Efren Gonzalez is BACK !!!

[Morning Waters]

I just noticed that Efren Gonzalez is on the Camino Francis now and posting his Vlogs on You Tube about his travels. He is starting in Ponferrada, sporting a cute man bun and is his usual cheerful, passionate, loquacious self. For those of us who are aching to be on the camino it is a real treat to have his vlogs to watch. For newbies on the forum check him out, good production vlogs, some great drone footage, good information, lists his costs on the camino and is just fun to watch.
ENJOY!

 

[Former member 91017]

He’s growing his hair to meet the Henro tradition for his intended/hoped-for Shikoku pilgrimage in the fall….
Just FYI.
I think he’s having terrible trouble finding WiFi from the San Salvador trail, but if you look up SummitXtreme on Instagra, he has gorgeous photos, including one of an Iberian wolf…

 

[trecile]

I think he’s having terrible trouble finding WiFi from the San Salvador trail, but if you look up SummitXtreme on Instagra, he has gorgeous photos, including one of an Iberian wolf…

Funny how that wolf hasn't moved in the last two years since I took this picture!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I have been watching his newest videos, too, but unfortunately they have been very short, apparently due to patchy wifi.

 

[Former member 59618]

I love his passion for the Camino. Binge-worthy videos....

 

[JillGat]

link to his vlog?

 

[davebugg]

link to his vlog?

https://www.youtube.com/c/efrenglez1/videos

 

[Phoenix]

I have been watching his newest videos, too, but unfortunately they have been very short, apparently due to patchy wifi.

I refresh his YouTube page several times a day hoping to see some new vids.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I refresh his YouTube page several times a day hoping to see some new vids.

I have subscribed so I get a notification on my phone, although we view the episodes on the television.

 

[Lokitrz]

He’s growing his hair to meet the Henro tradition for his intended/hoped-for Shikoku pilgrimage in the fall….
Just FYI.
I think he’s having terrible trouble finding WiFi from the San Salvador trail, but if you look up SummitXtreme on Instagra, he has gorgeous photos, including one of an Iberian wolf…

Shikoku pilgrimage??? OOOHHHHH That is cool. I read a book called Neon Pilgrim, by Lisa Dempster about that. It sounds amazing too!!!

I just started watching Efrin on YouTube. He's so effervescent!!!

 

[Former member 91017]

Shikoku pilgrimage??? OOOHHHHH That is cool. I read a book called Neon Pilgrim, by Lisa Dempster about that. It sounds amazing too!!!

I just started watching Efrin on YouTube. He's so effervescent!!!

Oh, if you did that, you might like reading Gideon Krauss-Lewis’ memoir of walking both the Camino de Santiago *and* the Shikoku In close succession.

 

[Rmarkob]

I watched Efren's 2017 CF series (and many others) when I decided to do the Camino last year, and agree with everything you say, Morning Waters. I've since watched his Via Francigena, Camino Portugues, and several other Camino and hiking videos. He should have WAY more subscribers!

 

[Former member 91017]

I watched Efren's 2017 CF series (and many others) when I decided to do the Camino last year, and agree with everything you say, Morning Waters. I've since watched his Via Francigena, Camino Portugues, and several other Camino and hiking videos. He should have WAY more subscribers!

I agree! In our household, we not only have two personal accounts subscribed to his channel, but also two “VIP” paid subscriptions. I think that might cost us something like $10 per month each, or 2 coffees each out at a cafe.

Efrén’s cinematography is outstanding, and he has developed his own narrative arc methods since he first did the Frances… (we enjoy seeing how his brain clicks long to make the visual story and the personal observations flow together to make a point out of each day’s walk).

In the downtime of the pandemic we’ve certainly watched other bloggers, but some are never able to communicate why they are out there (we tire of “Oh, this is pretty” and the sound of footsteps) or their cinematography is just *poor*….

So we find extremely good value in the dollars sent to Efrén.

I can *hardly* wait for him to get home from this round of walks so that he can start uploading the work. Obviously the wifi in the mountain ranges is patchy and slow at best, but his photos on the instagram account make me very hungry to see the Vlogs come out.

 

[Sunchi]

Love Efren and his vlogs. My husband and I have watched all of them including his latest at the AP. We enjoyed them so much that we became VIP member. Truly miss his daily vlogs now that he is in Spain, wifi nit to reliable and cannot wait for his updates. He makes me feel like getting my boots out and go! Buen Camino!

 

[peregrina2000]

This may not be an adequate substitute for the Efren González fans, but Álvaro Lazaga is currently walking and posts a 3-5 minute video every day. He just walked the Primitivo/Salvador backwards and has been posting daily, so maybe the problem is the length of Efren’s videos, I don’t know.

His videos are more personal and directed to his friends and the people he meets, but they always bring the camino alive for me.

He’s currently on the Madrid, walking home to Benidorm after having gone to Santiago on some very unusual combinations of routes!

Alvaro Lazaga Busto

Camino de Santiago... ...y algo más

www.youtube.com

 

[Phoenix]

I watched Efren's 2017 CF series (and many others) when I decided to do the Camino last year, and agree with everything you say, Morning Waters. I've since watched his Via Francigena, Camino Portugues, and several other Camino and hiking videos. He should have WAY more subscribers!

His progression from his CF in 2017 to his CP/CdN/CI in 2019 was incredible. Not that his CF videos were bad (in fact, very good), but his vlogging/storytelling/cinematography grew exponentially in those two years.

I've told my family I want a mini-drone for Christmas or birthday.

 

[Morning Waters]

Per Perigrina-Álvaro Lazaga is currently walking and posts a 3-5 minute video every day.

His youtube vlogs are in Spanish. I put on the closed captioning to practice my listening Spanish!

 

[keith duke scott]

I just noticed that Efren Gonzalez is on the Camino Francis now and posting his Vlogs on You Tube about his travels. He is starting in Ponferrada, sporting a cute man bun and is his usual cheerful, passionate, loquacious self. For those of us who are aching to be on the camino it is a real treat to have his vlogs to watch. For newbies on the forum check him out, good production vlogs, some great drone footage, good information, lists his costs on the camino and is just fun to watch.
ENJOY!

I love watching efren and his adventures. Makes me feel.like I'm back on the Camino whenever I watch his excellent posts vblog and general info. Highly recommended for old and young alike. Go efren!!!!

 

[LTfit]

Funny how that wolf hasn't moved in the last two years since I took this picture!


View attachment 104803

I took a double take, really thinking it was a wolf!

 

[ApproachingBliss]

I like that he puts a flower behind his ear.

 

[trecile]

I took a double take, really thinking it was a wolf!

So did I when I saw it!

 

[CarolamS]

I'm a huge fan of Efren's videos. My all time favourite has to be

where he sums up his whole CF in little more than 3 minutes. Amazing editing.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I'm a huge fan of Efren's videos. My all time favourite has to be

where he sums up his whole CF in little more than 3 minutes. Amazing editing.

Yes, this is a favorite very clever recap of mine, too. Thanks for posting it!
Efren has a wonderful and delightful personality and his humor often makes me laugh.

 

[Avromal]

This may not be an adequate substitute for the Efren González fans, but Álvaro Lazaga is currently walking and posts a 3-5 minute video every day. He just walked the Primitivo/Salvador backwards and has been posting daily, so maybe the problem is the length of Efren’s videos, I don’t know.

His videos are more personal and directed to his friends and the people he meets, but they always bring the camino alive for me.

He’s currently on the Madrid, walking home to Benidorm after having gone to Santiago on some very unusual combinations of routes!

Alvaro Lazaga Busto

Camino de Santiago... ...y algo más

www.youtube.com

Thanks Peregrina. I will have a look at Alvaro, as it sounds more what we like to see. I think Efren on his first CF was better watching than he is now. Since he has focused on monetising his YouTube channel, I’ve found he has become quite formulaic in his approach. His drone footage though, is certainly interesting.

One of the best hiking YouTube sites though, is Elina Osborne. She hasn’t done any of the Camino’s, but has done the Pacific Crest Trail and is working on producing her walk on the Te Araroa Trail she did last summer (Southern hemisphere). Her productions for YouTube are first class. elinaosborne.com.

 

[lisaflora]

I just noticed that Efren Gonzalez is on the Camino Francis now and posting his Vlogs on You Tube about his travels. He is starting in Ponferrada, sporting a cute man bun and is his usual cheerful, passionate, loquacious self. For those of us who are aching to be on the camino it is a real treat to have his vlogs to watch. For newbies on the forum check him out, good production vlogs, some great drone footage, good information, lists his costs on the camino and is just fun to watch.
ENJOY!

Agreed...he is awesome

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I think Efren on his first CF was better watching than he is now. Since he has focused on monetising his YouTube channel, I’ve found he has become quite formulaic in his approach.

I thoroughly enjoy Efren's videos. They are entertaining and my OH who does not walk the Camino, finds Efren's videos interesting and they hold his interest because of his awesome personality, the professional quality of his videos, which include drone footage and his music choices. Many YouTubers make their living from their videos. I am not put off at all that among his many free offerings, he eventually asks for help to continue as it provides income.

 

[Roseangel]

Yes, this is a favorite very clever recap of mine, too. Thanks for posting it!
Efren has a wonderful and delightful personality and his humor often makes me laugh.

Thanks for sharing, I'm a huge fan and love watching this. He has such a unique style.

 

[Former member 91017]

Funny how that wolf hasn't moved in the last two years since I took this picture!


View attachment 104803

Wow. I shall wait to see his videos because the photo was not tagged to indicate that it was a sculpture.

 

[Anna Cameron]

I'm a huge fan of Efren's videos. My all time favourite has to be

where he sums up his whole CF in little more than 3 minutes. Amazing editing.

Oh, thank you, GRACIAS, merci for sharing this video. Today of all days I needed it. It's grey and cold and wet and stormy and we're locked down again Down Here, with no international travel in sight, but Efren's video lifted me a bit, even if it made me cry a bit, too.
I wasn't aware of his vlogs previously, but will check them out now, and look forward to better times ahead.

 

[CarolamS]

Wow. I shall wait to see his videos because the photo was not tagged to indicate that it was a sculpture.

He mention's that the wolf is not real in an Instagram comment.

 

[CarolamS]

Oh, thank you, GRACIAS, merci for sharing this video. Today of all days I needed it. It's grey and cold and wet and stormy and we're locked down again Down Here, with no international travel in sight, but Efren's video lifted me a bit, even if it made me cry a bit, too.
I wasn't aware of his vlogs previously, but will check them out now, and look forward to better times ahead.

So glad it helped with your weather and lockdown. Maybe the Camino is still reaching out to you and helping? Very best wishes to you.

 

[David Tallan]

If we are recommending others, as well as Efren: If you like Efren, you might like some of the others on this list:

Camino Videos

Camino Videos Last updated: 2 November 2023 Much as I do appreciate the interview videos and Ivar's updates from Santiago, my favourite Camino videos are those filmed on the Camino by people sharing their journeys. Here are some of the ones that are still available on video-sharing sites...

docs.google.com

 

[Former member 91017]

He mention's that the wolf is not real in an Instagram comment.

I don’t read IG comments — it’s usually a trash-heap out there. The photo was not #tagged.
Thanks.

 

[Morning Waters]

David-Thank you for including Jeannee James. I really enjoyed her "Alaskan Pilgrim" series of vlogs as she did her camino in 2018. Being a woman of certain age myself, I was inspired by her trials, tribulations and triumphs.

 

[John Hawke]

Today's Vlog:

 

[Wiebmer]

I agree! In our household, we not only have two personal accounts subscribed to his channel, but also two “VIP” paid subscriptions. I think that might cost us something like $10 per month each, or 2 coffees each out at a cafe.

Efrén’s cinematography is outstanding, and he has developed his own narrative arc methods since he first did the Frances… (we enjoy seeing how his brain clicks long to make the visual story and the personal observations flow together to make a point out of each day’s walk).

In the downtime of the pandemic we’ve certainly watched other bloggers, but some are never able to communicate why they are out there (we tire of “Oh, this is pretty” and the sound of footsteps) or their cinematography is just *poor*….

So we find extremely good value in the dollars sent to Efrén.

I can *hardly* wait for him to get home from this round of walks so that he can start uploading the work. Obviously the wifi in the mountain ranges is patchy and slow at best, but his photos on the instagram account make me very hungry to see the Vlogs come out.

Thank you for this - we sent some financial support Efren's way, too. I love his attitude...and his images are epic!

 

[gowhipple]

Thanks Peregrina. I will have a look at Alvaro, as it sounds more what we like to see. I think Efren on his first CF was better watching than he is now. Since he has focused on monetising his YouTube channel, I’ve found he has become quite formulaic in his approach. His drone footage though, is certainly interesting.

One of the best hiking YouTube sites though, is Elina Osborne. She hasn’t done any of the Camino’s, but has done the Pacific Crest Trail and is working on producing her walk on the Te Araroa Trail she did last summer (Southern hemisphere). Her productions for YouTube are first class. elinaosborne.com.

Amazing. Just watched the prologue to the PCT. I can cancel my Netflix now! LOL

 

[RJM]

On his latest instagram post he burns his compostela on the beach. I don't get it? Looks to me to be a rather childish and tasteless attempt at attention getting.
Anyway, he lost a fan with me.

 

[Former member 91017]

On his latest instagram post he burns his compostela on the beach. I don't get it? Looks to me to be a rather childish and tasteless attempt at attention getting.
Anyway, he lost a fan with me.

I think he has a point about not collecting gold stars from *outside* oneself… I’ll wait to see his videos…. I’m not a fan of anything being burnt for ritual reasons… but there seems to be a story behind the decision.

TBH, I am far less a fan of all the drinking that is so common on caminos, and the conclusion to the Norte on his channel was not my favourite for that reason. It seemed as though he got caught up in a crowd that would not normally be his way (based on the Frances, the Portugues, the Francigena routes)…

I wonder if it’s just really hard to be a professional blogger of these kinds of things… to be awa from family for such long periods of time, to have real and/or imagined audiences with their demands… to have to be always the sunny face of the long-distance walker…

I’m taking my guesses, obviously,,, but the compostela certificates were his to do with as he pleased. As i have put 3 degrees into the shredder to get over my need for their validation on my wall, and find it annoying and insecure for colleagues to put their degrees on their office walls (we already know that they have to hold these degrees to hold the post)… I think I “get it”.

 

[RJM]

I think he has a point about not collecting gold stars from *outside* oneself… I’ll wait to see his videos…. I’m not a fan of anything being burnt for ritual reasons… but there seems to be a story behind the decision.

TBH, I am far less a fan of all the drinking that is so common on caminos, and the conclusion to the Norte on his channel was not my favourite for that reason. It seemed as though he got caught up in a crowd that would not normally be his way (based on the Frances, the Portugues, the Francigena routes)…

I wonder if it’s just really hard to be a professional blogger of these kinds of things… to be awa from family for such long periods of time, to have real and/or imagined audiences with their demands… to have to be always the sunny face of the long-distance walker…

I’m taking my guesses, obviously,,, but the compostela certificates were his to do with as he pleased. As i have put 3 degrees into the shredder to get over my need for their validation on my wall, and find it annoying and insecure for colleagues to put their degrees on their office walls (we already know that they have to hold these degrees to hold the post)… I think I “get it”.

Displaying certificates of one kind or another is just something of personal preference. I don't do it. I have many friends and work colleagues that did. Whatever. I really don't have to look at them, so don't give them much thought TBH.
What I find odd is doing something like burning a compostela on a vlog knowing full well that it could quite possibly offend. I just don't get it. Why? Nobody made him get in line at the pilgrim's office and get it. In fact if he finds the compostela so repulsive that he publicly burns it, why waste the volunteers time at the office who issued it to him? As I said originally, appears to be a childish stunt. Attention seeking. As far as collecting things for oneself, I would hope a guy who collects money by rattling an internet tin cup would not get preachy about such things.
As far as the difficulties of being a full-time (I can't bring myself to use the word professional) travel blogger/vlogger, I suppose it's better than a real job, TBH. Making a living walking about with a pack (nicer than when I did it in the army), while visiting beautiful countries and places that many only dream of seeing in their lifetime ain't a bad gig. Especially when done on other's copper via patreon and such. I now regret sending him money a couple weeks ago. I want a refund lol.

 

[CarolamS]

I am looking forward to his videos. Perhaps we'll get a better sense of his intention/attitude. I believe it is about doing something and then letting it go. It also refers to the historical ritual burning of clothes and shoes by pilgrims. As a deep introvert I needed to sit quietly on the rocks at Finisterre. It doesn't occur to me to create a ritual or even share the moment with others. The joy of people is their differences

 

[RJM]

Appears as though he's removed the photos of his Compostela fueled bonfire from both his youtube and Instagram. Too many negative reactions I suppose. While I did find the burning of the Compostela offensive and distasteful, not sticking to one's opinions and removing the photos I find to be lacking...

 

[Former member 91017]

Displaying certificates of one kind or another is just something of personal preference. I don't do it. I have many friends and work colleagues that did. Whatever. I really don't have to look at them, so don't give them much thought TBH.
What I find odd is doing something like burning a compostela on a vlog knowing full well that it could quite possibly offend. I just don't get it. Why? Nobody made him get in line at the pilgrim's office and get it. In fact if he finds the compostela so repulsive that he publicly burns it, why waste the volunteers time at the office who issued it to him? As I said originally, appears to be a childish stunt. Attention seeking. As far as collecting things for oneself, I would hope a guy who collects money by rattling an internet tin cup would not get preachy about such things.
As far as the difficulties of being a full-time (I can't bring myself to use the word professional) travel blogger/vlogger, I suppose it's better than a real job, TBH. Making a living walking about with a pack (nicer than when I did it in the army), while visiting beautiful countries and places that many only dream of seeing in their lifetime ain't a bad gig. Especially when done on other's copper via patreon and such. I now regret sending him money a couple weeks ago. I want a refund lol.

Merely a point that when patrons decide to pay a creator to do what s/he does, it ceases to be our copper and becomes the earnings of the creator. The artists I pay to make beautiful art are not living off my money; I am paying them for a product. If we cease to enjoy the product, it is as with anything else: we stop purchasing it. No big deal.

I do use the word "professional" because there's a lot of *really poor* cinematography our there about travel and adventure, because Vlogging belongs to a long history of travel writing and narration, and because audiences are so fickle. How to please everyone? One cannot. Some viewers will be alienated by some content, fairly inevitably. Like I said elsewhere in the thread, I am at best ambivalent about the drinking... and there's the deeply unsettling instalment from the Portuguese route in which a drunk man becomes a spectacle in a situation he did not consent to, no matter how badly he behaved. But this is not documentary film, and art (which I think travel vlogging can be) is not subject to the same ethics considerations that documentary and other ethnographic forms are.

If I am disappointed in the series when it is finally posted, then I am unlikely to continue to subscribe as a paying viewer. But the money I have already paid is *his* now, not mine.

 

[RJM]

Merely a point that when patrons decide to pay a creator to do what s/he does, it ceases to be our copper and becomes the earnings of the creator. The artists I pay to make beautiful art are not living off my money; I am paying them for a product. If we cease to enjoy the product, it is as with anything else: we stop purchasing it. No big deal.

I do use the word "professional" because there's a lot of *really poor* cinematography our there about travel and adventure, because Vlogging belongs to a long history of travel writing and narration, and because audiences are so fickle. How to please everyone? One cannot. Some viewers will be alienated by some content, fairly inevitably. Like I said elsewhere in the thread, I am at best ambivalent about the drinking... and there's the deeply unsettling instalment from the Portuguese route in which a drunk man becomes a spectacle in a situation he did not consent to, no matter how badly he behaved. But this is not documentary film, and art (which I think travel vlogging can be) is not subject to the same ethics considerations that documentary and other ethnographic forms are.

If I am disappointed in the series when it is finally posted, then I am unlikely to continue to subscribe as a paying viewer. But the money I have already paid is *his* now, not mine.

I did send him a private message letting him know my disappointment in his burning of his compostela on the beach. I told him I regretted sending him money and that if he could, could he please make a donation to charity in that amount for me, as I did not want my money back as much as I regretted sending it to him. He said he would fulfill my request to give that amount to charity and I trust that he will.
Now you have me looking for the drunk on his Camino Portugues videos, lol.

 

[Former member 91017]

I did send him a private message letting him know my disappointment in his burning of his compostela on the beach. I told him I regretted sending him money and that if he could, could he please make a donation to charity in that amount for me, as I did not want my money back as much as I regretted sending it to him. He said he would fulfill my request to give that amount to charity and I trust that he will.
Now you have me looking for the drunk on his Camino Portugues videos, lol.

Well that was certainly magnanimous of him as one does not have to do that.
I am a university professor. Tuition is paid to the institution and I am paid to research and produce content for lectures based on the research. There are other components to the job, but for my purposes here... If a student does not like how I present material, or is offended when I chuck a ring across the lecture hall to make a point about symbolic interaction, they don't get a refund, and they don't get to tell me what to do with my earnings.
For the most part, I think that Efrén is an ordinary guy with an extraordinary talent for cinematography, has developed a visual narrative practice that "makes sense" and does some stupid stuff sometimes -- like everyone, I suppose.
And I think it would be very very difficult, very very stressful to try to figure out how to please the tastes of thousands of different patrons from all corners of the world.

 

[RJM]

Well that was certainly magnanimous of him as one does not have to do that.
I am a university professor. Tuition is paid to the institution and I am paid to research and produce content for lectures based on the research. There are other components to the job, but for my purposes here... If a student does not like how I present material, or is offended when I chuck a ring across the lecture hall to make a point about symbolic interaction, they don't get a refund, and they don't get to tell me what to do with my earnings.
For the most part, I think that Efrén is an ordinary guy with an extraordinary talent for cinematography, has developed a visual narrative practice that "makes sense" and does some stupid stuff sometimes -- like everyone, I suppose.
And I think it would be very very difficult, very very stressful to try to figure out how to please the tastes of thousands of different patrons from all corners of the world.

I have an acquaintance that has a youtube channel about outdoor products testing etc. While not massively popular he does have quite a few subscribers and views, likes etc on his videos. Patreon and sponsors. The works. He told me that the more comments he gets, good, bad or otherwise the more income he receives. He wants the comments section to be a whirlwind of any kind of discussions. Even when it gets rude and ugly. Not surprising I suppose. Controversy has always been a good marketing tool. Maybe I was the sucker born every minute when I bit the hook on this one and expressed my dislike.

 

[trecile]

In Efren's 2017 vlog at Fisterra he says that every pilgrim must do three things:

• Take a dip in the ocean
• Burn something that has been with you on the journey (in this video he burns his underwear)
• Watch the sunset

He says that after fulfilling these three tasks a pilgrim will be reborn.

No wonder this stupid "tradition" of burning things in Fisterra won't die!

 

[trecile]

I commented on Efren's 2017 vlog.

This is what I said:
I wish that you didn't perpetuate the MYTH that pilgrims should burn something in Fisterra. It's disrespectful of the locals, bad for the environment, and illegal!

And his response:
This was my first pilgrimage and I was passing on the information I read on my guidebook. I've moved on from burning my clothes to burning my compostela. I burned three on my last camino

So, he may have removed pictures/videos of burning his Compostela, but apparently still thinks that it is a good practice.

 

[JillGat]

How about demonstrating to yourself that you don't need a trophy/certificate by just not standing in line and getting one when you arrive in Santiago?

Last time I walked, a met a nice, thoughtful young man along the way. I didn't see him again until Santiago, when I saw him sitting on the plaza and went up to chat with him. He had been a little distraught because he'd accidentally left him compostela in the last town and had been considering arranging to go back and get it. But then he decided it was a lesson, that the journey did not need to be documented.. that doing it was important to him in so many other ways. He ended up seeing it as a gift.

 

[trecile]

How about demonstrating to yourself that you don't need a trophy/certificate by just not standing in line and getting one when you arrive in Santiago?

Exactly. Getting a Compostela then burning it is just an ego driven stunt.

 

[David Tallan]

Exactly. Getting a Compostela then burning it is just an ego driven stunt.

responding to:

How about demonstrating to yourself that you don't need a trophy/certificate by just not standing in line and getting one when you arrive in Santiago?

I certainly don't agree with the action and value the two Compostelas I have. I also think it would be better not taking a spot in line and delaying other people in getting a Compostela if you don't value them.

But I'm not sure it is just an ego driven stunt. It seems to me to be a ritual of rejection of the Compostela and whatever it means to Efren. Simply not getting it would not provide the meaningful and symbolic ritual of rejection that getting it and burning it provides.

Why someone who likes the Camino enough to want to return year after year would want such a ritual is beyond me, but perhaps the Compostela symbolizes something very different to him than it does to me.

 

[Former member 91017]

responding to:


I certainly don't agree with the action and value the two Compostelas I have. I also think it would be better not taking a spot in line and delaying other people in getting a Compostela if you don't value them.

But I'm not sure it is just an ego driven stunt. It seems to me to be a ritual of rejection of the Compostela and whatever it means to Efren. Simply not getting it would not provide the meaningful and symbolic ritual of rejection that getting it and burning it provides.

Why someone who likes the Camino enough to want to return year after year would want such a ritual is beyond me, but perhaps the Compostela symbolizes something very different to him than it does to me.

Yes, I think that you are on to *something* here... And Gonzales was, to the best of my knowledge reading from Brierley on his first series. It certainly sounded like the samples I have read from JB's guides.

I own property that could go up like a tinder box if someone were careless with fire... so I can't get behind setting fires for ritual reasons.

That said, my first camino was so crushing at the end... I felt *so punished* for the self-indulgence of taking that time.... I almost lost my only child 2 days from my conclusion.... that I put my Compostela in a shredder. I could not bear to look at it. It took me 4 years to make my peace... to go back, to tell the office what had happened, to receive a new certificate, and my next ones. The volunteer cried when I told her what had happened. She did not tell me I had stolen time from others...

I don't think the certificates are a zero-sum game like that.... If I get one and regret it later, it is unrelated to another pilgrim's relationship to theirs, to whether they left themselves enough time to get one when everyone knows the lines can be very long in the high season...

I have done 2 walks now in the name of others -- one who had died, and one whose health problems make a camino impossible.

When I go again I probably won't get a certificate of any kind as I will prefer to spend my time at the monastery museum, or at a mass... not sure yet. I hold 3 degrees and I have put every one in the shredder as well... because I do not like the ego involved in putting them on the office wall. It certainly does not mean that I did not earn my place...

My thoughts are meandering a bit here, but even if I dislike the burning -- for environmental reasons -- I think that you are excavating something important about rejecting some other internal thing (which may be ego attachments to certifications...).

And, aside from some imperfections that always irk me in his series (the offside humour at the expense of a homeless man in an albergue on the CP who caused a disturbance; the excess drinking on the end of the Norte when he gets caught up with a group of such younger people...), I enjoy his work. And I am trying to learn to accept people's inconsistencies, and flaws. I am not doing a great job aways, admittedly, but and I still see the larger value in imperfect work.

For me... the big arc of his different series... is calming... is a view to long arcs of history that I might never be able to touch, but which I am well aware influence the foundations of the cultural world I occupy...

Not ready to throw the baby out with the bathwater.... especially not as I watch his series on the Le Puy route...

 

[RJM]

responding to:


I certainly don't agree with the action and value the two Compostelas I have. I also think it would be better not taking a spot in line and delaying other people in getting a Compostela if you don't value them.

But I'm not sure it is just an ego driven stunt. It seems to me to be a ritual of rejection of the Compostela and whatever it means to Efren. Simply not getting it would not provide the meaningful and symbolic ritual of rejection that getting it and burning it provides.

Why someone who likes the Camino enough to want to return year after year would want such a ritual is beyond me, but perhaps the Compostela symbolizes something very different to him than it does to me.

Personally I think you're giving him too much credit. I don't think it's an ego driven stunt, symbolic rejection etc but more like controversy in his vlog. More controversy, more people react, watch them, comment etc. Does he like walking the Camino? Yeah, probably. Who wouldn't? Does he like making a living (Patreon etc) walking it and other journeys? Ummm, I'd say hell yeah. Who wouldn't? Better than punching a time clock doing the old 9-5.
He's no different than any other full time youtuber.

 

[RJM]

I commented on Efren's 2017 vlog.

This is what I said:
I wish that you didn't perpetuate the MYTH that pilgrims should burn something in Fisterra. It's disrespectful of the locals, bad for the environment, and illegal!

And his response:
This was my first pilgrimage and I was passing on the information I read on my guidebook. I've moved on from burning my clothes to burning my compostela. I burned three on my last camino

So, he may have removed pictures/videos of burning his Compostela, but apparently still thinks that it is a good practice.

Hmmm, childish and rude behavior. I do not think I have read anywhere in any of the guidebooks the bit about burning stuff and even if I did see it somewhere I would think it was a really bad idea. I would not be adolescent minded and follow along.
Things like that and the graffiti vandalism along the Camino can be so disturbing and casts such a bad light upon all pilgrims.

 

[trecile]

Hmmm, childish and rude behavior. I do not think I have read anywhere in any of the guidebooks the bit about burning stuff and even if I did see it somewhere I would think it was a really bad idea. I would not be adolescent minded and follow along.
Things like that and the graffiti vandalism along the Camino can be so disturbing and casts such a bad light upon all pilgrims.

The sad thing is that his "advice" that pilgrims must burn something is now on other blogs.

 

[Former member 91017]

When I walked in 2014, I was a good 15-20 years younger than most — it being September and full of newly retired teachers who were unsure of what to do with their unstructured autumns.

I had never heard of burning anything at the end of any long trek, but there they were… all wanting to know what I intended to burn at the end of my walk.

They didn’t seem to be the blog following type.

On the whole, camino is not something that youth have either the time or money for in our world. Never mind that the road itself is pretty inexpensive — it’s still a thousand dollars and 6 weeks that my young students and graduates cannot even think about….

On the whole, doing the statistical probabilities…. It is not adolescents out there burning things. Most are, indeed, significantly older than Efren, who seems to be early 40’s now.

Is burning stuff a good idea? No.

Is it young people who promote it on camino? They might fall victim to the “romance” of it… but just out of sheer numbers it is impossible for this to be a folly of youth.

I’ll reserve my rage about the environment for the generations my age and older who have quite literally driven (their cars) the planet into crisis, and have so impaired the physical health of the world population that the dystopia of Pixar’s Wall-E isn’t far off the mark.

 

[RJM]

Without a doubt this Efren guy has a member profile on this forum, using a pen name of sorts. I am sure he used the forum for information on the Camino(s) and maybe to get a vibe of pilgrims so as to influence his youtube content. He is no doubt happy to see this thread about him and his vlog. Brings attention, viewers and Patreon contributors. I know he would never do it, as to do it would be to reveal his profile here, but I am curious as to his reasons for the compostela burning. Give his side of the story.

 

[RJM]

When I walked in 2014, I was a good 15-20 years younger than most — it being September and full of newly retired teachers who were unsure of what to do with their unstructured autumns.

I had never heard of burning anything at the end of any long trek, but there they were… all wanting to know what I intended to burn at the end of my walk.

They didn’t seem to be the blog following type.

On the whole, camino is not something that youth have either the time or money for in our world. Never mind that the road itself is pretty inexpensive — it’s still a thousand dollars and 6 weeks that my young students and graduates cannot even think about….

On the whole, doing the statistical probabilities…. It is not adolescents out there burning things. Most are, indeed, significantly older than Efren, who seems to be early 40’s now.

Is burning stuff a good idea? No.

Is it young people who promote it on camino? They might fall victim to the “romance” of it… but just out of sheer numbers it is impossible for this to be a folly of youth.

I’ll reserve my rage about the environment for the generations my age and older who have quite literally driven (their cars) the planet into crisis, and have so impaired the physical health of the world population that the dystopia of Pixar’s Wall-E isn’t far off the mark.

Whilst in Fisterre on a couple of occasions I did chat with pilgrims whom I had met earlier on the journey who spoke of burning clothes and shoes upon reaching the coast. On both occasions they were very young pilgrims. In their twenties, and when I saw them earlier on the Camino they were having a good time. I recall one of the groups being locked out of one municipal after hours because they had gone out drinking all night. Next morning I saw them all out in front of the albergue sleeping on the ground, lol. All in all a nice bunch of young people and out to have a good time while walking the Camino and I suppose also easily influenced by some dumb word of mouth (or internet) shite that one needs to burn their clothes at the ocean's edge. Hey, I am not judging. When I was their age in the army I drank enough whiskey and beer to float a frigate and partied hard with my buddies in foreign ports of call. I did not have the means or time to frolic across Europe with a backpack, but definitely get jealous when I see them having a frivolous good time and wish I was young enough again to join them.

 

[David Tallan]

Without a doubt this Efren guy has a member profile on this forum, using a pen name of sorts. I am sure he used the forum for information on the Camino(s) and maybe to get a vibe of pilgrims so as to influence his youtube content. He is no doubt happy to see this thread about him and his vlog. Brings attention, viewers and Patreon contributors. I know he would never do it, as to do it would be to reveal his profile here, but I am curious as to his reasons for the compostela burning. Give his side of the story.

Maybe he does and maybe he doesn't. Having followed his YouTube content since his first Camino, I have a slightly different impression of him. The way I see it, when he did his first Camino Frances it was for the same sorts of reasons that most people do. He wasn't a big YouTuber with a big following at the time. He was someone walking a Camino and recording his Camino and sharing it, as many other amateurs do. You can see tons of them in my video list. His happened to be of a better production quality than most, because that's what he does for a living - film production. And because they were better quality than most, they gathered a relatively large audience for Camino videos. He liked this sort of travel and he liked making videos. People liked watching them. The Patreon happened afterwards with the idea that he could do more of what he loves. I really don't see him as some sort of cynical YouTube professional looking to exploit the Camino to capture viewers. I may not always agree with his choices, but having watched his content from the beginning, I don't see in quite the manipulator that you obviously perceive.

 

[Former member 91017]

Maybe he does and maybe he doesn't. Having followed his YouTube content since his first Camino, I have a slightly different impression of him. The way I see it, when he did his first Camino Frances it was for the same sorts of reasons that most people do. He wasn't a big YouTuber with a big following at the time. He was someone walking a Camino and recording his Camino and sharing it, as many other amateurs do. You can see tons of them in my video list. His happened to be of a better production quality than most, because that's what he does for a living - film production. And because they were better quality than most, they gathered a relatively large audience for Camino videos. He liked this sort of travel and he liked making videos. People liked watching them. The Patreon happened afterwards with the idea that he could do more of what he loves. I really don't see him as some sort of cynical YouTube professional looking to exploit the Camino to capture viewers. I may not always agree with his choices, but having watched his content from the beginning, I don't see in quite the manipulator that you obviously perceive.

Yeah... I don't see a manipulator either.
There are many people making a living off the camino. I see no reason to consider his efforts to be stunts...
I mean... Isn't the Botafeimero a "stunt" to many (who complain mightily as tourists if it does not swing when they attend mass)? Are there not many thousands who attend mass in the Cathedral who treat it as a kind of sparkly reward for their walk, even if they are not Catholic? do not believe in the saint? think Catholics are weird and superstitious and backward? complain that the camino is 'too Catholic'? and on and on because it's become a cheap holiday with some exotic spectacles attached?
There are so many who assert -- even here on the forum -- that it is better to walk 400 km of meseta and never arrive in Santiago than it is to walk the last and attend mass (presumably as a faithful person, with all that entails)?
Like... I'm sorry, but you know: ask the Catholic Church if the saint is irrelevant.
One of the things I am really interested in with Efren's videos -- in addition to his sense of visual narrative/structure -- is how much he loves the churches.
I have a difficult relationship with the faith of my upbringing, but I would never blithely traipse into anyone's faith, declare it foolish, then complain that they hadn't trotted out what I seem to think of as an elaborate disco ball when I wanted to see it....
What am I getting at?
There is indeed so much cynicism out there, so much petulance... But none of us has suffered because EG did away with his compostelas....
Ours are still wherever we have chosen to keep them.
I have seen no outrage directed at those who declare on the forum some version of "my stamp booklets are more important to me than the Compostela..." and yet that is certainly a disregard for the certificate. EG may be something of a cypher in this discussion, and thus, a holding-place for some kind of projected frustration, but I will still aver that he deserves at least as generous approach as we take to anyone who opens a private albergue or a bar on an established camino road, at least as generous an approach as we take to the crowd that assembles to see the botafumeiro and treats the mass before it as a necessary pain in the butt, at least as generous as we are to those who think Santiago is beside the point and that the real purpose is to navel gaze anywhere *except* in the last 100k, at least as generous as we are to those who think the credenciale is more meaningful....
None of that has to diminish any of our own reasons for walking, for treasuring the Compostela, etc.
*AND* I hope that people stop burning things at Fisterra... but Efren neither invented nor popularized that practice. He's a *minor* player in things camino.... and honestly, the environmental issue pales in comparison to the carbon footprint of some walkers to fly yearly caminos...

 

[davebugg]

I may not always agree with his choices, but having watched his content from the beginning, I don't see in quite the manipulator that you obviously perceive.

I have had several contacts with Efren through emails when he was considering what equipment and gear to use for the Via Francigena; I thought I might be able to offer some input that might help. I did notice that some items I suggested, like the zPacks Duplex tent, became part of his kit. I do not know if it was BECAUSE of my suggestions or just coincidental.

Previous to his failed attempt at the Appalachian Trail thru-hike (he says he is now approaching it as a section hike), I would have agreed with your assessment in the quote above. There is nothing wrong with monetizing doing something you enjoy doing.

Of course, the old saying goes that if you love a hobby or recreational activity, turning it into a job changes the nature of what you once did out of sheer enjoyment.

The turning point was when Efren set up a donation fund categorized 'Trail Angels'. It was specific for helping support his AT hike. Again, no big deal. But when he quit the thru-hike and detailed his reasons why, he did not offer to refund the donations. That rubbed me the wrong way.

Shortly after quitting the thru-hike, Efren suddenly decided to head to Spain for his latest Camino series. He decided to use the donations made for his thru-hike to help fund this latest trip. Again, that just left a bad taste in my mouth. I am NOT accusing Efren of doing anything illegal because I am aware of him refunding donations to two people I know, but only AFTER they specifically contacted him to ask for their donations back.

The issue I have is that Efren should have either automatically sent back contributions given to support the hike, or made contact to ask if he could keep those donations to be used for other projects.

 

[RJM]

Maybe he does and maybe he doesn't. Having followed his YouTube content since his first Camino, I have a slightly different impression of him. The way I see it, when he did his first Camino Frances it was for the same sorts of reasons that most people do. He wasn't a big YouTuber with a big following at the time. He was someone walking a Camino and recording his Camino and sharing it, as many other amateurs do. You can see tons of them in my video list. His happened to be of a better production quality than most, because that's what he does for a living - film production. And because they were better quality than most, they gathered a relatively large audience for Camino videos. He liked this sort of travel and he liked making videos. People liked watching them. The Patreon happened afterwards with the idea that he could do more of what he loves. I really don't see him as some sort of cynical YouTube professional looking to exploit the Camino to capture viewers. I may not always agree with his choices, but having watched his content from the beginning, I don't see in quite the manipulator that you obviously perceive.

Manipulator? Nothing that serious or nefarious. Nah, just a showman. An actor or any other similar title. In ancient times what would have been a court jester. Entertainer.

 

[JillGat]

Yeah... I don't see a manipulator either.
There are many people making a living off the camino. I see no reason to consider his efforts to be stunts...
I mean... Isn't the Botafeimero a "stunt" to many (who complain mightily as tourists if it does not swing when they attend mass)? Are there not many thousands who attend mass in the Cathedral who treat it as a kind of sparkly reward for their walk, even if they are not Catholic? do not believe in the saint? think Catholics are weird and superstitious and backward? complain that the camino is 'too Catholic'? and on and on because it's become a cheap holiday with some exotic spectacles attached?
There are so many who assert -- even here on the forum -- that it is better to walk 400 km of meseta and never arrive in Santiago than it is to walk the last and attend mass (presumably as a faithful person, with all that entails)?
Like... I'm sorry, but you know: ask the Catholic Church if the saint is irrelevant.
One of the things I am really interested in with Efren's videos -- in addition to his sense of visual narrative/structure -- is how much he loves the churches.
I have a difficult relationship with the faith of my upbringing, but I would never blithely traipse into anyone's faith, declare it foolish, then complain that they hadn't trotted out what I seem to think of as an elaborate disco ball when I wanted to see it....
What am I getting at?
There is indeed so much cynicism out there, so much petulance... But none of us has suffered because EG did away with his compostelas....
Ours are still wherever we have chosen to keep them.
I have seen no outrage directed at those who declare on the forum some version of "my stamp booklets are more important to me than the Compostela..." and yet that is certainly a disregard for the certificate. EG may be something of a cypher in this discussion, and thus, a holding-place for some kind of projected frustration, but I will still aver that he deserves at least as generous approach as we take to anyone who opens a private albergue or a bar on an established camino road, at least as generous an approach as we take to the crowd that assembles to see the botafumeiro and treats the mass before it as a necessary pain in the butt, at least as generous as we are to those who think Santiago is beside the point and that the real purpose is to navel gaze anywhere *except* in the last 100k, at least as generous as we are to those who think the credenciale is more meaningful....
None of that has to diminish any of our own reasons for walking, for treasuring the Compostela, etc.
*AND* I hope that people stop burning things at Fisterra... but Efren neither invented nor popularized that practice. He's a *minor* player in things camino.... and honestly, the environmental issue pales in comparison to the carbon footprint of some walkers to fly yearly caminos...

An elaborate disco ball! I love some of these depictions, cynical as they may be. I don't judge people for any of these reasons or motives for walking the Camino, as long as they don't wear convertible shants or Macabe skirts while they do it (I'm JUST KIDDING!)

 

[David Tallan]

I have had several contacts with Efren through emails when he was considering what equipment and gear to use for the Via Francigena; I thought I might be able to offer some input that might help. I did notice that some items I suggested, like the zPacks Duplex tent, became part of his kit. I do not know if it was BECAUSE of my suggestions or just coincidental.

Previous to his failed attempt at the Appalachian Trail thru-hike (he says he is now approaching it as a section hike), I would have agreed with your assessment in the quote above. There is nothing wrong with monetizing doing something you enjoy doing.

Of course, the old saying goes that if you love a hobby or recreational activity, turning it into a job changes the nature of what you once did out of sheer enjoyment.

The turning point was when Efren set up a donation fund categorized 'Trail Angels'. It was specific for helping support his AT hike. Again, no big deal. But when he quit the thru-hike and detailed his reasons why, he did not offer to refund the donations. That rubbed me the wrong way.

Shortly after quitting the thru-hike, Efren suddenly decided to head to Spain for his latest Camino series. He decided to use the donations made for his thru-hike to help fund this latest trip. Again, that just left a bad taste in my mouth. I am NOT accusing Efren of doing anything illegal because I am aware of him refunding donations to two people I know, but only AFTER they specifically contacted him to ask for their donations back.

The issue I have is that Efren should have either automatically sent back contributions given to support the hike, or made contact to ask if he could keep those donations to be used for other projects.

I have to admit that bothered (and bothers) me, too. I think of it every time I see him credit them on his Camino videos. It seems like a bait and switch, although I trust that he genuinely thought he would complete the AT when setting up the fund. I am glad to hear he is providing refunds to those who request them.

 

[JillGat]

He should donate those AT funds to other trail angels who help hikers.

 

[Former member 91017]

Honestly... I think that if people want refunds they should ask him. And I think that certainly many who donated donated not for the sake of seeing him do the AT, but for the sake of being able to dream of being *anywhere* other than our living rooms...

Most of the comments on his videos since he left the AT say things like, "So happy to see you enjoying yourself again..." not "Wow you ripped us off! We want our money back! We so enjoyed seeing you miserable on the AT."

I certainly didn't donate to see him miserable.
My spouse didn't donate to see him miserable.

And we learned that the AT is not for us. Worth the price of admission... kept us from giving up hope when it was so bleak at the grey end of winter where we live...

I've been walking the Bruce Trail and I have to say that while I love the nature part of it... I would never try to walk a through hike on anything similar... even with "shelter support". I need the cultural history -- the art, the architecture, the food, the alternate routes, the vistas... the community of locals who want us to succeed.

If others are not complaining and demanding money back -- which, yeah, I admit I find sad as an idea because it suggests that people wanted to watch him continue to suffer crowds, weird unmasked shuttles to towns pockmarked with McDonald's and little else, not that they wanted to learn about new and enjoyable trails -- then I don't think there's much need to feel outraged on their behalf.

Certainly do not feel outraged on my behalf for the $100 we sent. Nobody else's camino videos of anywhere have taken my breath away so consistently with the beauty of the locations that I may never get to see in person.

Finally, he surveyed his subscribers before he went back to the caminos. He asked if we wanted to see him do the Colorado trail, or if we preferred to see European routes.... The European routes won. ...and then there was another survey after the 3 short ones. Would we prefer to see the VdLP or the LePuy? LePuy won...

 

[davebugg]

Certainly do not feel outraged on my behalf for the $100 we sent. Nobody else's camino videos of anywhere have taken my breath away so consistently with the beauty of the locations that I may never get to see in person.

I want to address this first: I do not feel 'outraged'. You made reference to this more than once in your post. Unless you have heard me state as much, or can hear my voice or see my body language then attempting to assign emotional content to written words is a bit of a diversion. And just as you state that you do not want me to speak on your behalf, you cannot speak on behalf of other donors.,

Most of the comments on his videos since he left the AT say things like, "So happy to see you enjoying yourself again..." not "Wow you ripped us off! We want our money back! We so enjoyed seeing you miserable on the AT."

This mischaracterizes what I wrote. I took pains to state that I did not believe Gonzalez did anything illegal. The issue isn't about what others have said in YouTube comments, it is about what Gonzalez did not do. Nor is the issue about about forcing him to complete a project that he doesn't want to complete, but about him taking some sort of affirmative action to give back funds donated in good faith, rather than wait to see if people would 'let it ride'.

If others are not complaining and demanding money back -- which, yeah, I admit I find sad as an idea because it suggests that people wanted to watch him continue to suffer crowds, weird unmasked shuttles to towns pockmarked with McDonald's and little else, not that they wanted to learn about new and enjoyable trails -- then I don't think there's much need to feel outraged on their behalf.

Public complaints are not evidence of donor dissatisfaction. I, for example, never published YouTube comments.

Gonzalez is not a 501c3 charity. He is wanting donations to fund personal activities toward earning a living. This isn't an amateur raising money to help others in need.

Those who responded to Gonzalez's active request for donations to fund his AT project, but may now want a refund, are not doing so because they wanted him to provide Misery TV entertainment; that is an uncalled for characterization. They do not want him to force march to Maine because they made a donation. If the project failed, then it is very reasonable to ask for the donation back since the project is not going forward. When Gonzalez decided to monetize his projects, then it is reasonable for donors to decide whether or not to expect refunds for projects not fulfilled.

By that same token you can decide how you wish your donation to be used. I also let my donation slide. But this isn't about what decision you or me made; it is about Gonzalez's handling of the situation.

I would imagine that those who are enthusiastic fans of Gonzales will likely be happy to let him keep the donation. But I do not agree with Gonzales making that that the default process for dealing with donor refunds. That is taking the goodwill of his supporters for granted.

Honestly, I disagree. This donation fund was specific for one project, not for a generic and unstated fund me for whatever project.

Finally, he surveyed his subscribers before he went back to the caminos. He asked if we wanted to see him do the Colorado trail, or if we preferred to see European routes.... The European routes won. ...and then there was another survey after the 3 short ones. Would we prefer to see the VdLP or the LePuy? LePuy won...

I am a subscriber. I am also a Member, so support him with a monthly membership fee. I did not take the survey, because I do not care which project he chooses next. Having thru-hiked the Colorado Trail, and a lot of other areas in the Colorado Rockies, I do wonder how well Gonzalez would do with taking on the Colorado Trail, based on the problems he had with the Appalachian Trail. The Colorado Trail is a whole different animal.

I also do not understand how the Survey has anything to do with how Gonzalez chose to handle refunds for a failed project.

 

[Former member 91017]

I want to address this first: I do not feel 'outraged'. You made reference to this more than once in your post. Unless you have heard me state as much, or can hear my voice or see my body language then attempting to assign emotional content to written words is a bit of a diversion. And just as you state that you do not want me to speak on your behalf, you cannot speak on behalf of other donors.,



This mischaracterizes what I wrote. I took pains to state that I did not believe Gonzalez did anything illegal. The issue isn't about what others have said in YouTube comments, it is about what Gonzalez did not do. Nor is the issue about about forcing him to complete a project that he doesn't want to complete, but about him taking some sort of affirmative action to give back funds donated in good faith, rather than wait to see if people would 'let it ride'.



Public complaints are not evidence of donor dissatisfaction. I, for example, never published YouTube comments.

Gonzalez is not a 501c3 charity. He is wanting donations to fund personal activities toward earning a living. This isn't an amateur raising money to help others in need.

Those who responded to Gonzalez's active request for donations to fund his AT project, but may now want a refund, are not doing so because they wanted him to provide Misery TV entertainment; that is an uncalled for characterization. They do not want him to force march to Maine because they made a donation. If the project failed, then it is very reasonable to ask for the donation back since the project is not going forward. When Gonzalez decided to monetize his projects, then it is reasonable for donors to decide whether or not to expect refunds for projects not fulfilled.

By that same token you can decide how you wish your donation to be used. I also let my donation slide. But this isn't about what decision you or me made; it is about Gonzalez's handling of the situation.

I would imagine that those who are enthusiastic fans of Gonzales will likely be happy to let him keep the donation. But I do not agree with Gonzales making that that the default process for dealing with donor refunds. That is taking the goodwill of his supporters for granted.

Honestly, I disagree. This donation fund was specific for one project, not for a generic and unstated fund me for whatever project.



I am a subscriber. I am also a Member, so support him with a monthly membership fee. I did not take the survey, because I do not care which project he chooses next. Having thru-hiked the Colorado Trail, and a lot of other areas in the Colorado Rockies, I do wonder how well Gonzalez would do with taking on the Colorado Trail, based on the problems he had with the Appalachian Trail. The Colorado Trail is a whole different animal.

I also do not understand how the Survey has anything to do with how Gonzalez chose to handle refunds for a failed project.

Comments really not directed @davebugg --- I am frustrated with the tone of the thread in general... and with the idea that he has somehow ripped people off, or that he has done some incredible damage to the value of our compostelas, or that the time we spent in line was compromised because he disposed of his...
If *a person* feels that is so about their own certificates, about their own donations, then so be it.
But the assertion as a general assessment... not so much...

And I dunno about refunds on a failed project. I read it as a learning experience....

I mean, at least I wasn't being subjected to Reese Withspoon butchering *Wild*.

 

[davebugg]

Comments really not directed @davebugg --- I am frustrated with the tone of the thread in general... and with the idea that he has somehow ripped people off, or that he has done some incredible damage to the value of our compostelas, or that the time we spent in line was compromised because he disposed of his...
If *a person* feels that is so about their own certificates, about their own donations, then so be it.
But the assertion as a general assessment... not so much...

And I dunno about refunds on a failed project. I read it as a learning experience....

I mean, at least I wasn't being subjected to Reese Withspoon butchering *Wild*.

I get it and I like Efren and do want him to continue his projects, which is, after all, what both of us want to see happen.

 

[Former member 91017]

An elaborate disco ball! I love some of these depictions, cynical as they may be. I don't judge people for any of these reasons or motives for walking the Camino, as long as they don't wear convertible shants or Macabe skirts while they do it (I'm JUST KIDDING!)

 

[Former member 91017]

As I stated up thread, perhaps we really ought to take the complaint about the popularization of burning things at Fistera (that I really do find odious) to the feet of John Brierly.

"John Brierly’s pilgrim guides, some of the most popular English language pilgrim guides, suggests a ritual process of three stages beginning with bathing in the eastern beach, burning items and contemplating the end of the world at the light house, followed by watching the sunset at the western beach (Brierly, 55)."

From:
EMBODIED CONTESTATION:
ALTERNATIVE RITUAL CONCLUSIONS ON THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
Electronic Version Approved:
Office of Graduate Studies College of Arts and Sciences Georgia State University May 2016
by
CLARE VAN HOLM

citing
Brierly, J. (2015). A Camino Pilgrim's Guide Sarria - Santiago - Finisterre: Including Muxía
camino circuit (Camino Guides) (J. Brierley, Trans.): Camino Guides.

 

[RJM]

As I stated up thread, perhaps we really ought to take the complaint about the popularization of burning things at Fistera (that I really do find odious) to the feet of John Brierly.

"John Brierly’s pilgrim guides, some of the most popular English language pilgrim guides, suggests a ritual process of three stages beginning with bathing in the eastern beach, burning items and contemplating the end of the world at the light house, followed by watching the sunset at the western beach (Brierly, 55)."

From:
EMBODIED CONTESTATION:
ALTERNATIVE RITUAL CONCLUSIONS ON THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
Electronic Version Approved:
Office of Graduate Studies College of Arts and Sciences Georgia State University May 2016
by
CLARE VAN HOLM

citing
Brierly, J. (2015). A Camino Pilgrim's Guide Sarria - Santiago - Finisterre: Including Muxía
camino circuit (Camino Guides) (J. Brierley, Trans.): Camino Guides.

Yeah, that's it. It's John's fault! Let's all blame John and throw aside personal responsibility and choices, lol.
Like when getting scolded as a child for telling mom I did it because the other kids were. I vividly recall doing that when at nine years of age I broke my wrist climbing over a tall wooden fence and coming down wrong on the other side. "Mom, I was doing it because the other kids were".
I was not old enough to know better, or if knew better my child's mind convinced me otherwise.
My guess is that the clothes and shoe burners at Muxia and Fisterre are definitely old to enough to know better (but maybe too immature to care).

 

[RJM]

I commented on Efren's 2017 vlog.

This is what I said:
I wish that you didn't perpetuate the MYTH that pilgrims should burn something in Fisterra. It's disrespectful of the locals, bad for the environment, and illegal!

And his response:
This was my first pilgrimage and I was passing on the information I read on my guidebook. I've moved on from burning my clothes to burning my compostela. I burned three on my last camino

So, he may have removed pictures/videos of burning his Compostela, but apparently still thinks that it is a good practice.

I just looked at his Instagram and this was still on it, at least it was when I looked at it earlier today. Not sure which part of the beach that is at Fisterre or Muxia.

 

[Former member 91017]

Yeah, that's it. It's John's fault! Let's all blame John and throw aside personal responsibility and choices, lol.
Like when getting scolded as a child for telling mom I did it because the other kids were. I vividly recall doing that when at nine years of age I broke my wrist climbing over a tall wooden fence and coming down wrong on the other side. "Mom, I was doing it because the other kids were".
I was not old enough to know better, or if knew better my child's mind convinced me otherwise.
My guess is that the clothes and shoe burners at Muxia and Fisterre are definitely old to enough to know better (but maybe too immature to care).

No that was not my point.
My point was that EG stated in an email that he had read it in a guide book that we are *supposed to* do this… and as it turns out, it’s a guide book that many tens of thousands of people buy and follow almost religiously each year. Down tot he “must walk in 33 days…”
We are all responsible for our own choices, but the power of persuasion of Brierly to encourage absurd choices as some kind of “authority” is more powerful than of a vlogger with a small audience in a niche market.
And I am troubled by what causes the great animosity to a minor player and free pass to a major one. I won’t even begin to address the problems of *the film* that sent great surges of “pilgrims” to Spain since 2011… in numbers not seen since the medieval period…
I think there is a mirror we could all look into to wonder what makes our desires and adventures and spiritual whatever’s so necessary that as a collective we get to stomp all over Spain (leaving as we do, the collective damage of the litter, the carbon footprint of the major travels, the wasted plastics in the form of water bottles and yogurt containers… of everything… everything.
But let’s hang EG from a cruceiro for what unique sin…. ?
Yes, yes… he burnt his underpants… and then his compostelas….
Well… again Brierly encourages people to engage in the burning but remains “St. John” to many…. and there are no “pile ons” against those who “discount” the compostela with their assertions to others here that in the end the credenciale is more meaningful, more important and that their compostelas will end up shoved in a drawer somewhere.
There’s some internal inconsistency and I can’t figure out what is motivating it.
Feels like a burr in my shoe…

 

[David Tallan]

I won’t even begin to address the problems of *the film* that sent great surges of “pilgrims” to Spain since 2011… in numbers not seen since the medieval period…

I think we English-speakers have a tendency to overestimate the impact of "the film" on the surge of pilgrims in the latter part of the 20th century and the early part of the 21st. Certainly, it created an uptick at the time in the number of Americans on the Camino. But, as I recall, if you look at the annual number of compostelas being handed out (which is probably our best proxy for the number of people walking), I think you will see a more or less smooth curve upwards since the late 80s without a huge jump after 2011. It's not completely smooth, that's for sure. But the Holy Years seem to have a much greater impact on the numbers than any film.

I will admit I am going from memory here and haven't looked up the numbers again. If somebody wants to and proves me wrong, I will change my tune with alacrity.

 

[RJM]

No that was not my point.
My point was that EG stated in an email that he had read it in a guide book that we are *supposed to* do this… and as it turns out, it’s a guide book that many tens of thousands of people buy and follow almost religiously each year. Down tot he “must walk in 33 days…”
We are all responsible for our own choices, but the power of persuasion of Brierly to encourage absurd choices as some kind of “authority” is more powerful than of a vlogger with a small audience in a niche market.
And I am troubled by what causes the great animosity to a minor player and free pass to a major one. I won’t even begin to address the problems of *the film* that sent great surges of “pilgrims” to Spain since 2011… in numbers not seen since the medieval period…
I think there is a mirror we could all look into to wonder what makes our desires and adventures and spiritual whatever’s so necessary that as a collective we get to stomp all over Spain (leaving as we do, the collective damage of the litter, the carbon footprint of the major travels, the wasted plastics in the form of water bottles and yogurt containers… of everything… everything.
But let’s hang EG from a cruceiro for what unique sin…. ?
Yes, yes… he burnt his underpants… and then his compostelas….
Well… again Brierly encourages people to engage in the burning but remains “St. John” to many…. and there are no “pile ons” against those who “discount” the compostela with their assertions to others here that in the end the credenciale is more meaningful, more important and that their compostelas will end up shoved in a drawer somewhere.
There’s some internal inconsistency and I can’t figure out what is motivating it.
Feels like a burr in my shoe…

Wow, sounds like you have a bit of a burr about Mr. Brierley, too. Does he owe you money or something? lol
Same with the makers of "the film" that causes problems, though I don't really believe as well that the movie was the sole cause for some enormous surge of pilgrims stampeding to Spain. I think it's just one of several factors to include the internet, youtube, other films and television shows etc. I am sure "the film" and its success in many ways influenced Efren Gonzalez to make his youtube series. Sounds like you just don't like the movie? Either way, I'm sure there are a lot of people in Spain who would disagree with your labeling hordes of pilgrims descending into their country spending millions of dollars as a problem. To some I'm sure it was a Godsend, but I do agree with you on wasted plastics. Ugh.
Nobody said Efren committed a sin and it is a bit harsh and distasteful to make a hanging reference even if meant simply in a symbolic way. He just put on his blog/vlog a photo which could be deemed offensive by many of the Camino community. I'm sure he did it to get a reaction and it did. I found it offensive and expressed that in an internet forum which exists for the sole purpose of discussions about the Camino de Santiago. A normal thing to do. I certainly don't expect everyone to agree with me. Also as I have mentioned before I'm sure he's liking this attention to his videos and such.

 

[Former member 91017]

I think we English-speakers have a tendency to overestimate the impact of "the film" on the surge of pilgrims in the latter part of the 20th century and the early part of the 21st. Certainly, it created an uptick at the time in the number of Americans on the Camino. But, as I recall, if you look at the annual number of compostelas being handed out (which is probably our best proxy for the number of people walking), I think you will see a more or less smooth curve upwards since the late 80s without a huge jump after 2011. It's not completely smooth, that's for sure. But the Holy Years seem to have a much greater impact on the numbers than any film.

I will admit I am going from memory here and haven't looked up the numbers again. If somebody wants to and proves me wrong, I will change my tune with alacrity.

I trust your numbers/memory… I do recall some data on surges from the Americans Because of The Way… By contrast,
I don’t think we can attribute any surges to EG. He’s just not got that kind of reach.

 

[David Tallan]

I trust your numbers/memory… I do recall some data on surges from the Americans Because of The Way… By contrast,
I don’t think we can attribute any surges to EG. He’s just not got that kind of reach.

I agree that EG doesn't have that kind of reach. If we look at some YouTubers who have done Caminos in the context of broader travel vlogging, a few that come to mind are Dixie (Homemade Wanderlust - 383K subscribers), the Worldtowning family (42K subscribers), Sara Dhooma (5.5K subscribers). Efren pulls in a respectable 12K subscribers but I would hardly call him super influential on how people conduct their Caminos.

RJM comments that it is Camino aficionados who are likely to be offended by Efren's actions. Personally, I think it is Camino aficionados who likely make up the bulk of his audience.