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Poetically Named Albergues, Casa Rurals, Pensions - Signs

Terry Callery

Chi Walker
Sometimes there is s good narrative behind the names of the places we stay at --while on Camino.

Some places, alberques , casa rurals or pensions have poetically inspired names - I suggest two examples:

The first (with me in the photo) was in El Acebo just after the Cruz de Ferro up in the mountains in Galicia on the French Route. It is a tiny 3 private room albergue called La Trucha del Arco Iris. Translation I take as Rainbow Trout.
Jamie is the owner and he had scented candles and a wood fire burning when I arrived - he served me tea and was good company for about an hour before I went off to dinner where I had (you guessed it) fried rainbow trout. The views out my room's window were panoramic of the mountains.

The second place is in Rubiaes on the Portuguese Route.
It is affectionately named O Ninho or the bird's nest - and the name elicits the protective familiarity of home.
Marlene is the owner - the original new age woman. You had to love the inspirational posters in the rooms.
"Learn to trust the journey, even when you do not understand it."


trucha.webpIMG_1163 (2).webpNinho.webp
 

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The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Sometimes there is s good narrative behind the names of the places we stay at --while on Camino.

Some places, alberques , casa rurals or pensions have poetically inspired names - I suggest two examples:

The first (with me in the photo) was in El Acebo just after the Cruz de Ferro up in the mountains in Galicia on the French Route. It is a tiny 3 private room albergue called La Trucha del Arco Iris. Translation I take as Rainbow Trout.
Jamie is the owner and he had scented candles and a wood fire burning when I arrived - he served me tea and was good company for about an hour before I went off to dinner where I had (you guessed it) fried rainbow trout. The views out my room's window were panoramic of the mountains.

The second place is in Rubiaes on the Portuguese Route.
It is affectionately named O Ninho or the bird's nest - and the name elicits the protective familiarity of home.
Marlene is the owner - the original new age woman. You had to love the inspirational posters in the rooms.
"Learn to trust the journey, even when you do not understand it."


View attachment 86316View attachment 86317View attachment 86320
We Stayed in La Trucha in 2009, a memory I will never forget, we were received the best way ever, in spite we had not made reservation a room was made ready for us, and a beautiful tasty vegetarian meal, and the company by the dinner together with a french couple just made the day in this special place, with its great soul and kindness.
We arrived more than tired and went off the next day full of strengh.
 

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The second place is in Rubiaes on the Portuguese Route.
It is affectionately named O Ninho or the bird's nest - and the name elicits the protective familiarity of home.
Marlene is the owner - the original new age woman. You had to love the inspirational posters in the rooms.
"Learn to trust the journey, even when you do not understand it."
I like O Ninho too. In Galician is O Niño with the same pronunciation and meaning.
Ninho/Niño is a false friend for a Spanish speaker because niño means child in Spanish. The other day on a documentary about the Galician coast on Spanish TV they said that the word Doniños (near Ferrol) comes from a medieval story that involved two children !!??. More possible is an origin related to Don (forthill) in Celtic language.
 
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Not an accommodation sign, but a beer tap sign... in Sauges on the Le Puy, where they trade off the legend/history of “The Beast”.

1603861839801.jpeg

Apologies, for getting a little off topic...
 
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Another place on the French Route with an interesting name is La Fabrica about 10 km out of Burgos. It was an old grain mill and the photo shows a stone milling wheel in their garden. "the Factory"
In the bar there is a plate glass window in the floor that reveals the water running under to building that once turned the milling wheels. I was there on a Sunday - family dinner for the locals - place was packed with folks enjoying the day with large families after attending mass. I stay in a room for three - but in February I was the only pilgrim there.
IMG_0373.JPGIMG_0376.JPG
 
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In Castildelgado there in El Chocolatero -kind of like of a truckers hotel - famous for their chocolate drink. About 8 km out of Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
The only place where I felt like a real outsider - the rough truckers seemed to be wary of me. The walls were thin and there was a loud television in every room - did not sleep well that night. Their chocolate drink was awesome.
 
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In Zubiri the private albergue,
El Palo de Avellano is named after the wooden hazel walking stick used by earlier pilgrims. Centrally located next to the church several small traditional stone structures have been nicely converted into the multilevel space. Varied accomodations are available.

Each time that I stayed there in a simple dorm during happier years the bunk was comfy, the food delicious and the ambiance great especially around the convenial pool table and fireplace. Do keep it in mind for the future!
 
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This thread has sent me looking through my credenciales, with pleasure. The names are ALL poetic!

La Casa del Abuelo in Hornillos del Camino
Picking up this theme, there is
  • La Casa de la Abuela in Los Arcos on the Camino Frances
  • Hospedería de la Abuela Lola in Castilblanco de los Arroyos on the VDLP.
 
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I like Casa da Chousa and Hotel Xeito, both in Combarro. I know about them from this forum becase I haven't done Variante Espiritual yet.
Chousa is a rural property with a fence. It is used in the rural because urban Galicians use mostly Spanish finca. I have three small chousas planted with pines and chestnuts.
Something done with Xeito is something done how it must be. There isn't any equivalent word in Spanish.
 

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