"Trips take lots of planning before you get to sit back and relax." --USAToday
For awhile now, I've been telling you about the wonders of a pilgrimage to Camino de Santiago. Except for a few realities (the blisters, the uninspiring views, the bed bugs) it's all been fun and games. I've told you about my excellent boots and hiking poles. We haven't even gotten to my wondrous backpack yet. Or its contents. (Except for the Crocs.) But I'm sure, by now, you are asking yourself:
Just how much does this cost, anyway?
Great question. Before I start the breakdown, I need to explain my Principle of Travel Expense. Like all wise travelers, I set a budget for the trip. Then I proceed to acquire what's needed...hoping that I come somewhere in the range of the budget. I'm prudent, but not fixated. I've committed to the trip, and I'll adjust the expense out of some other area. Some of you are getting twitchy at this moment. Wait till you get to the next part.
Every time--especially for this seven-week adventure--I start out keeping track of expenses. Every time, I sort of dwindle off, usually early in the process. Here's how I started for the Camino:
- Airfare: Free! I hoarded airmiles like a mad woman, just for this experience. As you know, you can book a trip 360 days in advance. Using airline miles can be impossible, so I put the date on my calendar and was online first thing in the morning. Score!
- Hiking boots: $116 ($50 off)
- REI Order 70830094: Trekking poles, Roll-up pants $195.47
- REI Order 71215190: Convertible pants, Ex-Officio underwear, REI top $112.45
So far, so good, huh? But already, my accounting method is doomed. I returned the REI top, but didn't adjust the number. After that, things get sloppy: "Rain poncho, about $10." In all, I listed three more purchases, before giving up.
Here's the second part of my Principle of Travel Expense: If you buy things one at a time, it doesn't count. A pair of SmartWool socks here, a box of safety pins there. My guidebook. Memory cards for the camera. Claritin for hay fever. Those cheap stretchy gloves for cool mornings. The pack of toilet paper I told you about. Am I not going to get them, because I'm worried about price? Hardly. The cool thing about my Principle is that these things just blend in with my regular shopping...therefore, they're practically free! Go ahead, applaud my logic.
Lest you think I am going hog-wild outfitting myself for what is essentially a really, really long walk, please know that I'll pack as much of my own stuff as possible. I already own plenty of travel gear and garments. More money saved. But, to be honest, I will calculate my new clothing and supplies to be about $600.
So, we're down to the direct costs of the Camino. Every single guidebook says I can be quite comfortable on 50 Euros a day. 25 Euros if I'm strapped for cash. Using a generous conversion rate, and 50 Euros a day, this will be about $1225. There will also be a bus or train to get me to Madrid for my flight out: $100. Since I'm starting in Bordeaux (can you think of a better way to get over jet lag?) I'll have a couple nights of hotel, food, and then the TGV to my Camino starting point in St. Jean-Pied-de-Port. Haven't done exact calculations on this yet, but my "on the high side" estimate is $800. Now we can see that I need to come up with about $2300. Maybe a little more for a few trinkets, cabs, etc. I'll say about ten percent. So, let's go with $2600.
Still with me? Good, because it's time for me to tell you about Suzy's Secret Stash. Every week, I put money in an envelope. Every. Single. Week. Sometimes it's $20, sometimes more. That cash is sacred--I don't raid it unless there is an emergency or disaster. Just like the things I buy one at a time, and because I saved it without any fuss, my Secret Stash becomes "free money." When it's time to go, I deposit it for withdrawals along the way--Voila! Done and done.
By now, either you're with me, eager to adopt my system, or you are tearing your hair out. Here's where my method succeeds: In my head, I figured about $4000. And we're at $3200. There may be a few more things: Coffee at the airports, postcards, my "I Did the Camino" t-shirt. But those things won't be close to $800.
And...I'll have supplies for the next adventure. Machu Picchu, anyone?
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