Week 10 – 7/26 to 8/1
This week was painful. Even though I managed to hitch-hike 580km, I still ended up spending 61€ on a train ticket, and lets just say Paris was NOT made for budget travel. I’m just going to get this one out of the way and hope the coming weeks make up for it! I have many plans to insure that they do. Food: €82.87 Accomidation: €138 Misc: €52.30 Transportation: €72.90 Total: €346.07 A new record high. Transportation included a train the last 500km to Paris, and many Metro tickets within Paris. Misc costs included things like maps, which were very necessary when hitch-hiking, and a new German phrasebook (since I’m headed that direction!). I have plenty of time to make up for this week fortunately. Couch surfing and WWOOFing will be my savior...
Week 9 – 7/19 to 7/25
This was an amazing week. The generosity of other people, particularly other pilgrims, really amazed me throughout it. I still did not have my debit card, so I was on a very limited budget (the money I had left in my pocket). I managed to save a TON of money by only staying at places that met my price limit, and only eating food I bought at super markets. Also, I pretty much cut the coffee out completely. Food: €41.98 Accomidation: €11 Misc: €9.15 Total: €61.13 Furthermore, the hostpitaleros in Burgos were amazing! They allowed me to stay there for 4 nights completely free of charge as I waited for my card. When I offered them money they just said to save it for food. What a great experience. It’s to bad I’ve had to leave the camino behind. On...
Week 8 – 7/12 to 7/18
So this week went MUCH better. I started walking alone on the Camino Frances from Pamplona on the 13th and have been doing amazing with my money ever since. Food: €58.51 Accomidation: €35.50 Misc: €9 Total: €103.01 Those are the numbers for the whole week. The last 5 days of the week were really good though, and if I can keep it up things will be golden. Last 5 Days of The Week Food: €25.51 Accomidation: €21.50 Misc: €2.80 Total: €50.81 I managed to lower my spending a number of ways. First off I no longer stop at bars for coffee and snacks throughout my day walking. That means I tend to get where I´m going faster AND save money. Also, I ONLY eat food I buy from supermarkets. No pilgrim menus or bocadillas at resturants for me. Finally, I set a...
Week 7 – 7/5 to 7/11
This was a bad bad week for spending money. Arriving in Finisterre, going out to eat and for drinks with many friends for the last time, and transportation costs really killed me. It was really the food though that did it. I will have to cut my spending HUGE amounts over the next few weeks just to make up for this one. I must admit it was a wonderful week in general though. Food: €165.60 Accomidation: €55 Misc: €31.15 Transportation: €57.25 (Bus from Muxia to Santiago: 6.25€ and Trains from Santiago to Pamplona 51€) Total: €309.60 Terrifying… But now I am walking alone on the Camino Frances with only a small amount of money. I will not spend any more than this money because I will not have a new debit card until I reach Burgos. Therefore I am...
Week 6 – 6/28 to 7/4
It is hard to believe that I have only been in Spain for 6 weeks. It feels like months and months at the very least! The Via de la Plata is absolutely amazing though. I love everything about it. Another expensive few days. This week included Santiago though, where rooms were a bit more expensive than on The Way, and of course celebration was absolutely necessary for both Santiago AND the 4th of July! Food: €114 Accomidation: €49 Misc: €2 Total: €165
Week 5 – 6/21 to 6/27
Finally another week where I am happy with what I spent. Cheap rooms, and less spent on food is clearly the key. While it may be a little more difficult to make your own food, it´s definitely worth the savings. Plus you might end up with an amazing assortment of bocadillas. Who knew bananas would be so good on a sandwich which also contains peppers, cheese, turkey, olives, and more! I will add pictures right here of some spectacular bocadillas when I get around to uploading them. Food: €89 Accomidation: €33 Misc: €3.10 Total: €125.10
