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At this albergue, we use pilgrim donations to buy groceries. Anything we purchase specifically for ourselves, we purchase out of our own pocket. We eat with the pilgrims and usually eat any leftovers (if there are some) for our lunch. Otherwise, for example we separately bought some body soap, potato chips, some tuna, a couple of beers for Phil, and a six pack of tonic for me and my back cramps.Hola
Are you given a daily stipend for food purchases as hospitaleras (hosvol)
Thank you for your updates
We won't be here, but I am sure some equally accommodating will be!Having read your posts, I would very much like to stay at Arres Albergue on my Camino next year. I am newly returned, but already planning...sigh...
Whatever the dickens a boondoogle is, let me pick up on soap. You won't have much time in Pamplona for many things, Janet and Phil. Such a pity. The pintxos on offer in the old town are worth a fortune!All quiet except the sound of Phil checking mattress and pillows and finishing up his part of the cleaning. Birds chirping in the background. We have a lot of swallows, probably due to the abundant fly population.
It rained quite hard last night again. Partly cloudy and cool this morning so perfect for walking. Our last pilgrim in last night spoke to me earnestly this morning. He came to us from Ena on the Camino Catalon. He saw only 3 pilgrims until he reached us and one he had begun to walk with and consider a friend. This other pilgrim had an injury and considered leaving the Camino so bade Jose-Luis goodbye and they parted ways.
Our pilgrim JL heard from his friend last night. He had continued and was a day and a half behind. JL was considering going back to Santa Cillia and then he and his companion could continue tomorrow to Artieda together. Or he wondered if he should just go on to Ruesta alone. He has no particular timeline. JL is in construction/remodeling and out of work until he goes back home later this summer or fall. I told him whatever decision he made it would likely be the right one for him. I am turning into the Yoda of hospitaleras, like my partner Phil...
One other thing, its about soap. Before we left home, I bought 2 shampoo bars from the place where we get our hair cut. We started using one on a long camping trip in the spring, but since we didn't shower a lot on that trip, we still had 1+ bars left. We have decided we don't really feel clean and my hair is like straw...could be the hard water, but yesterday we bought the 3 bar pack of ubiquitous Spanish soap. (Yellow package, green soap). I will find some regular shampoo in a small bottle somewhere. We will leave 2 soap bars here. I still have a chunk of laundry bar from last year so should be ok for the next 3 weeks was or so till we go home.
Out for a boondoggle this morning to see Berdun and maybe drive to Ruesta and back just to see it.
Thanks, if people with to volunteer, I want them to know what it might be like. BTW, I did figure out how to clean the floor drain today and it didn't look terrible as I had envisioned. No way to pull up the floors, but the drain is accessible.Your and Phil’s posts (from this year and years past) are, IMHO, the best hospitalero threads around. You describe the routine, the cooking, the pilgrims, the challenges, and just about anything else that we could wonder about. It is always fun to follow your threads. I hope you will also keep us posted about how your “scouting out” camino from Sarria goes.
Buen camino!!!
The tower thing is newer. There is an exhibit of art and it is kind of like a museum of sorts.I’ve stayed at Arres twice; both times were lovely. The first time, the hospis welcomed help in the kitchen and everyone contributed in some fashion to either food prep or clean up. The second time, the hospis waved us away from helping. The food was simple, plentiful and did the job. I don’t recall them taking anyone into the tower but they did open the church for us and those at the Casa Rural.
You two are hospis extraordinaire! It’s no wonder the dinner food disappears, you offer good food that is not of the common sort found along the way. Feeding the body and the soul.
Thank you for your service.
Thank you so much forWe ended up with 7 pilgrims 1 from Hungary, 1 from Italy, 5 from Spain. Our first pilgrims arrived with small day packs and asked about their suitcase. I told them we did not accept shipped luggage, but it might be at the Casa Rural. Indeed it was there. It is quite large and Phil had to ask them to remove it from another lower bunk and store it upright instead of open on the floor. In any case, they are a nice couple experiencing the hospitality of this type albergue for the first time.
I upcycled the soup from last night. Added more ham, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion. Garlic and a half of a chopped tomato. Used more white wine and added a container of chicken stock had I made from the freezer. I also made the slaw with the crunchy almond and Ramen topping. Every bite was a gone along with the chocolate and the fig pastries from the local bakery. Its nice to see pilgrims enjoying something simple, but tasty.
Tomorrow no shopping so we may take a little drive after cleaning. The days are slipping away and our replacements will be here on Wednesday to shadow a bit. We may go to spend a night in Sos del Rey Catholic if we get away on Thursday. The car is due back in Pamplona Friday at noon and our train to Madrid leaves at 3 pm.
Thank you for the wonderful work you do for us pilgrims, I wish you son good resting days at the Camino. Hope to be in Arres early next week.Albergue clean! Extra washing today as Phil and I prepare for our departure. I washed my bedspread and top sheet and there is a clean towel for our replacement Ray. He sent a WhatsApp that he would be here by car later this afternoon.
We drove into to Jaca for a few personal items (stick deodorant we saw at the Warehouse store, etc) and also picked up some fresh bread, bananas, for the albergue. Stopped and picked some fresh flowers at the roadside.
It is breezy today so things are drying quickly. We saw 6 or so pilgrims on the way back to the albergue so it should be a nice group tonight. One last feast of cabbage slaw with the crunchy nut and Ramen topping, pork apples onions cooked in red wine and cinnamon, and a few fresh cherries with a chocolate pastry for dessert.
Unless Ray needs us to stay we'll head out tomorrow for Sos del Rey Catholico and then to Pamplona on Friday. I will close this thread out after we leave and start a new one for our Camino walk to Santiago.
No, actually no bed bugs that I have heard of through my contacts. Each room has 4 bunk beds sets, I think. One may have 5. Sometimes the hospitalero only opens one dorm because it is twice as much work to clean the second one especially if they are alone. The 22 beds may include the hospitalero room? There is also one mattress that is stored up above the kitchen that can be brought down if needed. Anyway, I think Gronze is incorrect.I have a question about the Arres albergue. When I stayed there in May of this year there was only one small dorm room used. There were four bunk beds taking up almost all the available space, and although there were only six of us in the room it was very tight.
Gronze says that there are a total of 22 beds.
I think that the other room was larger but may have been closed due to bed bugs. Any ideas?
Overall I had a good stay there. Great hospitality from Teresa, the lone hospitalera who offered us fruit upon arrival, made us a lovely dinner, and took us on a tour of the church.
Best wishes. It's a lovely albergue.Hi @J Willhaus and @Phil W,
I'm finally at Arres, holding down the fort with my co-hospi Vidal, from Bilbao. Your detailed information and answers to my questions were invaluable to getting prepared for this. I walked the CF from Pamplona for 11 days prior to this, and made it a point to stay in donativos and municipal when possible, offering my hospitalero services. They were always gracefully accepted but they generally didn't give me much to do. Except Granon, where they had 43 Peregrinos that night, and put me to work checking in and helping prep dinner. Awesome place.
The guys we replaced here graciously stuck around the whole day, and even prepared dinner for us and the 7 Peregrinos we had that day.
Vidal is a great guy and amazing cook, but unfortunately does not speak any English, and my Spanish is rudimentary at best. It's Google Translate all the way. I'm originally Dutch so speak a few languages, but no Spanish. Oh well, we'll figure it out. So far we've agreed that he handles the Spanish guests and I handle the rest.
We've made our first shopping run to Jaca, and hiked around a bit, and it's indeed gorgeous here. The weather is perfect (for now) so all is good. Still lots of flies, but probably less than you had in summer.
I'll try to post about my experience here, if anyone is interested.
Thanks again,
Steven
We currently use both rooms, with 4 bunkbeds each, so total capacity is 16 Peregrinos, plus 2 hospitaleros.I have a question about the Arres albergue. When I stayed there in May of this year there was only one small dorm room used. There were four bunk beds taking up almost all the available space, and although there were only six of us in the room it was very tight.
Gronze says that there are a total of 22 beds.
I think that the other room was larger but may have been closed due to bed bugs. Any ideas?
Overall I had a good stay there. Great hospitality from Teresa, the lone hospitalera who offered us fruit upon arrival, made us a lovely dinner, and took us on a tour of the church.
I started to have symptoms of a cold right after dinner, and was worried about exposing the others in such tight quarters, but I didn't ask to move.We were instructed to fill up a room before using the next, unless there are special circumstances. Last night one of the guys moved to the other one, and we let him be. Perhaps he got kicked out by the other's for snoring...
We usually kept the door locked unless we were going to use the second dorm. Honestly as the hospitaleros, you can do what you want. We didn't like to crowd people too much and there were 2 of us to share the work. There is very little room for backpacks so we often opened the second room when we got 5 or 6 pilgrims. We had one couple with a suitcase (shipped to the Casa Rural, then retrieved it.) WAY too big and the woman wanted to leave it open on the floor in the walkway. Phil had to insist she keep it closed stored under the bed or stored closed upright between the bunk and window so others could pass. Yes, the rooms are tight, but I loved that albergue!We currently use both rooms, with 4 bunkbeds each, so total capacity is 16 Peregrinos, plus 2 hospitaleros.
We were instructed to fill up a room before using the next, unless there are special circumstances. Last night one of the guys moved to the other one, and we let him be. Perhaps he got kicked out by the other's for snoring...
Regarding bedbugs, we were told to clean the beds every 3 days or so. Apparently no major concern here at the moment. Compared to Granon, where they are really hard-core. They do a check of all walls *with a flashlight* every morning, wipe all mattresses(which are on the floor), and then do a *steamclean* of the walls from the floor to as high as they can reach! Incredible, but apparently the rule there.No, actually no bed bugs that I have heard of through my contacts. Each room has 4 bunk beds sets, I think. One may have 5. Sometimes the hospitalero only opens one dorm because it is twice as much work to clean the second one especially if they are alone. The 22 beds may include the hospitalero room? There is also one mattress that is stored up above the kitchen that can be brought down if needed. Anyway, I think Gronze is incorrect.
We had one couple with a suitcase (shipped to the Casa Rural, then retrieved it.) WAY too big and the woman wanted to leave it open on the floor in the walkway.
I loved it too.Yes, the rooms are tight, but I loved that albergue!
Yes, I have worked at Grañón as well. My husband still does the headlamp check everywhere we volunteer now on walls, mattresses, bunk beds. Also wipes down and closely exams each mattress daily. Not every place has a steamer, but then again, not everyplace gets the traffic they get at Grañón.Regarding bedbugs, we were told to clean the beds every 3 days or so. Apparently no major concern here at the moment. Compared to Granon, where they are really hard-core. They do a check of all walls *with a flashlight* every morning, wipe all mattresses(which are on the floor), and then do a *steamclean* of the walls from the floor to as high as they can reach! Incredible, but apparently the rule there.
My friend and I were there in early April, Jacalina from Brazil was there then, she was wonderful. A special place for sure. Thank you for volunteering. As I did not attend the church opportunity, I washed dishes, my way of giving back. I loved every mindful moment.Hola todos!
Phil and I arrived in our rental car at the albergue about 1:30 pm. Manuel and Maria were waiting for us and after a quick handoff lasting about 90 minutes, they departed for their homes. Phil and I are experienced hospitaleros so they felt the albergue was in good hands.
We have 9 pilgrims tonight. Mostly Spanish. One from Ireland and one from France. Maria had prepared a big pot of spaghetti meat sauce and all I had to do was cook up some pasta and prepare a green salad. Phil took care of the church and tower tours for both our pilgrims and the ones at the Casa Rural. I think that may be a trend?
It rained on and off all afternoon and just before sunset as they were all standing out on the viewing point, the skies just opened up and it poured! Phil said the sunset was beautiful and the sun peeked out just an instant before setting. Most are back in the albergue now. Some may have sheltered at the bar as I hear voices coming toward the albergue just now.
Tomorrow, Phil and I will go to the store to get some essential items and we'll begin our service in earnest tomorrow with our own style of hospitality. I like to cook with pilgrims if they want to help so we will see what tomorrow brings.
Yup, still there. I just looked at that 'loft' above the kitchen and saw a stack of 3 or 4 thin mattresses. Nobody said anything about them, and I doubt that we'll ever exceed our 16 max. BTW today we have none! First 7, then 5, now 0... Oh well, this is a very quiet Camino.No, actually no bed bugs that I have heard of through my contacts. Each room has 4 bunk beds sets, I think. One may have 5. Sometimes the hospitalero only opens one dorm because it is twice as much work to clean the second one especially if they are alone. The 22 beds may include the hospitalero room? There is also one mattress that is stored up above the kitchen that can be brought down if needed. Anyway, I think Gronze is incorrect.
Yes, it's quiet, but you can go on an outing tomorrow morning if you like!Yup, still there. I just looked at that 'loft' above the kitchen and saw a stack of 3 or 4 thin mattresses. Nobody said anything about them, and I doubt that we'll ever exceed our 16 max. BTW today we have none! First 7, then 5, now 0... Oh well, this is a very quiet Camino.
Wow, the man himself is still doing it, that's impressive.Yes, it's quiet, but you can go on an outing tomorrow morning if you like!
It was never full when we were there, but full at least one night in the 2 weeks prior when the HosVol volunteer coordinator, Manuel, was serving there.
We were there on April 4th, very early in the Camino Season.Yes, it's quiet, but you can go on an outing tomorrow morning if you like!
It was never full when we were there, but full at least one night in the 2 weeks prior when the HosVol volunteer coordinator, Manuel, was serving there.
Hi,,, i stayed there last year,, about this time in September,, and it was nearly full,,,, mostly French walkers who had come across the pass which is now closed!Still no takers last night. We're heading off to Canfranc for a morning of 'Turismo' and hope for a bit more action this afternoon.
That must be it. We had a group on Sunday that came from Somport, must have gotten through before it closed, or used an alternate.Hi,,, i stayed there last year,, about this time in September,, and it was nearly full,,,, mostly French walkers who had come across the pass which is now closed!
Ah, yes, found you in the log. Must have been cozy.
They do sell coop wine in Puenta de la Reina de Jaca at the small grocery. Otherwise, it is a trip to Jaca. We also bought it at the Warehouse grocery store in the big jugs.Ah, yes, found you in the log. Must have been cozy.
Nice, much greener than it is now. Still beautiful though.
"Warehouse grocery store", you mean Mercadona or something else, also in Jaca?They do sell coop wine in Puenta de la Reina de Jaca at the small grocery. Otherwise, it is a trip to Jaca. We also bought it at the Warehouse grocery store in the big jugs.
Not Mercadona or Dia. I will see if I can send the location to you. We shopped there a few times."Warehouse grocery store", you mean Mercadona or something else, also in Jaca?
The group was a nice size and grew throughout the afternoon in ones and twos.Ah, yes, found you in the log. Must have been cozy.
Is it hosvol, or fics? For you the point is, it could be better. Well done on trying to see the rainbow and not the puddle. I wish you tons of pilgrims this week!We're at the halfway mark, 1 week into our hospitalero session. It's been a great experience thus far, and not as hard (work) as I had expected. We generally have a good couple of hours daily to go see interesting things, and we have been able to split the load effectively. The days without guests have been the most difficult, as you're just waiting for nothing to happen, not knowing how many to cook for, wasting time.
Because of the language barrier, we can't really chat with each other, which is frustrating for both of us. But we get along well regardless, and are able to make it work. We've finally gotten better at using Google Translate more effectively, in conversation mode. It also works pretty well on the fly, like when you're trying to follow a tour guide, except that now you're watching your phone continuously instead of your surroundings. Still, a lifesaver. I don't know whether HOSVOL has the bandwidth for it, but I do think that they need to work on a better way of matching hospitaleros regarding language abilities. End of rant.
This one is a Hosvol albergue. Arrés is an isolated albergue with no bus service on top of a very steep hill, so while a car isn't absolutely necessary it makes things much, much easier. The hospitaleros we replaced and the one who replaced us were all Spaniards with cars. I know they have had at least one or two French volunteers here also with cars and we spent the money to rent a car just to have this albergue experience. I don't think many out of country volunteers get posted here. I have also found that the Spanish hospitaleros at any albergues we have worked with rarely spoke English or any other pilgrim language. There are some exceptions of course, but it is Spain and these people are volunteers. No language requirement, but it does make it easier if you do have some other languages.Is it hosvol, or fics? For you the point is, it could be better. Well done on trying to see the rainbow and not the puddle. I wish you tons of pilgrims this week!
Good tip! It was indeed after a bottle change. Yes, it's gas.I member there was some kind of trick to the hot water heater, especially after we changed out the gas bottle. It was some kind of reset. Hope it will be a simple fix for you.
Edit: I don't remember now if it is electric or gas. Did you do a search of how to reset? I think that is what I did.
No, I try to look up the brand for reset. I also remember the previous team discussed it and I may have looked it up. YouTube has saved me at more than one albergue.G
Good tip! It was indeed after a bottle change. Yes, it's gas.
You mean Google search or are there docs somewhere here?
There is a Reset button on the front, and a mfr online source said to push it 2~3 secs. We did, but it did not give any response (sound, indicator, any). We're loathe to try anything more drastic, as now we can at least limp along with it.No, I try to look up the brand for reset. I also remember the previous team discussed it and I may have looked it up. YouTube has saved me at more than one albergue.
Having stayed in the albergue in Arrés recently I’m enjoying your tale. Thank you and good luck with the water heater.There is a Reset button on the front, and a mfr online source said to push it 2~3 secs. We did, but it did not give any response (sound, indicator, any). We're loathe to try anything more drastic, as now we can at least limp along with it.
We'll see what the repair guy says, if he ever comes. Whatever the outcome, I'll document it and post it somewhere visible.
The hot water worked fine for me.Unfortunately we're having problems with our water heater, and it didn't work right when the girl tried to take a shower just now.
Yes, I tried that trick opening multiple outlets downstairs, no luck. I guess the line down is too long/small to produce enough pressure drop upstairs to turn on the heater. But sometimes it works, surprisingly, not sure why. The only certain way is to crack the kitchen faucet just enough to turn it on. I'm a ME so this is supposed to be in my wheelhouse, but I think it's with the heater itself. If only I could force a reset, but can't find the relevant info for this model online.The hot water worked fine for me.
Perhaps get another person to shower at the same time in the next cubicle. My memory could be wrong but I seem to remember two shower cubicles.
I did arrive at the same time as an adult mother and daughter Spanish pair and I recollect showering at the same time as one of this pair.
Unlike later in Logroño at Albergue parroquial Santiago El Real where a lady from the USA was one of the first into the showers and insisted on locking the outer door to the bathroom from the inside so that no other people could get into the other shower cubicle and then proceeded to stay in that room for almost an hour doing things I can't imagine and without a single thought for anyone else.
I just discovered that someone already tried documenting the fix: there is a sticker on the front with some writing and an arrow pointing to the reset switch, but it's completely faded, unreadable...There is a Reset button on the front, and a mfr online source said to push it 2~3 secs. We did, but it did not give any response (sound, indicator, any). We're loathe to try anything more drastic, as now we can at least limp along with it.
We'll see what the repair guy says, if he ever comes. Whatever the outcome, I'll document it and post it somewhere visible.
Notebook?I would definitely make a note for the notebook on whatever the fix is so the next hospi has the info. We were shown what to do by our prior hospis and it was highlighted as "very important". I don't recall the exact steps or I would help you out...
I would definitely make a note for the notebook on whatever the fix is so the next hospi has the info.
I was wondering about this as I read! Is there a hand-off log book recording anything the next hospi might need to know?Notebook?
Hi, the pilgrims staying at the albergue these nights how do they get there?Apparently 5 Peregrinos are on their way, would be nice to have this fixed.
Mostly it was phone numbers and how to order groceries for delivery. How to take deposits to the bank. I don't remember anything about gas tanks or water heater, bit you could add that.Looks like the notebook has disappeared, unfortunately. Lots of books with Peregrinos notes, by year, and binders with recipes, songs, etc.
There is a see-through binder with a couple of pages of general stuff on the registration table, nothing detailed like heater stuff.
Supposedly the repair guy is on his way, planning to clear some lime deposits out of the pipes, which may also contribute to these problems. It's getting late, I'll believe it when I see him.
But I also found the tool boxes! I was ready to buy some screw drivers myself to fix some minor things, won't have to now.
A mixed bag. Many started in Jaca, some Somport or Canfranc, but those numbers will probably be dwindling. Although some bussed up to Somport from points in Spain. We just got 2 young guys from Madrid who are starting here and planned to walk to Somport and beyond. They didn't know about the blockage.Hi, the pilgrims staying at the albergue these nights how do they get there?
Do they come over from France by some other route than the GR653 or do they come by bus to start the Camino there?
OK, most of that is in the see through binder pages. I'll add the heater stuff to it.Mostly it was phone numbers and how to order groceries for delivery. How to take deposits to the bank. I don't remember anything about gas tanks or water heater, bit you could add that.
So the direct answer to your question is no, although there is a 5 page document with basic stuff. E.g. here is the page with the most specific info:I was wondering about this as I read! Is there a hand-off log book recording anything the next hospi might need to know?
I enjoyed reading @J Willhaus 's posts and now your's @AZperegrino in this continuing thread. Thank you! I stayed at Arrés last September and loved it. A highlight of my camino.
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