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Especially when the albergue offers a communal dinner.My favorite is a private room in an albergue
It is cute as a truism but is obviously inadequate as a full analysis!I simply reply, "Then you haven't walked far enough".
As someone who has been a bad sleeper all my life, I can say that neither an extra 10 km, earplugs, nor mask are guarantees of sound sleep. I find it a tad patronizing for someone to tell me with certainty how I will sleep if I do what they suggest. (It is similar to "Do this and you will never get a blister.")With the knowledge that you will sleep, you will sleep deeply.
I agree with this. I like to stay in albergues some of the time, for all of the reasons outlined and in spite of the negatives. Those reasons and some reassurance are what I would explain to other people, encouraging them to try a few nights in albergues.I think not having one or two nights staying in an Albergue is an opportunity missed
This is a very interesting description. I like it!Most people plan their travel strictly according to their expectations, and do not plan to change them. The Camino, as you so well describe, can force your hand (a.k.a. ‘provide’) and that is part of what makes it so valuable of a journey.
After numerous Caminos, I now prefer "a bit of this"(albergues),Well, I was one of those people - until my Camino. Now I couldn't bear the thought of staying in a hotel instead of an Albergue.
Love your account of sleeping in one of the Soldón apartments. Funnily enough, I slept well there - must have taken me back to the farm noises of my childhoodA private 'apartment' overlooking a river, (Invierno) with dozens of croaking 'aroused' Frogs outside the front door, Geese going nuts all night, and competing cockrells each side of the river who didn't give a stuff that it was still the middle of the night LOL. They were all still going nuts as I left an hour before dawn
I have explained to people some of the other benefitsOver the past years, when I tell people I have walked several Caminos, without exception, someone says," Oh, that is something I would so love to do. Tell me more". In the early days, I would quite enthusiastically tell them how fantastic the experience was for me, and in describing Camino life, I would talk about the Albergues.
Nine times out of 10, the person would say, "Oh, I would never stay in an Albergue. With all those people, the lack of privacy, and the noises throughout the night, there is no way I would ever consider staying in such a place". In the early days, I would try to argue for the benefits of such accommodation, the interaction with other pilgrims, communal meals, the companionship with a Camino family and the beauty of some remote locations. None of that worked, and my enquirer would continue protesting that they would have private hotel rooms or wouldn't bother.
Now, when I talk to people who ask me about the Camino and then tell me they would not stay in an Albergue, I simply reply, "Then you haven't walked far enough".
I am saying so with good humour. I assure people that when you have unexpectedly had to walk an extra 10 km, with no places to stop for coffee or refreshments, when you've run low on water and have no snacks available, every step feels like an effort. Then you'll know all the joy of finding an Albergue, even one of the basic spartan ones with 20 blue plastic mattress-covered bunk beds in a small room and one shower. With the knowledge that you will sleep, you will sleep deeply.
I've slept in a grim, overfilled Albergue, which I would have sworn was a competitive snoring event. Where the beds, I am convinced, were moving due to the vibration
But like all Camino veterans, I know to take silicon earplugs and a sleep mask.
I think not having one or two nights staying in an Albergue is an opportunity missed, but as we all know, everyone walks their communal area, and there is no right or wrong way.
Albergues sponsored by associations, parishes, communities and staffed by volunteers are what make the Camino. Their kindness and generosity were a revelation.
Or as a fellow walker said, "I meet a better class of people there".
All part of the wonderful experience that is the Camino.
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