Manjarin: Tomás Martinez de Paz, the last templar

[Ianinam]

Everybody who has walked the Camino Francés knows the albergue in Manjarin. An albergue for six pilgrims, without water and electricity, but full of hospitality.
Tomás Martinez de Paz started this albergue in 1993 in an old, abandoned school in Manjarin.
Recently the roof has collapsed, in 2024 an attempt will be made to restore the roof.
Tomás himself has had an open heart surgery and is not allowed anymore to climb the 1500 metres to his albergue.

In honour of him, the Dutch Confraternity of Saint James will publish an article about Tomás and his albergue in the next quarterly magazine for their members. Does anybody have a good photograph in good quality (at least 2 MB) of Tomás himself? we have lots of photographs of the direction post in front of the albergue indicating the way to Jerusalem, Santiago and Rome, but not a real good photo of Tomás himself, preferable dressed in his white tunic with a red cross on it.

If you have a good photograph, please send me a pm, so I can give you my e-mailaddress.
Keep my fingers crossed, many thanks in advance!

If anybody is interested in the full story, I can write it here (translated in English) after the 'Jacobsstaf' (the name of the magazine) is printed and sent to our members by the end of June.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I have a good photo of Thomas, but I am also in it. I will PM you.

 

[Ianinam]

Thank you Annie, I have seen it and I really appreciate it! But I am afraid this photo unfortunately does not meet the requirements for printing (2 MB). So we'll keep on looking....

 

[Anniesantiago]

Thank you Annie, I have seen it and I really appreciate it! But I am afraid this photo unfortunately does not meet the requirements for printing (2 MB). So we'll keep on looking....

I’m not a techie so I’m not sure what you mean by too small but I am working off my phone and probably have a larger copy on my computer at home. I can try sending it as a larger photo and see if that helps as well. Sorry if it doesn’t work out. It was such a nice experience.

 

[Anniesantiago]

In case anyone would like to see it. I thought it was a great photo of him and it was such a great night. I had stayed there back in 2006 and a young man showed up at dinner time in raggedy clothes and barefoot and was not speaking at all. Several of us, me included, were put off by the young man, but Tomas immediately recognize that he was walking a pilgrimage in silence. I learned a big lesson as I watched him gently take the man’s pack off of his back and see him at our table, as though he were Christ himself. It brings tears to my eyes now as I remember.

I also remember how he changed my viewpoint. When we first arrived and went up the stairs, there were mattresses on the floor of the attic. There was no running water, no water and no facilities except for a hole in the ground with a little shed around it but it remains one of my favorite nights on the Camino, Santiago, and all the years I’ve been walking I have other photos of that first night if anyone is interested.

Tonight I am in Los Arcos and I am sick.
This memory made me feel feel better

 

[mikelynch22]

I have one of him speaking to another pilgrim. How do I pm you?

 

[Susan Peacock]

Everybody who has walked the Camino Francés knows the albergue in Manjarin. An albergue for six pilgrims, without water and electricity, but full of hospitality.
Tomás Martinez de Paz started this albergue in 1993 in an old, abandoned school in Manjarin.
Recently the roof has collapsed, in 2024 an attempt will be made to restore the roof.
Tomás himself has had an open heart surgery and is not allowed anymore to climb the 1500 metres to his albergue.

In honour of him, the Dutch Confraternity of Saint James will publish an article about Tomás and his albergue in the next quarterly magazine for their members. Does anybody have a good photograph in good quality (at least 2 MB) of Tomás himself? we have lots of photographs of the direction post in front of the albergue indicating the way to Jerusalem, Santiago and Rome, but not a real good photo of Tomás himself, preferable dressed in his white tunic with a red cross on it.

If you have a good photograph, please send me a pm, so I can give you my e-mailaddress.
Keep my fingers crossed, many thanks in advance!

If anybody is interested in the full story, I can write it here (translated in English) after the 'Jacobsstaf' (the name of the magazine) is printed and sent to our members by the end of

I could probably email the quality you need if this one works and you message me

 

[dadaperegrino]

Hi!
I will attach one picture from June 2023!
I’d love to read the article as well, would you let us know here when it’s available?

Picture: Manjarin 2023

Everybody who has walked the Camino Francés knows the albergue in Manjarin. An albergue for six pilgrims, without water and electricity, but full of hospitality.
Tomás Martinez de Paz started this albergue in 1993 in an old, abandoned school in Manjarin.
Recently the roof has collapsed, in 2024 an attempt will be made to restore the roof.
Tomás himself has had an open heart surgery and is not allowed anymore to climb the 1500 metres to his albergue.

In honour of him, the Dutch Confraternity of Saint James will publish an article about Tomás and his albergue in the next quarterly magazine for their members. Does anybody have a good photograph in good quality (at least 2 MB) of Tomás himself? we have lots of photographs of the direction post in front of the albergue indicating the way to Jerusalem, Santiago and Rome, but not a real good photo of Tomás himself, preferable dressed in his white tunic with a red cross on it.

If you have a good photograph, please send me a pm, so I can give you my e-mailaddress.
Keep my fingers crossed, many thanks in advance!

If anybody is interested in the full story, I can write it here (translated in English) after the 'Jacobsstaf' (the name of the magazine) is printed and sent to our members by the end of June.

 

[Ianinam]

@dadaperegrino, thank you very much!
I will publish the article - translated in English - in this thread as soon as our 'Jacobsstaf' is sent to the members of the Nederlands Genootschap van Sint Jacob (Dutch Confraternity of Saint James). As you are from the Netherlands I suppose you can read Dutch; therefore I will also put a link to the PDF file on our website, where you can read the Jacobsstaf online. Or maybe you are a member? Then you will receive the Jacobsstaf anyway by post.

 

[Ianinam]

@ Susan Peacock, what a phantastic photo! Thank you. I will pm you my e-mailaddress,

 

[dadaperegrino]

Thanks!
I’m not a member, but I look forward to reading the article! Can I share it with a few friends as well?

@dadaperegrino, thank you very much!
I will publish the article - translated in English - in this thread as soon as our 'Jacobsstaf' is sent to the members of the Nederlands Genootschap van Sint Jacob (Dutch Confraternity of Saint James). As you are from the Netherlands I suppose you can read Dutch; therefore I will also put a link to the PDF file on our website, where you can read the Jacobsstaf online. Or maybe you are a member? Then you will receive the Jacobsstaf anyway by post.

 

[JillGat]

Everybody who has walked the Camino Francés knows the albergue in Manjarin. An albergue for six pilgrims, without water and electricity, but full of hospitality.
Tomás Martinez de Paz started this albergue in 1993 in an old, abandoned school in Manjarin.
Recently the roof has collapsed, in 2024 an attempt will be made to restore the roof.
Tomás himself has had an open heart surgery and is not allowed anymore to climb the 1500 metres to his albergue.

In honour of him, the Dutch Confraternity of Saint James will publish an article about Tomás and his albergue in the next quarterly magazine for their members. Does anybody have a good photograph in good quality (at least 2 MB) of Tomás himself? we have lots of photographs of the direction post in front of the albergue indicating the way to Jerusalem, Santiago and Rome, but not a real good photo of Tomás himself, preferable dressed in his white tunic with a red cross on it.

If you have a good photograph, please send me a pm, so I can give you my e-mailaddress.
Keep my fingers crossed, many thanks in advance!

If anybody is interested in the full story, I can write it here (translated in English) after the 'Jacobsstaf' (the name of the magazine) is printed and sent to our members by the end of June.

Thanks so much for the update on Tomas.
Yes, please post the story when it's done, thanks!!

 

[Ianinam]

Thanks!
I’m not a member, but I look forward to reading the article! Can I share it with a few friends as well?

Of course! If we use your photograph we will send you a hard-copy of the magazine to your address of course. I will let you know as soon as our editor-in-chief has made his choice.

 

[Ianinam]

Thsnks so much fpr the update on Tomas.
Yes, please post the story when it's done, thanks!!

Will certainly do that in this thread, translated in English.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

@Cuttooth posted a nice picture of Tomás here:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/camino-photos/pxl_20221021_074750655-jpg.12460/

 

[Ianinam]

@Rick of Rick and Peg: thank you, yes, he/she already sent it to me. Wonderwel photo!

 

[JabbaPapa]

Tomás himself has had an open heart surgery and is not allowed anymore to climb the 1500 metres to his albergue.

He was up there in late 2022.

This "not allowed" stuff is an old story, and whilst it was true for a while, AFAIK it isn't any more.

He has shut down his donativo welcome mainly because there is a lovely young woman who has opened a business selling drinks and snacks in the village, and he quite rightly has no wish to ruin things for her.

Sad to hear about the roof collapsing, and I would guess that's more from having no more young volunteers to help him day to day.

 

[Marian Patricia]

In case anyone would like to see it. I thought it was a great photo of him and it was such a great night. I had stayed there back in 2006 and a young man showed up at dinner time in raggedy clothes and barefoot and was not speaking at all. Several of us, me included, were put off by the young man, but Tomas immediately recognize that he was walking a pilgrimage in silence. I learned a big lesson as I watched him gently take the man’s pack off of his back and see him at our table, as though he were Christ himself. It brings tears to my eyes now as I remember.

I also remember how he changed my viewpoint. When we first arrived and went up the stairs, there were mattresses on the floor of the attic. There was no running water, no water and no facilities except for a hole in the ground with a little shed around it but it remains one of my favorite nights on the Camino, Santiago, and all the years I’ve been walking I have other photos of that first night if anyone is interested.

Tonight I am in Los Arcos and I am sick.
This memory made me feel feel better

There are some like this on Bing images

Everybody who has walked the Camino Francés knows the albergue in Manjarin. An albergue for six pilgrims, without water and electricity, but full of hospitality.
Tomás Martinez de Paz started this albergue in 1993 in an old, abandoned school in Manjarin.
Recently the roof has collapsed, in 2024 an attempt will be made to restore the roof.
Tomás himself has had an open heart surgery and is not allowed anymore to climb the 1500 metres to his albergue.

In honour of him, the Dutch Confraternity of Saint James will publish an article about Tomás and his albergue in the next quarterly magazine for their members. Does anybody have a good photograph in good quality (at least 2 MB) of Tomás himself? we have lots of photographs of the direction post in front of the albergue indicating the way to Jerusalem, Santiago and Rome, but not a real good photo of Tomás himself, preferable dressed in his white tunic with a red cross on it.

If you have a good photograph, please send me a pm, so I can give you my e-mailaddress.
Keep my fingers crossed, many thanks in advance!

If anybody is interested in the full story, I can write it here (translated in English) after the 'Jacobsstaf' (the name of the magazine) is printed and sent to our members by the end of June.

 

[Ianinam]

@Marian Patricia, I know, in fact: we already have this photo. But as we need it for printing, we need photo's of good quality, minimum 2 MB. Internet photo's are not good enough.

 

[Marian Patricia]

@Marian Patricia, I know, in fact: we already have this photo. But as we need it for printing, we need photo's of good quality, minimum 2 MB. Internet photo's are not good enough.

Possibly the source of the photo could be contacted for a higher resolution copy??

 

[JamesCarrion]

Thank you for this. I have often wondered what happened to Tomas. I met him in Manjarin on my first Camino in 2001. I probably have a photo, but only in print, so would need to digitize first.

 

[makingtrax]

In case anyone would like to see it. I thought it was a great photo of him and it was such a great night. I had stayed there back in 2006 and a young man showed up at dinner time in raggedy clothes and barefoot and was not speaking at all. Several of us, me included, were put off by the young man, but Tomas immediately recognize that he was walking a pilgrimage in silence. I learned a big lesson as I watched him gently take the man’s pack off of his back and see him at our table, as though he were Christ himself. It brings tears to my eyes now as I remember.

I also remember how he changed my viewpoint. When we first arrived and went up the stairs, there were mattresses on the floor of the attic. There was no running water, no water and no facilities except for a hole in the ground with a little shed around it but it remains one of my favorite nights on the Camino, Santiago, and all the years I’ve been walking I have other photos of that first night if anyone is interested.

Tonight I am in Los Arcos and I am sick.
This memory made me feel feel better

Hope u ate feeling better quickly. I'm in Rabanal with a bad cough after a dose if delhi belly but still trudging up and onwards. Bon camino Annie

 

[JamesX]

Everyone seems have great experience with him and I must be that few odd ones who was told off by him big time in 2023.
I was there in Oct 2023 and got lost and tried to cross his property to get to the front road. I was told off and he forced me to go back to where I came from where was the lady selling drinks...

 

[nathanael]

Everybody who has walked the Camino Francés knows the albergue in Manjarin. An albergue for six pilgrims, without water and electricity, but full of hospitality.
Tomás Martinez de Paz started this albergue in 1993 in an old, abandoned school in Manjarin.
Recently the roof has collapsed, in 2024 an attempt will be made to restore the roof.
Tomás himself has had an open heart surgery and is not allowed anymore to climb the 1500 metres to his albergue.

In honour of him, the Dutch Confraternity of Saint James will publish an article about Tomás and his albergue in the next quarterly magazine for their members. Does anybody have a good photograph in good quality (at least 2 MB) of Tomás himself? we have lots of photographs of the direction post in front of the albergue indicating the way to Jerusalem, Santiago and Rome, but not a real good photo of Tomás himself, preferable dressed in his white tunic with a red cross on it.

If you have a good photograph, please send me a pm, so I can give you my e-mailaddress.
Keep my fingers crossed, many thanks in advance!

If anybody is interested in the full story, I can write it here (translated in English) after the 'Jacobsstaf' (the name of the magazine) is printed and sent to our members by the end of June.

`sorry but after a day of walking one needs water bath.

 

[Flog]

`sorry but after a day of walking one needs water bath.

After a day of walking, all one really needs is a belly full of food and a bed.. everything else is a bonus.

Clumping your way across Spain in stinking boots and ignoring personal hygiene is one thing, going a single day without home comforts and a hot shower, really isn't the end of the world..

 

[Margaret Butterworth]

Camino Confidential

Slow roads to Santiago...and planning the next trip

caminoconfidential.blogspot.com

A nice photo of him towards the end of my blog entry.

 

[Ianinam]

Thank you @Margaret Butterworth! This is a nice one too, but we received already enough good photo's for our article and our photo-editor made his choice

 

[JabbaPapa]

Everyone seems have great experience with him

Last time I came across him was, well ...

He was walking one of his half-wolves, I said hallo to the "dog", it came up to me and started licking my hand, looking super happy.

I've never seen Tomás looking more shocked !!

 

[wynrich]

Last time I came across him was, well ...

He was walking one of his half-wolves, I said hallo to the "dog", it came up to me and started licking my hand, looking super happy.

I've never seen Tomás looking more shocked !!

Do you think the dog remembered you from a previous time? He must see thousands of people pass every year, never to return.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Do you think the dog remembered you from a previous time? He must see thousands of people pass every year, never to return.

IIRC wolves are better at this than dogs. It's possible.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Kim at the Stone Boat in Rabanal is a professional photographer and a friend of Manjarin and Tomas. I will tell her to get in touch.

 

[Ianinam]

Thank you @Rebekah Scott but we have good photo's now,, thanks to this wonderful forum and its very helpful members!
The text and photo's have to be submitted to the designer soon ...