lines. We have recently had the 'lost 1000 euro that has just been withdrawn from the cash machine' which must be the foundation line for many thousands of beggars. It wouldn't take many 2 or 5 euro donations to make it a lucrative day. Provided they aren't suggesting that it will be returned to you, eg with a profit, it doesn't sound like a scam.I came across a couple of these pilgrims asking for money this year, and my first reaction was that it was a scam and they were not actually pilgrims. Anyone else feel this way? I would think that a destitute pilgrim might be more inclined to go to an albergue and offer work exchange. But never having been in their boots...
First, I love the mixed metaphor Rocket Surgery. I'm going to use it in the future! Next, I like your idea of keeping a few bucks separated for "donation purposes." It will make the exchange quicker, more discrete, and safer. Good tip.Ditto, Christine!
One thing I am careful about though is NOT revealing where I keep my 'cash stash'. Since I can be (not always) a "sucker" with cash, I keep the 3-4 euros per day that I might be coaxed to part with in a coat or shirt pocket that holds nothing else.
Donating is one thing. Showing an observer where to reach for your money is another.
Offering food and drink, I do every time and it was my observation that most folks did the same. Compassionate, safe...... and refused about 90% of the time.
B
BTW, does someone remember a thread here dedicated to scams? I seem to remember it but cannot put my finger on it in the time I have available at the moment. I seem to remember the "German guy" with the cut-up credit cards being in it. I met up with him both times I have been out and it was at Logrono. It is a pretty bogus story; I mean - - debit card replacement is not exactly rocket surgery. Still, he stung quite a few folks from tales I heard later.
....
The same warnings must be carefully heeded in the albergues with your money and valuables. The scammers also know about the easy pickings with trusting pilgrims.
They often pose as fellow pilgrims....sometimes offering to "watch" your stuff while you shower or do something else. The result is obvious....
There is a series of books written by a priest from Buffalo NY. The one book I remember is one called Joshua. My son who's name is Joshua gave it to me for Christmas many years ago. I read the book. It is about Christ returning to our current world in many forms. As a simple person, as a beggar. He came back and was looking for a hand out from many people. Most people turned him away, those who could afford it the most. Then Christ asked a man who was also down and out, this man of course shared with Christ what he had, as little as it was. Christ then revealed himself to the man who life from that point changed for the better. My point is that we are all the children of Christ. You never know who the beggar might be.I just returned from the Camino Frances.... changed my life for the better in so many ways. My only peeve were the "pilgrims" along the way asking for money. This happened three times. It wouldn't have bugged me if their stories weren't so lame. 1) a german man in logroño saying his credit cards were cut up in Santiago and he was trying to get to the embassy in Madrid (wrong way dude!) 2) not even going to tell this sortie because he got me with his 6 week old puppy 3) a guy outside of melide saying he had walked from France (me too! ) and he needed money for the next albergue (me too!). One word. ..donativo! If I ran out of money on the Camino, you make plenty of friends and your Camino family will help you out. Just venting. ... anyone else? Otherwise. ... I'm going back to do the Camino del Norte in 16 months.... I'm addicted and have only been home 10 days.
I hope the single barometer of charity is not what one gives to street people. I have given tens of thousands of dollars and at least as many hours doing community service personally and through Boy Scouts and Lions International. (Example: $4,000 annually for Christmas food baskets through my twelve-member Lions Club.) I rarely give anything in the street. I unapologetically confess to being guilt-free!!It is about Christ returning to our current world in many forms. As a simple person, as a beggar. He came back and was looking for a hand out from many people. Most people turned him away, those who could afford it the most. Then Christ asked a man who was also down and out, this man of course shared with Christ what he had, as little as it was.
Don't be taken in by the girls pretending to be dumb and asking for money and your address. They are gypsies and there is nothing wrong with them. I can't remember where they are exactly (between Sarria and Santiago) but I came across them in July and September last year.
I read the book. It is about Christ returning to our current world in many forms. As a simple person, as a beggar.
I just returned from the Camino Frances.... changed my life for the better in so many ways. My only peeve were the "pilgrims" along the way asking for money. This happened three times. It wouldn't have bugged me if their stories weren't so lame. 1) a german man in logroño saying his credit cards were cut up in Santiago and he was trying to get to the embassy in Madrid (wrong way dude!)
I give to the poor (in more ways than one!) and never really needed any "Master" to tell me to...so I think am good thereWe are told by the masters of every religion to give to the poor.
They don't specify which ones.
Whenever someone asks me for money, I give him whatever change is in my pocket. I never run short.
Life is too short to judge the motives of the people who are just asking for scraps. That could so easily be me someday.
So were smallpox and dysentery!A camino without beggars and thiefs would not be an authentic pigrimage. They are part of a long tradition.
Wow, when I lose my wallet on the camino, I will be sure to go a long way on all that affection, advice, and direction!
The camino is becoming noticeably more harsh these days, and it is not because of too many people asking for help.
I think it´s because of too many people, for whatever reason, are unwilling to offer any.
Give him some change, and let it go at that. What he does with it is not a concern.
A camino without beggars and thiefs would not be an authentic pilgrimage. They are part of a long tradition.
Ahhhhhh! Those were the days!!So were smallpox and dysentery!
... Just watch your pockets while you fill in that form...
Maybe the Camino is noticeably harsher because many who walk are looking for a cheap walking holiday and nothing more.
Even those looking for "spirituality" aren't looking to follow religious teachings.
Oh dear, I wasn't intending to offend. Some of the most moral, kind people I know are atheists - who act for the betterment of humanity. They are innately good or know that is the way for human flourishing. I do think there are selfish self-centric people who go looking for experiences without any intellectual, moral or ethical connection.
I will delete the post.
I agree. God has blessed me so I give at home and on the street. The angle of God who is in need at that time just might with my help be able to get out of his immediate problem have a meal and look to help someone. One never knows who is in front of his asking for help. Are we being tested?We are told by the masters of every religion to give to the poor.
They don't specify which ones.
Whenever someone asks me for money, I give him whatever change is in my pocket. I never run short.
Life is too short to judge the motives of the people who are just asking for scraps. That could so easily be me someday.
I was loth to inter this thread because they rarely end well, but here is my tuppence worth: My mother, God rest her, always said when we encountered beggars, drunks and other unfortunates, always remember, there go I but for the Grace of God. With this always in mind I give what I can, what they choose to do with it after is their business.
I was loth to inter this thread because they rarely end well, but here is my tuppence worth: My mother, God rest her, always said when we encountered beggars, drunks and other unfortunates, always remember, there go I but for the Grace of God. With this always in mind I give what I can, what they choose to do with it after is their business.
there is an old irish saying which resonates with thisThere is a series of books written by a priest from Buffalo NY. The one book I remember is one called Joshua. My son who's name is Joshua gave it to me for Christmas many years ago. I read the book. It is about Christ returning to our current world in many forms. As a simple person, as a beggar. He came back and was looking for a hand out from many people. Most people turned him away, those who could afford it the most. Then Christ asked a man who was also down and out, this man of course shared with Christ what he had, as little as it was. Christ then revealed himself to the man who life from that point changed for the better. My point is that we are all the children of Christ. You never know who the beggar might be.
totally agree with your heartfelt messageI don't fear being labeled a sucker. I fear owning a hardened heart. When I was a young mother and very poor, I prayed (and worked) for enough money to live well and give well. The money it takes for me to travel proves that I finally have more than enough. Sharing a few bucks can't hurt me, and it doesn't really matter if its a scam. Because at the end of the day, I still have more than enough - and that is a prayer answered.
In the Jewish religion there is the belief that there are lamed vavniks, thirty six people who hold up the world in disguise, also Elijah who can appear often at our table in the form of the stranger who asks of our hospitalitythere is an old irish saying which resonates with this
"often often"
cries the lark
"goes the Christ
in the stranger's guise"
In our wealth obsessed society we must beware the hardening heart.
the malingerer.
... My mother, God rest her, always said when we encountered beggars, drunks and other unfortunates, always remember, there go I but for the Grace of God.
Wayfarer my mum used to say exactly the same... I've found myself repeating this to my son on numerous occasions... along with do as you would be done by - which was another of my mum's favourites.
So this happened to me...a pilgrim walked out of a bar and two minutes later the owner/worker said. ... He didn't pay! So I paid the €2.50. I saw the guya couple of days later and told him the story and he absolutely knew that he paid for he and his friend! Two sides to every story. ... Just saying. ... It actually made me laugh. Btw.....I got scammed hard in Paris. .. They are professionals. Look up the top ten paris scams on Google..... They have the mute girls with the clipboards listedI genuinely ran out of money in Belorado because I had to pay a dinner bill for a pilgrim in our group who accidentally forgot to pay. By the time I got to San Juan I realized I had to get to Burgos or I wouldn't eat. A very kind pilgrim from my country have me $20 euros in case I didn't make it to Burgos ( 4 new blisters) so...please remember...the Camino gives and takes..I will mail this generous pilgrim all his money back with a very greatful thank you note!
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You will save money taking the train (bus at the moment) to SJPdP instead of a taxi.I am a person in need which is why I walk the Camino. I am walking for I need to re-center myself. I have been out of sorts for a few years dating back to a divorce almost 20 years now, a new marriage to a loving wife, being fired from the best job in the world and now retired feeling empty. So when you see me along the Camino please give to me for I am a pilgrim in need.
I think there might have been a suggestion in another thread that someone was taking a taxi. Perhaps crying poor and catching a cab across the Pyrenees to start in SJPP aren't entirely consistent.Oops a little disconnected here or did I miss something
I may be wrong, but I think the 'needy' post being referred to here was meant to be tongue-in-cheek - the poster seemed to be saying all of us pilgrims are 'in need', but not all of us in need of cash - some of us need space, love, time and understanding. I understood the poster to be suggesting that, were any of us to meet him along the way, he would like generous donations of these things, rather than coinsI think there might have been a suggestion in another thread that someone was taking a taxi. Perhaps crying poor and catching a cab across the Pyrenees to start in SJPP aren't entirely consistent.
I was loth to inter this thread because they rarely end well, but here is my tuppence worth: My mother, God rest her, always said when we encountered beggars, drunks and other unfortunates, always remember, there go I but for the Grace of God. With this always in mind I give what I can, what they choose to do with it after is their business.
I was reflecting on someone else's interpretation of the earlier post, not advancing an interpretation of my own for @Jabaldo's post. I must admit I wasn't sure whether he was seeking spiritual or monetary donations when I first read his post, so I am equally happy with your alternative.I may be wrong, but I think the 'needy' post being referred to here was meant to be tongue-in-cheek - the poster seemed to be saying all of us pilgrims are 'in need', but not all of us in need of cash - some of us need space, love, time and understanding. I understood the poster to be suggesting that, were any of us to meet him along the way, he would like generous donations of these things, rather than coins
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