One of the best things on the Camino is the variety of pilgrims. I am not sure of the statistics, but it appears that about half of the pilgrims are women, but the large majority of those under 30 year are women and the majority of those my age are men. Pilgrims come from many countries. The largest group is naturally from Spain, but they only constitute about a third of pilgrims. I have enjoyed speaking with the many English speakers on the Way. The Dutch, the Danes, the Czechs and others whose English is excellent. I have even had a chance to practice my German! The Irish ladies were a hoot. We meet at dinner and shared wine until lights out at 10:00. Today, there is a couple from Cornwall and a pair of sisters from Wales. I haven’t run into anyone from Scotland, but several from the Midlands of England. And, about 20% are from the US.
The albergue (pilgrim’s hostel) is an interesting lodging. Generally, they provide beds in a communal setting. Usually in a large room but usually with dividers between groups of 4 or 6 beds to reduce the effects of snoring. You usually can hear someone snoring, but with earplugs or ear buds, it is usually manageable. The albergue usually provide a communal meal, usually prepared by the staff and occasionally self catered. The food may be pedestrian or quite good but it is always filling. It is served family style with fine local red wines. Navarro, where we are currently located, is famous for its red wines. The showers are usually warm and most of the albergue have some sort of clothes washing facilities (usually hand washing). Clotheslines usually suffice to dry your clothes but the wool socks often require securing to the outside of your pack for the next day’s hike to completely dry.
Albergue typically have a single entrance where you can pay your fees, collect your bed ‘linen’ (usually something disposable) and move to your assigned bed. While I don’t try to tempt anyone, there is very little security for your items and apparently very little need for that. The entrance to the albergue is secured at night but often that is so that the pilgrims are forced to return to the albergue for sleep by 10:00 PM (I don’t need any particular motivation). The albergue can be located in relatively modern buildings in the middle of a medium sized city, it can be in a several hundred year old building which has been converted to an albergue (there are LOTS of old buildings in this region of Spain), in a modern purpose built building or in an actual monastery Albergue from the 12th century. The heaters usually work, but not always. The albergue do provide blankets, usually at no cost. Despite the availability of on line reviews, often we are surprised by our occomidations. But there is always something about them to enjoy. That is the Camino, the Way of St. James.
Buen Camino!
Rick
Below is a typical alberge in a partitioned area of a 14th century church.
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