Post-Camino Sanctuary? Opinions needed

[Priscillian]

Ivar and other Mods: I do realise I am multi-posting. I hope you will allow me to just this once for my reasons are very genuine ones... Tracy

From the thread Post-Camino Blues:

I have a question for all of you; not just those who have already posted but the 2000 or so who have clicked on this post so far. It is a serious question as it affects my future.
I am currently trying to buy a little house near Muxia. It is a 15 klm GORGEOUS walk through eucalyptus and pine woods or even along the most beautiful beach I have ever seen.
If I were to offer a "Post-Camino" sanctuary for 2 or 3 pilgrims to stay for 2 to 5 days - somewhere to stay and write, to read, or sketch, or play the guitar, or commune with the corn fields (or the donkey next door). Somewhere to reflect, talk about your experiences with a four time pilgrim (who won't tell you all about her Camino: it's Yours that is important) and therapist (and hypnotherapist): me. Or, to simply be silent. Somewhere practical to arrange homeward arrangements, talk to friends on Skype. Eat good food and try local wines. Or just sleep! In short, a "refugio" de verdad.
What do you all think? Would it work? I would have room for a maximum of five.
Muxia is 90 klms north west of Santiago and reachable by bus as is the nearest town. Finisterre to Muxia is 30 klms and a wonderful walk. I personally much prefer Muxia (which remains unspoiled) to Finisterre.
The house is small, stone and wood, 100 years old and in a small village near a larger river town. It has no garden but is surrounded by fields, woods, and a trout stream (which doesn't surround it - that's a moat. You KNOW what I mean!) The sea is 3 klms walk (that beach!)
Would you welcome a chance to stay at a place like this? (There will be a job jar though. Work is part of the Post Camino Therapy!) I am thinking of a minimum of two days, a maximum of five, on a "donativo" basis.
Please continue this thread and post me a PM.
Many thanks
Tracy Saunders
http://www.headstartcentres.org (my therapy site)
http://www.pilgrimagetoheresy.com
http://www.pilgrimagetoheresy.blogspot.com
Priscillian
1.
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[crackmrmac]

Tracy, I'll be in that area next Thursday travelling by "coche" :shock: , will I be able to locate the purple neon light easily?
Buen Camino.

 

[Priscillian]

Lots of purple lights in the campo, and at the side of the highway. But you may get more than you bargained for (so to speak).

 

[Priscillian]

Dear All,
To make things easier I have created a separate thread with a LINK to a questionnaire about this idea of a "Post Camino Sanctuary". The new thread is here in Miscellaneous and is called Post Camino Questionnaire. It only has 9 multiple choice questions and will take you less than five minutes.
PLEASE, do take that time and complete it for me, whether you have ever experienced Post Camino Blues or not. The more interest I can generate the better chance I have in convincing the bank that I am not a nutter! Banks, as you know, lack vision, and although this is certainly not designed to be a main source of income (for that I have my writing and my teaching) any kind of Free-lance or "autonomo" (Self-Employed) work here in Spain is looked upon as a risky bet.
So please be a sweetie, and make your voice count.
Thanks a big bunch.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MNQ93PN

 

[Priscillian]

by Priscillian on 26 Aug 2011, 10:31

Thank you to everyone who has filled out the survey. The response has been overwhelming: so much positive energy and some great ideas too. The community is composed mostly of aging farmers and their wives. If you have travelled through Galicia at all you will have seen how hard they work: those little old ladies in their blue uniforms out there with pick and hoe. It occurred to me that one way to "give back" to the Camino (quite apart from the regular job jar which is simply sharing work within the refuge) would be for pilgrims who WISH to, to help out these people. For example, help with that crop, mending that fence or that old chair, checking that electrical circuit, or even mucking out that donkey! A massive 71% have said they agree with me that work is an integral part of the necessary "meditation" to re-integrate Camino and self back into the "normal" world. Sure, you can sit Za Zen if you want to and no-one will disturb you. But for those who don't mind, this might be a wonderful way for villagers (there are 280 + one) to learn a bit about pilgrims, and teach us all something about LIFE.
PLEASE, as of this morning we are at 171. If you go to my blogspot (or see if the LINK above still works) and scroll down two posts you will find the questionnaire. It'll take you 3 mins. Tops! I REALLY DO NEED YOUR HELP. Can you help me get to 200 by Monday???Tracy Saunders
http://www.pilgrimagetoheresy.blogspot.com

 

[RENSHAW]

Hi there Matron -
What a great idea - I did fill in one of your surveys.
Personally I think think that if you go the 'Donative' way , you WILL get your fingers burnt! If you are going to offer to feed and accomodate , then do not be afraid to set a price of say 25 euros , which you may still have to adjust.

What a DREAM! .. BUT set that tarriff - you are after all providing one incredible opportunity..... .. otherwise there will be plenty of people that will ride you just like that Donkey nextdoor. :mrgreen:

 

[Priscillian]

Hi Renshaw,
Perhaps, but judging from the responses I would be willing to take that chance. The majority of respondents have said that between 20 and 25 euros per day would be reasonable for accommodation and three meals. At least two other people I know who do something similar (Camino Portuguese and Camino Frances) have said that 20 is the average and that's fine by me. If some can't or won't pay that, then others will help to subsidise. It IS going to be my home remember, and the LAST thing I want is a "pilgrim business". I trust pilgrims, especially those with a recent Compostela, to be honest. And then there's that job jar ...
Sooner or later, the barn attached will give up its donkey, and the farmer has already said he would be open to negotiations for both barn and the garden patch next door (the house has no land of its own but is SURROUNDED by land! There is a church directly across the road - St. Martín). That barn, converted, could make a perfect pilgrim spot. So any monies beyond expenses would go towards just that; just as Fernanda has built her 9 bed pilgrim chalet where potatoes used to be. And her place is paradise!
So, no. But I DO appreciate your comments and your support. It IS a dream, but you know what they sing:
"You got to have a d-r-e-a-m, if you don' have a d-r-e-a-m, how you gonna have a dream come true...?
Right?

PLEASE KEEP THOSE RESPONSES COMING! I am really hoping for 200 by Monday.
http://www.pilgrimagetoheresy.blogspot.com and scroll down two posts

 

[RENSHAW]

Any chance of some photos Matron?

 

[Priscillian]

Not just yet for important reasons...

 

[Priscillian]

Please see MISCELLANEOUS for important news!
http://www.pilgrimagetoheresy.blogspot.com