[Gocamino] Thoughts on "cheap holidays"

[Linda McInnis]

Thanks for this response.  While I don't really consider my upcoming Camino 
to be a "holiday" in that sense of the word, I am extremely grateful for the 
refugios/alburgues that will be available along the Way.  Otherwise, I might 
never be able to see this part of the world and experience such a journey.

Even for "fun" travel, I am not extravagant, but I have allowed myself 60 
days to do this Camino (I'm not in great shape), and so cost definitely IS a 
consideration.  I appreciate your post.

Linda in Pueblo

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ralph Alcorn" <rbalcorn at gmail.com>
To: <gocamino at oakapple.net>
Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2007 1:48 PM
Subject: [Gocamino] Thoughts on "cheap holidays"


>I read the original posting that contained this phrase, considered the
> source, and didn't take it to have quite the connotation that Rosina did.
> The post as a whole raised a number of valid questions. I consider the
> Canadian Company of Pilgrims as a respected organization, dedicated to
> supporting the pilgrimage to Santiago. I think the writer misinterpreted 
> the
> new credential rules, and was seriously upset about the prospect of 
> shutting
> down their organization. When I read the cheap holiday sentence, I wrote 
> it
> off to a Canadian - American language difference and interpreted it as
> meaning affordable trip.
>
> Susan and I maintain a website, and have given many presentations on the
> Camino. We talk mostly in outdoor stores, and the audiences are
> enthusiastic, asking questions during and after the show. There are always
> some present that are planning to do the pilgrimage. Almost every time
> someone, usually young, asks about the cost of the trip. This is a real
> issue. From the west coast of the US, airfares alone are substantial.
> Without the refugio system, the trip would not be affordable to many of 
> the
> young people we talk to, no matter how valid their reasons for pilgrimage.
>
> After following the later postings, I think this rule change should just
> have a minor impact on someone who wants to walk the pilgrimage path. If 
> you
> start, for example in Le Puy or Porto, you are still going to want a
> credential, and one issued by your local pilgrim society should be fine.
> When you reach the first refugio in Spain, pick up the church credential. 
> It
> still allows spiritual and cultural as well as religious reasons.
>
> -- 
> Ralph Alcorn
> http://www.backpack45.com/camino2.html
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