LIVE from the Camino Live from Valcarlos

[Stellamaris]

I am in Valcarlos now… it seems to me that there is « sort of a wave » already this year. I started at the same time 2 years ago. In Beilari we were 5 pilgrims, yesterday we were 16! Here in Valcarlos we were 6 and now probably 18.
A family of 4 just left because the albergue manager does not come before 7 pm and they were not sure to have some places.

 

[Bradypus]

The SJPDP pilgrim office had a video on their Facebook page a couple of days ago showing the place pretty busy. At the other end of the Frances the pilgrim office in Santiago is reporting large numbers arriving too. 990 today apparently - a lot for this time of year. The Compostela running total so far this year is 20% up on the same period last year. Does sound like a busy time!

 

[mspath]

I am in Valcarlos now… it seems to me that there is « sort of a wave » already this year. I started at the same time 2 years ago. In Beilari we were 5 pilgrims, yesterday we were 16! Here in Valcarlos we were 6 and now probably 18.
A family of 4 just left because the albergue manager does not come before 7 pm and they were not sure to have some places.

Glad that you have arrived and that you have a reservation. Be sure that you carry snacks for the journey tomorrow since there is no shop on the way up to Roncesvalles. Buen camino!

 

[SioCamino]

@Stellamaris it was so lovely to meet you last night! Hi from Roncesvalles, I estimate maybe 60 pilgrims here tonight, maybe more. Buen camino and I hope our paths cross again.

 

[SioCamino]

P.s.the pilgrim office advised me to stay on the road after Valcarlos but many pilgrims followed the camino path with no issues with mud or flooding.

 

[Vacajoe]

Semana Santa starts very soon, so I’m not surprised by the wave starting a hut early.

 

[Stellamaris]

About Valcarlos albergue…
My first night in the Camino was at Beilari and it was just the perfect way to start the Camino. We shared together on what was bringing us to the Camino in a joyful and simple way,and then we shared a gorgeous meal like a family with people from 3 continents. I felt deeply “the camino spirit “.

@Stellamaris it was so lovely to meet you last night! Hi from Roncesvalles, I estimate maybe 60 pilgrims here tonight, maybe more. Buen camino and I hope our paths cross again.

It was indeed so nice to meet and share. Hope also that our paths cross again.
Buen Camino

 

[Stellamaris]

about the Valcarlos albergue(suite)
As I wrote yesterday there was many pilgrims at Valcarlos. There are 2 dormitories but one was locked. The one open can accommodate 12 on bunked beds so it was quickly filled by people with or without reservations. A family of 4 and other peoples with reservations waited from 2 to 7 the arrival of the manager who first washed the floor, then collected the money from the pilgrims who had a bed and then looked after the ones who were waiting. He never asked anyone about reservations or not. It looks like business as usual with no smiles or apparent interest. The only thing that works in the kitchen is a microwave ( the stove and oven, the washing machine are all broken. It was a big contrast with the night before but It’s also the Camino.