- Time of past OR future Camino
- First one in 2005 from Moissac, France.
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Perhaps you could put both enterprises at the newly 'beautified' Cruz de Ferro.It gets a lot passing - and stopping - trade.
Don’t give anyone ideasA row of automated coin operated confession booths might do better there??
@SabsP Will you have any real gueuze? Worth walking a long way for that!
There can never be enough laundromats.I would open a laundromat in Grañón.
Maybe one that also sold beer "suds and duds" type. Phil can drink beer and visit with people while I attend to the machines.
With the advances in AI, this would be a money-maker. I've never thought of religious professionals being replaced by technology until nowA row of automated coin operated confession booths might do better there??
Compeed vendor!!!Hi - if you were going to start a niche business on Camino what would you do? Not copies of what is already there but something, well, from home I guess.
- this is for fun, no need to go into property rents or licences or Schengen time limits - just fun fantasy.
1. For certain I would place an ice-cream van or stand at the top of that climb out of Castrojeriz, where that small building is .... can you imagine finally getting to the top to see an ice cream van in front of you?? Who could walk past that??
2. I would open a traditional English café, well down the Camino for when pilgrims have finally had enough of badly made weak tepid tea and bread that cuts your gums and slices of tasteless cold lumpy potato omelettes, etc ...
So! - with only English bread - sausages, bacon, beans, eggs, toast and marmalade and so on for breakfasts (with veggie option), maybe porridge, and simple lunches such as home-made Cornish pasties and baked beans and chips ... and in the afternoon? English cream teas!! .. scones, thick cream, strawberry jam, proper tea in teapots with cups and saucers, not mugs!! - and napkins, not thin paper serviettes!
Open at 6 am and close at 5pm, every evening free .... What's not to like??
So - looking back at your Caminos .. was there something you thought would be "just right" there?
Do tell
With the advances in AI, this would be a money-maker. I've never thought of religious professionals being replaced by technology until now
Too late! There's one in Granon.Compeed vendor!!!
Public nudity per se is not technically illegal in Spain although some towns like Barcelona have their own more restrictive local by-laws. I wonder if any naturist pilgrim has actually put that to the test on a Camino route?This ridiculous system would eliminate the need to carry multiple sets of - or any - clothing in pilgrim backpacks, thereby vastly reducing pack weight. A collateral benefit would be the elimination of the need for laundry services and the time wasted doing that.
Huh? What's a zipline?I think it was she who suggested putting up a zipline for descents.
Hey, you are already putting laundromat from response #2 out of business! Maybe we could combine the beer/laundromat with your idea and have a beer stop/pilgrim wash-shower/recycled clothes place? That might be great to have the sand walking shoes nearby, too.Some albergues use disposable mattress covers ... hmmm ...
Here is a thoroughly impractical brainstorming idea: I would create a line of comfortable, extremely-economical, respectable-looking disposable pilgrim clothing made from soft textured recycled-cellulose paper fibres (no synthetic polymer fibres allowed) that would be robust enough to reliably last 1+ day of walking, with vending machines situated at each stage-end selling the next day's set of clothes, and collection bins at albergues and hostels to collect the daily cast-offs. The cast-offs would be burned as fuel in solid-fuel-fired water heaters to heat water for pilgrim showers. This ridiculous system would eliminate the need to carry multiple sets of - or any - clothing in pilgrim backpacks, thereby vastly reducing pack weight. A collateral benefit would be the elimination of the need for laundry services and the time wasted doing that.
Obviously the system of replenishing the garment vending machines would have to be extremely reliable, to avoid those awkward "I just don't have a thing to wear" situations.
I would set up a booth selling special sand-walking shoes somewhere around As Escaselas for walking on the beach the last kms into Fisterra. I think that would make great business…
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Lots of videos here of record holding ones.Huh? What's a zipline?
I didn’t think Barcelona was that restrictive. But perhaps they have changed since I saw this cyclist on a sunny day in Barcelona in 2009.Public nudity per se is not technically illegal in Spain although some towns like Barcelona have their own more restrictive local by-laws. I wonder if any naturist pilgrim has actually put that to the test on a Camino route?
The local law changed in 2011.I didn’t think Barcelona was that restrictive. But perhaps they have changed since I saw this cyclist on a sunny day in Barcelona in 2009.
Flying fox in kiwi vernacularHuh? What's a zipline?
@David, it would be rather interesting to have a closing date on this thread, and to then seek offers for the permit for the most popular idea...Hi - if you were going to start a niche business on Camino what would you do? Not copies of what is already there but something, well, from home I guess.
- this is for fun, no need to go into property rents or licences or Schengen time limits - just fun fantasy.
1. For certain I would place an ice-cream van or stand at the top of that climb out of Castrojeriz, where that small building is .... can you imagine finally getting to the top to see an ice cream van in front of you?? Who could walk past that??
2. I would open a traditional English café, well down the Camino for when pilgrims have finally had enough of badly made weak tepid tea and bread that cuts your gums and slices of tasteless cold lumpy potato omelettes, etc ...
So! - with only English bread - sausages, bacon, beans, eggs, toast and marmalade and so on for breakfasts (with veggie option), maybe porridge, and simple lunches such as home-made Cornish pasties and baked beans and chips ... and in the afternoon? English cream teas!! .. scones, thick cream, strawberry jam, proper tea in teapots with cups and saucers, not mugs!! - and napkins, not thin paper serviettes!
Open at 6 am and close at 5pm, every evening free .... What's not to like??
So - looking back at your Caminos .. was there something you thought would be "just right" there?
Do tell
As someone who is addicted to a creamy, yet roasty iced latte, I'd be first in line.When we walked the Frances in the height of summer 2016 my son had the idea of opening a place that sold iced coffee with coffee ice cubes.
I can just see the dismount in my head. Putting your feet out, touching the ground, and then being flattened face first by your backpack.Flying fox in kiwi vernacular
I'll come by! I love Orujo! Grappa also. I guess I just like my alcohol tasting like paint thinnerI'd love to open an orujo distillery and spend my declining years trying to make something that doesn't taste as if it was originally made for stripping gloss paint from doors. Like Hercule Poirot retiring to breed marrows that actually taste of anything. An interesting if impractical quest. Really just an excuse to own an alquitara which is a beautiful object!
Like this one that I am soaking in after finishing the Kumano Kodo in JapanA 15 minute mobile foot spa at all those spots where your feet would just love one!
I wouldn't want to run it, but a "de-bed-bug your gear here" service in Santiago would be great.
From many years back on this forum (EDIT actually it might have been the other forum that was around at the time) there was a thread asking for ideas about the design of a pilgrim waystation in Porto. It looked like it had some funding earmarked (as far as I can recall), but I've never heard any more about it.What I'd actually love to run would be a tiny (!) campground for pilgrims / people on foot/bike/horse with tents only, in an area where there's no official campgrounds or albergues that accept tents.
Only a patch of grass with some trees for shade, a toilet, a shower, and a check-in area with donation based cold drinks, basic food items and a few picnic tables (with roof, for bad weather).
Trek Stops? I like it.From many years back on this forum (EDIT actually it might have been the other forum that was around at the time) there was a thread asking for ideas about the design of a pilgrim waystation in Porto. It looked like it had some funding earmarked (as far as I can recall), but I've never heard any more about it.
But it got me thinking about how valuable it would be to have a few pilgrim waystations along the Frances and what that might ideally look like. Something similar to the campground GOS describes: Shade, fresh water, open shelter, toilets, maybe showers, simple food, a sellos. Somewhere you could snooze a couple of hours under a shady tree on a warm day. Some kind of vending machines where you could get bad coffee at 4 in the morning, if that's what you want. A place where your pals can catch up with you and socialise for a couple of hours. Provide a great big board where people can write messages or say what they feel, and leave a pile of rubble on one side so those folk who get creative by stacking little stones on top of each other can do their thing...
But I really like the idea of adding a de-bug station to it. Why wait until you get to Santiago for that? Much more helpful for the camino if people take preventative action before then. So in an almost symbolic cleansing, you might divest yourself of all worldly possessions for a couple of hours while they are subjected to heat treatment. Completely optional of course, but possibly relieving some anxiety for people that have been walking with others that were bitten. I can think of a few caminos where I would have been happy to pay more than five euros for this.
There was at least one gelateria in Redondela but it was rather disappointing. The Stromboli gelateria/heladeria in Pontevedra, on the other hand, was as good as I've found in Italy.Gelateria in Caldas de Reis or Redondela on the Portugues. On a very warm August camino in 2022, we couldn't help notice these are the only towns on our Coastal/Central walk that lacked this critical service. Both are pleasant towns too.
For anyone seriously interested, Bico de Xeado, a Galician dairy coop, is franchising:
Próximamente – Bico de Xeado – Helados cremosos de elaboración artesanal
Página web en construción Estaremos disponibles próximamentebicodexeado.eosaweb.com
And not just for fun…..I reckon someone selling one-off artwork (watercolour sketches or pen and ink drawings or any medium I suppose) could make some money if they truly wanted to. Either set up a stall outside Santiago cathedral (with council consent of course) or wander along the Camino with an advertisement on your backpack….
You're right, your now a 'dead man walking' !!Finally (and I'll likely be shot here for suggesting this) but American style coffee or a Starbucks copycat. I appreciate coffee culture is different in Spain, but a lot of Europeans and Non Europeans frequent the route, and I just know would happily pay €5 a pop for an iced frappuccino or similar.
I really like this idea....might make one for myself! I've already made the credencial for my 2024 walk and it does include a map, but this idea is even better. Love it!2) a Stamp map for the camino. So a fold out map with blank boxes at all the major locations that the pilgrim can have stamped, rather than the current credencial format, which is just blank boxes against a white background. Could also do a stamp map app where locations along the route could "claim" their location on the app with a picture of their stamp. I am constantly amazed at the amount of people who pick cafes or even albergues based on the stamp they offered.
Glad to hear it, would love to see a finished picture when you have it done! Question for you, you say you have made your credencial for 2024? How is this possible? Do you not have to use one of the approved credencials?I really like this idea....might make one for myself! I've already made the credencial for my 2024 walk and it does include a map, but this idea is even better. Love it!
I better walk as fast as possible so! Yeah I completely agree its not my kind of coffee. But I know in a hot climate, a cooling, sugary, caffeinated drink in a half litre container would sell itself!You're right, your now a 'dead man walking' !!. Living here in Germany as I do I find the coffee absolutely terrible. It's either too cold, too weak, or very sour (a terrible blend). I have to say on the several occasions I have visited the USA the coffee has also been rather mixed. Sometimes fairly good but other times stewed dishwater. Probably why they all like Starbucks so much. At least it's consistent.
One of the things about going to Spain that I love - at least 70% or more of the time I'll get a decent coffee! But to be fair I am a New Zealander and a Cafe con leche is practically a flat white..... .
Yeah we've got Starbucks here but frankly I think they're bloody awful. With zero training I can make a better flat white than they do - and yes it's on their menu.
Although to be fair a decent ice coffee would be nice...... . Just not from Starbucks. To me they're the coffee version of McDonald's - to be stayed clear of except in an absolute emergency!
What’s so great about a Costco breakfast burrito?Costco breakfast burritos. Station about 30 little carts on the Frances, on the typical stages. Would make a killing!
I would invest in ca. 100 Compeed vending machines and peppered them troughout the CF. Since Compeed is possibly the worst you could use on blisters, it would ensure repeat business day after day the whole Way through from many pilgrims.
I'd just have to activate them the week before Easter (and then enjoying a pre-Easter peaceful Camino), and return in late Nov. to collect the money. No exchange facitity in the machines, so you would have to pay at least the stated price (I'd start at €5 per Compeed piece).
I figure I would sell (no.of pilgrims x no.of Compeeds x price/unit) 300.000 pilgrims x 5 Compeeds average x €5/piece) = 7.5 mill. € per year. Within 3 years I could buy 100 albergues and dominate the CF.
If I had them open all year I could maybe comb in 10 mill. €/year, but I am a modest man.
Apparently not, if this thread is anything to go by:Glad to hear it, would love to see a finished picture when you have it done! Question for you, you say you have made your credencial for 2024? How is this possible? Do you not have to use one of the approved credencials?
If you want to receive a Compostela, yes.Do you not have to use one of the approved credencials?
And yet we have seen several reports from people that have received a Compostela even though they had lost their credential but had video and photographic evidence of the journey?If you want to receive a Compostela, yes.
That thread is 9 years old. I don't know if the rule that a credencial needs to be issued by a recognised authority such as a diocesan office or a confraternity was in force then. I suggest that you read the past couple of posts in that thread.Apparently not, if this thread is anything to go by:
As you'll see by the thread, it's not @Kiwi-family 's first Rodeo....
I did - I always read a thread in its entirety before quoting it however that seems to be unsupported by the evidence hence my quotation and subsequent query.. I suggest that you read the past couple of posts in that thread.
The problem is that the "evidence" in that thread is outdated, whereas the last couple of posts were from this year.I did - I always read a thread in its entirety before quoting it however that seems to be unsupported by the evidence hence my quotation and subsequent query
The problem is that the "evidence" in that thread is outdated, whereas the last couple of posts were from this year.
€1 a comment on any camino forum thread... goldmine.To get this thread back on track: I want more business ideas...
Thanks for clarifying. I've walked it a few times soIf you want to receive a Compostela, yes.
I like the idea Peter of a personalized credential. Given a lot of people have theirs framed at the end and like to show both the map of the route and the stamps, that's where my idea for a single stamp map came from, combining the two.I'm not talking about that, as I mentioned I'm talking about the evidence from people posting here on the forum that they have got their Compostela even after having lost their credential. They simply showed photographic and or video evidence of their journey and were granted the Compostela.
But as I also said above I appreciate that it is a risk (that some would not be prepared to take).
Personally at the end of it all I would prefer a personally crafted credential, ( what a superb memoir,) and to make a decent donation to the church rather than just a three-dollar credential from Ivor - as much as it supports his work. I'd rather support him in other ways. Such as my membership on the forum and purchasing other items from the shop.
But I am rather derailing this rather fun thread - apologies!
If you want to frame your credencial, then use two. Stamp only the map side of one, and only the non map side of the other.I like the idea Peter of a personalized credential. Given a lot of people have theirs framed at the end and like to show both the map of the route and the stamps, that's where my idea for a single stamp map came from, combining the two
What is a burrito? Isn't that a Spanish food?What’s so great about a Costco breakfast burrito?
MexicanWhat is a burrito? Isn't that a Spanish food?
Sure. But Mexican is Spanish really isn't it? Spanish empire and all that .. but what do I know as I don't like Spanish food very much and in the UK we don't have much Mexican but any I have eaten has been just like Spanish to me. Please accept that I am not a foodie!!Mexican
NopeBut Mexican is Spanish really isn't it?
Ah - I just looked it up. It is a savoury tortilla wrap. I always assumed that tortilla was Spanish. Quite a new thing outside of Mexico as the first Burrito sold in the USA was in the El Cholo Spanish Cafe in Los Angeles in the 1930s.Nope
Nothing really like a crepe or galette. Much sturdier wrap usually made of flour, a little water, and fat. Breakfast burritos are awesome. Filled with potatoes, eggs, usually meat served with salsa to dunk it in. Probably only a very US thing and also sold at many fast food places for a breakfast on the go.Ah - I just looked it up. It is a savoury tortilla wrap. I always assumed that tortilla was Spanish. Quite a new thing outside of Mexico as the first Burrito sold in the USA was in the El Cholo Spanish Cafe in Los Angeles in the 1930s.
Sure, there is always a cultural crossover and I can see that this Mexican food was possibly imported to Spain rather than the other way round, but as far as my taste buds are concerned it comes under "Spanish food" - though, I was fooled by Tortilla as a wrap - in Spain it is those appalling lumpy potato omelettes but in Mexico that flatbread used as a wrap.
Mind you, looking at the photos and descriptions a Burrito seems very similar to the French savoury pancake, the Crepe, or Galette ... I suppose the nearest we come to savoury in a wrap is the Cornish Pasty (I would stop at a Cornish Pasty stand!!). Ph! no it isn't it is the sandwich!!!
Yes, served in fast food restaurants across the land...Interesting, Cpt Obvious question here, but they are sold hot?
I was writing of the concept, the food type - a wrap with savoury filling? Can see how a Crepe wouldn't be strong enough to hand eat. A Cornish pasty is a hard pastry 'wrap' with a savoury filling but more a sort of pie really (though a soft bread roll filled is closer), was really trying to think of other types of food that are wraps with savoury fillings, therefore type, not recipe - fail I now think.
Is it now a very US thing, they didn't appear until 1930s .. though may be common now where there is Spanish Mexican influence? Are they as common in Vermont or New England or Missouri?
We gave India back and within a few years had loads of Indian restaurants (we gave away lots of grade B British passports as part of the letting go deal) and Chicken Tikka Masala is now the most common English dish, and that only took about 50 years I guess.
This is me with Spanish/Mexican food, funnily enough that is exactly how I dress on Camino too!
Yes, served in fast food restaurants across the land...
Easy to make and easy to take and much better than a tuna empanada. Yum! Maybe a side of nachos to eat at the Cafe movil and a burrito for the road.Alright, I almost give up getting back on track... Maybe set up a Burrito bodega between Carrion and Calzadilla?
Alright, I almost give up getting back on track... Maybe set up a Burrito bodega between Carrion and Calzadilla?
Easy to make and easy to take and much better than a tuna empanada. Yum! Maybe a side of nachos to eat at the Cafe movil and a burrito for the road. Oh, if only the remains of St James were in St Jean and I could walk and eat! in France. x
The hand of St James is supposed to be kept in a church in Marlow. Probably a few decent restaurants around there.Oh, if only the remains of St James were in St Jean and I could walk and eat! in France. x
Does Marlow have handwich shops?The hand of St James is supposed to be kept in a church in Marlow. Probably a few decent restaurants around there.
You could name them after St Hugh of Lincoln who infamously bit off a chunk of one of Mary Magdalene's fingers and kept it when he was given the chance to kiss her hand.Does Marlow have handwich shops?
Ladyfingers for desert then.You could name them after St Hugh of Lincoln who infamously bit off a chunk of one of Mary Magdalene's fingers and kept it when he was given the chance to kiss her hand.
Good coffee in Spain, though think Italy has the edge. Germany… well it’s ok. Backwerk is good value, and Berlin HBF (in your area) has a lot of options.You're right, your now a 'dead man walking' !!. Living here in Germany as I do I find the coffee absolutely terrible. It's either too cold, too weak, or very sour (a terrible blend). I have to say on the several occasions I have visited the USA the coffee has also been rather mixed. Sometimes fairly good but other times stewed dishwater. Probably why they all like Starbucks so much. At least it's consistent.
One of the things about going to Spain that I love - at least 70% or more of the time I'll get a decent coffee! But to be fair I am a New Zealander and a Cafe con leche is practically a flat white..... .
Yeah we've got Starbucks here but frankly I think they're bloody awful. With zero training I can make a better flat white than they do - and yes it's on their menu.
Although to be fair a decent ice coffee would be nice...... . Just not from Starbucks. To me they're the coffee version of McDonald's - to be stayed clear of except in an absolute emergency!
Mexican food is everywhere in London ( and I am sure other major cities) from restaurants to supermarkets.Sure. But Mexican is Spanish really isn't it? Spanish empire and all that .. but what do I know as I don't like Spanish food very much and in the UK we don't have much Mexican but any I have eaten has been just like Spanish to me. Please accept that I am not a foodie!!
What's wrong with a good British bacon sarnie??
Errmmm is a burrito like a bread roll, filled? If so, can you get bacon with English mustard ones? I'd try that!!
Marlow has everything you could ever wish for ! It’s that’s kind of place!You could name them after St Hugh of Lincoln who infamously bit off a chunk of one of Mary Magdalene's fingers and kept it when he was given the chance to kiss her hand.
Yes , officially you do have to use an official credencial if you want to get a compostela. This has not been a make-or-break for me and so I have been happy to take the risk. That said, I have received/bought a compostela each time I have used a homemade credencial! There must be some naughty volunteers in the office - don't count on it if it matters to you though.Glad to hear it, would love to see a finished picture when you have it done! Question for you, you say you have made your credencial for 2024? How is this possible? Do you not have to use one of the approved credencials?
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