Mystery

[williamlittig]

Why are there no soap dishes in Spanish showers?

 

[Icacos]

Has it been a slow morning for you?

 

[VNwalking]

So long as we are airing such gripes, why are there so rarely hooks on the backs of the doors in albergue showers?

 

[Anniesantiago]

Why are there no soap dishes in Spanish showers?

So nobody has to clean them?

 

[naplesdon]

Just as bizarre. I recently stayed a place where the ceramic toilet paper holder had an ash tray molded on its top.

 

[LesBrass]

So long as we are airing such gripes, why are there so rarely hooks on the backs of the doors in albergue showers?

Many years ago when I was planning my first camino, someone on here suggested that I make a home-made S hook for use in showers. My husband made me one from an old wire coat hanger and I use it all the time... often showing it off with pride as other pilgrims oooh and ahhh at my precious little shower jewel

 

[henrythedog]

Why are there no soap dishes in Spanish showers?

And why do they put a little beer-cooler or foot wash (never could decide) next to the toilet?

Has the concept of the absorbent towel - or indeed the towel larger than a table-napkin ever made its way to Spain?

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Why are there no soap dishes in Spanish showers?

Pilgrim theft?

 

[Dani7]

Why are there no soap dishes in Spanish showers?

So nobody forgets their soap?

 

[Anniesantiago]

Just as bizarre. I recently stayed a place where the ceramic toilet paper holder had an ash tray molded on its top.

Now people use it for their phone

 

[Anniesantiago]

And why do they put a little beer-cooler or foot wash (never could decide) next to the toilet?

Has the concept of the absorbent towel - or indeed the towel larger than a table-napkin ever made its way to Spain?

Not sure I've seen that one?

 

[ranthr]

Just as bizarre. I recently stayed a place where the ceramic toilet paper holder had an ash tray molded on its top.

I am so old that I remember those ash trays in most toilets before non-smoking rules arrived.

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

And why do they put a little beer-cooler or foot wash (never could decide) next to the toilet?

Beer-cooler or foot wash?? You mean a bidet, right?!

 

[Jean Ti]

Why are there no soap dishes in Spanish showers?

I suspect a new approach to wash dishes while you take a shower?

 

[amancio]

Just as bizarre. I recently stayed a place where the ceramic toilet paper holder had an ash tray molded on its top.

that is a 70s design feature I have not seen for ages, wow!

 

[henrythedog]

Beer-cooler or foot wash?? You mean a bidet, right?!

So that’s where I’ve been going wrong!

 

[Former member 49149]

Why are there no soap dishes in Spanish showers?

You are evil! Thanks for letting some of the levity escape into the forum!

 

[RJM]

I have stayed in hotels/bungalows in SE Asia that had bottle top openers in the shower.
Have a beer whilst taking a shower? I decided, sure why not. lol

 

[henrythedog]

Not sure I've seen that one?

A bidet Annie.

They’re uncommon in northern England - but inside lavatories and plumbed hot water only arrived in my parents lifetime

 

[Anniesantiago]

A bidet Annie.

They’re uncommon in northern England - but inside lavatories and plumbed hot water only arrived in my parents lifetime

Oooohhhhhh!

 

[JamesVT]

Just as bizarre. I recently stayed a place where the ceramic toilet paper holder had an ash tray molded on its top.

This is a hangover from the “good old days”!

 

[JennyH94]

Many years ago when I was planning my first camino, someone on here suggested that I make a home-made S hook for use in showers. My husband made me one from an old wire coat hanger and I use it all the time... often showing it off with pride as other pilgrims oooh and ahhh at my precious little shower jewel

Hi Les - your S hook sounds genius! Well done and thanks to your husband.
What about posting a photo of it on this thread so we can make our own - what a great thing to share and it's also a terrific gift idea for Camino friends and friends who're travelling.
Cheers from Oz -
Jenny

 

[Kanga]

And why no plugs when there is (rarely, but it happens) a bath?

 

[VNwalking]

And why no plugs when there is (rarely, but it happens) a bath?

Because they probably don't want us to use it.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

So long as we are airing such gripes, why are there so rarely hooks on the backs of the doors in albergue showers?

I always bring my own "S" hook, but I have noticed each year that some of the newer albergues seem to have hooks to hang your clothes.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Hi Les - your S hook sounds genius! Well done and thanks to your husband.
What about posting a photo of it on this thread so we can make our own - what a great thing to share and it's also a terrific gift idea for Camino friends and friends who're travelling.
Cheers from Oz -
Jenny

You can purchase them inexpensively at hardware stores, too.

 

[Icacos]

I always bring my own "S" hook, but I have noticed each year that some of the newer albergues seem to have them.

Oh gosh, I hope that doesn’t become a trend. It would take away all the fun of our griping.

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

I've been dieing to ask...............Why no window screens in Spain?

 

[Icacos]

I've been dieing to ask...............Why no window screens in Spain?

Like mosquito screens? Are there mosquitos in Spain?

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

I would be willing to bet there are.

Once many years ago I was in an albergue and I was trying to swat flies away from my dinner plate during dinner. The Spanish owner of the facility saw me doing this and laughed at me saying, in Spanish, I should not try to kill the national bird of Spain !!!!!!!!!!

 

[Anamya]

I had to explain to my husband (he is Aussie, I was born overseas) what a bidet was during our first camino.
His expression of disbelief and disgust was hilarious. To this day, he has never approached one.

 

[Karl Oz]

I had to explain to my husband (he is Aussie, I was born overseas) what a bidet was during our first camino.
His expression of disbelief and disgust was hilarious. To this day, he has never approached one.

Quite right too.

 

[Icacos]

I had to explain to my husband (he is Aussie, I was born overseas) what a bidet was during our first camino.
His expression of disbelief and disgust was hilarious. To this day, he has never approached one.

You should have told him it was a beer-cooler. That would have made him happy.

 

[Anamya]

You should have told him it was a beer-cooler. That would have made him happy.

And then he would divorce me once he found out the truth after drinking a beer that touched a bidet. Man, I can SO see him flipping at it.

Back on the original topic, I never noticed the lack of soap dishes... But then, I usually bring my own soap and balance everything on top of the toiletries case

 

[Annette london]

Not sure I've seen that one?

Over 40 years ago....we were in some hotel somewhere and when my Dad came out of the bathroom he said " there's a very handy contraption in there for washing your feet!"
In actual fact, he wasn't far wrong either!
Often now, when I see one, I think of my dear Dad

 

[RJM]

I've been dieing to ask...............Why no window screens in Spain?

I have wondered that myself. That and floor fans. Both could really and inexpensively keep something like an albergue sleeping quarters cool and fly free.

 

[LesBrass]

Hi Les - your S hook sounds genius! Well done and thanks to your husband.
What about posting a photo of it on this thread so we can make our own - what a great thing to share and it's also a terrific gift idea for Camino friends and friends who're travelling.
Cheers from Oz -
Jenny

I can't take all the credit... it was someone on here who gave us the idea... but here it is... in all it's s'marvellous glory

 

[trecile]

I can't see how an S hook helps with the "where to put the soap" problem.

 

[LesBrass]

I can't see how an S hook helps with the "where to put the soap" problem.

No... It would not help in the slightest but after that... There was this...

So long as we are airing such gripes, why are there so rarely hooks on the backs of the doors in albergue showers?

Hence my beloved S hook

 

[henrythedog]

And then he would divorce me once he found out the truth after drinking a beer that touched a bidet. Man, I can SO see him flipping at it

Have you ever seen documentary proof that he’s an Aussie or does he just say he is?

I only know a couple of Aussie males these days, but both would take great pride (and many pictures) in drinking beer under those circumstances.

 

[Icacos]

Have you ever seen documentary proof that he’s an Aussie or does he just say he is?

I only know a couple of Aussie males these days, but both would take great pride (and many pictures) in drinking beer under those circumstances.

Why am I inclined to believe you?!

 

[JennyH94]

I can't take all the credit... it was someone on here who gave us the idea... but here it is... in all it's s'marvellous glory

View attachment 64819View attachment 64820View attachment 64821

Thanks Les for the photos - and thanks again to your husband (and the Forum member who shared the S-hook idea).
I really like it that you've used a plastic-covered wire hanger - better than the usual wire hanger from the dry cleaners.
One of these hooks will be joining my bathroom kit on my next Camino!
Cheers from Oz -
Jenny

 

[Ian L]

My solution for the no soap dish issue was this soap caddy: Coghlan's Soap Caddy

You can hang it from the shower fixture or your neck.

 

[gerip]

Many years ago when I was planning my first camino, someone on here suggested that I make a home-made S hook for use in showers. My husband made me one from an old wire coat hanger and I use it all the time... often showing it off with pride as other pilgrims oooh and ahhh at my precious little shower jewel

Or buy one in a home improvement store. They’re for hanging paint cans.

 

[Max ***]

Many years ago when I was planning my first camino, someone on here suggested that I make a home-made S hook for use in showers. My husband made me one from an old wire coat hanger and I use it all the time... often showing it off with pride as other pilgrims oooh and ahhh at my precious little shower jewel

do you mind, please, to post - here - a pic of it?

 

[gerip]

I would be willing to bet there are.

Once many years ago I was in an albergue and I was trying to swat flies away from my dinner plate during dinner. The Spanish owner of the facility saw me doing this and laughed at me saying, in Spanish, I should not try to kill the national bird of Spain !!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jeff Crawley]

My solution for the no soap dish issue was this soap caddy: Coghlan's Soap Caddy

You can hang it from the shower fixture or your neck.

I've got one of those but it was used as a key safe when I went sea kayaking - a soggy electronic car key doesn't work very well/at all.

 

[LesBrass]

do you mind, please, to post - here - a pic of it?

here it is Happy Showering

I can't take all the credit... it was someone on here who gave us the idea... but here it is... in all it's s'marvellous glory

View attachment 64819View attachment 64820View attachment 64821

 

[doctorherman]

Why are there no soap dishes in Spanish showers?

This really deep question should be sent to John Brierley so he can put it in the next edition of his guidebook, on the first page of one of his stages under the section titled 'The Mystical Path'.

 

[Hurry Krishna]

Just as bizarre. I recently stayed a place where the ceramic toilet paper holder had an ash tray molded on its top.

Hey, what is this? We are now complaining about things ‘not’ provided as well as about things provided? I’d like to see some Spaniards doing a walk in UK or Oz and what they find weird.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Hey, what is this? We are now complaining about things ‘not’ provided as well as about things provided? I’d like to see some Spaniards doing a walk in UK or Oz and what they find weird.

Good point!

 

[BPG2017]

Over 40 years ago....we were in some hotel somewhere and when my Dad came out of the bathroom he said " there's a very handy contraption in there for washing your feet!"
In actual fact, he wasn't far wrong either!
Often now, when I see one, I think of my dear Dad

My Dad was an unconditional fan of bidets. He used it regularly after his morning bathroom. And why ever not? You (male) can't always shower after a Number Two, but a little bidet session is much eco-friendlier than moist towelettes. Of course, you need to live in a house that has females in it, otherwise you'd never dare to put one in...

 

[MoniRose]

Why not buy a bunch a gift them!

 

[Sansthing]

If you put your bar of soap in one of those little mesh bags that lemons etc come in, and tie it off with string, you can then hang the bag from your 'S' hook. You can use the soap without taking it out of the bag!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I dislike bidets. They take up too much floor space in small European bathrooms and are just an extra thing for housekeeping to clean. Even if a person uses them, it's another another towel to wash and dry that isnt necessary...just my opinion. I live in the U.S. where you rarely encounter them.

 

[trecile]

I dislike bidets. They take up too much floor space in small European bathrooms and are just an extra thing for housekeeping to clean. Even if a person uses them, it's another another towel to wash and dry that isnt necessary...just my opinion. I live in the U.S. where you rarely encounter them.

The answer is a bidet toilet seat, like they have in Japan. https://washlet.totousa.com/?gclid=...9Zb38q-JIuWR605gb89OuPSpfWNfQ-MkaAufkEALw_wcB

 

[annakappa]

I dislike bidets. They take up too much floor space in small European bathrooms and are just an extra thing for housekeeping to clean. Even if a person uses them, it's another another towel to wash and dry that isnt necessary...just my opinion. I live in the U.S. where you rarely encounter them.

Are you male or female? Bidets are a God-send for ladies with their period.
You will find a bidet in most Southern European houses (plus I've seen them in offices in Italy). The bathrooms were built to include a bidet! I have lived in Switzerland, Italy, France and Spain, and have always found a bidet in the bathroom.
Another towel to wash? You certainly don't need a bathtowel, just a little hand towel!
Come to that, who suffers from haemorrhoids find them useful too.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Are you male or female? Bidets are a God-send for ladies with their period.
You will find a bidet in most Southern European houses (plus I've seen them in offices in Italy). The bathrooms were built to include a bidet! I have lived in Switzerland, Italy, France and Spain, and have always found a bidet in the bathroom.
Another towel to wash? You certainly don't need a bathtowel, just a little hand towel!
Come to that, who suffers from haemorrhoids find them useful too.

Hi Anna, I am female and have never used a bidet, so the old saying "you don't miss what you don't know" or "ignorance is bliss" is probably true for me. I prefer more floor space in the small European bathrooms since I have no interest in using a bidet, but I respect your reasoning for their usefulness.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

There are other ways to solve the same problem that the bidet does.
Groom of the Stool

 

[Camino Chrissy]

There are other ways to solve the same problem that the bidet does.
Groom of the Stool

Very interesting, Rick. I'll continue solving my own "problems" for as long as I can...no bidet, no helper!

 

[Old Kiwi]

I sympathise with the problem of no hooks to hang your clothes on while showering. While in Pamplona on my last Camino, I came across one of those cheap Asian shops where I found a couple of those hooks with a suction cup. You put it against a smooth surface and pull the hook down into place which creates suction in the cup. To remove just pull the hook back up again. They will take a lot of weight. I have used them on all sorts of surfaces even windows when there was nowhere else. They are not as cheap as a home-made S hook but are more convenient. On my last morning in Fisterra I left them in the shower so I hope another pilgrim now has them.

 

[Aysen Mustafa]

Many years ago when I was planning my first camino, someone on here suggested that I make a home-made S hook for use in showers. My husband made me one from an old wire coat hanger and I use it all the time... often showing it off with pride as other pilgrims oooh and ahhh at my precious little shower jewel

Somebody here recommended bringing one along and I was very glad I did. Now if anyone needs packing advice and its not in their list, I recommend it.

 

[Sam - AU]

I can't see how an S hook helps with the "where to put the soap" problem.

I can help with this one ... soap net bags!
They turn a bar of soap into a whole new lathered showering experiencing, they also exfoliate at the same time and then allows you to hang it up to dry afterwards!
A cheap little lightweight camino luxury!

 

[Marcus-UK]

Why are there no soap dishes in Spanish showers?

Why do they use frosted glass in the windows of aircraft Toilets (in the days of toilets having windows of course:-} Think VC10, Bristol Britannia)?

 

[Marcus-UK]

I can help with this one ... soap net bags!
They turn a bar of soap into a whole new lathered showering experiencing, they also exfoliate at the same time and then allows you to hang it up to dry afterwards!
A cheap little lightweight camino luxury!

Diy instructions for Soap Net Bag:

https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Soap-Holder-out-of-a-Bag-of-Onions/

 

[Glenshiro]

I found a couple of those hooks with a suction cup. You put it against a smooth surface and pull the hook down into place which creates suction in the cup

And why no plugs when there is (rarely, but it happens) a bath?

I have one of those suction hooks - it also doubles as a sink/bath plug.

 

[Jean & Claude]

I can't see how an S hook helps with the "where to put the soap" problem.

...well, you could put and use your bar of soap in a little mesh bag (kind of like soap on a rope) and then use your “S” hook ...editing here - I see I’m not the only one with this brilliant idea

 

[Richmond Gardner]

So nobody forgets their soap?

Although, I still manage to leave my soaps behind!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

It just occurred to me that two metal shower curtain hooks can make a S hook. Later the hooks can be shut for uses like hanging things from your pack (water bottles, clothes, etc.)

 

[Caligal]

So long as we are airing such gripes, why are there so rarely hooks on the backs of the doors in albergue showers?

I wondered the same thing when i had to put my towel on the floor outside the shower.

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

Such an easy fix.........

 

[Anna Cameron]

Has it been a slow morning for you?

 

[Anna Cameron]

I am so old that I remember those ash trays in most toilets before non-smoking rules arrived.

Ditto. Or, if the ashtray was absent, then plenty of cigarette burns everywhere.

 

[mdelag]

The answer is a bidet toilet seat, like they have in Japan. https://washlet.totousa.com/?gclid=...9Zb38q-JIuWR605gb89OuPSpfWNfQ-MkaAufkEALw_wcB

I have read all the comments about BIDET, really think it’s just a matter of culture. But now a days, it serves as a very eco-friendly “tool”. And I think the albergues that have them are careful about the cleaning as they have to be with tubs and shower curtains. Just enjoy your stay, wherever you decide, the Camino gives us much more than “bidets”, and no soap dishes...
Buen Camino...