Would you stop at places that lack the Camino hospitality?

[Bradypus]

You should have practised ‘custody of the eyes.’ Not looked, not seen!!

Had that been possible I would have done. On turning quite a sharp corner I quite literally missed the woman by only a few inches. She was in the middle of a fairly narrow path. When it is necessary to take several steps to the side in order to avoid a collision it is pointless to pretend that you have not noticed someone.

 

[Icacos]

Had that been possible I would have done. On turning quite a sharp corner I quite literally missed the woman by only a few inches. She was in the middle of a fairly narrow path. When it is necessary to take several steps to the side in order to avoid a collision it is pointless to pretend that you have not noticed someone.

Yes, I realize that this incident took you completely by surprise and it would have been hard to pretend you had not seen the woman, especially when you must have practically tripped on her. However, I guess I was speaking figuratively when I said, ‘Don’t look, don’t see.’ To me, in this case, ‘custody of the eyes’ means more like ‘don’t see what you are not meant to see.’ Hard to do in this case, I agree, but something to keep in mind for these instances in the future, so the other person could ‘save face.’

I’m sure someone posted a while back about just such an incident; someone had seen a woman in a compromising position, she knew she had been seen, yet he continued as though he had not seen her. He said that later in the day he met up with the woman along the route and they ended up having a wonderful discussion about something or the other, as though the previous incident had never occurred. That sure beats the awful scowl you said you got.

 

[peregrina2000]

Yes, I realize that this incident took you completely by surprise and it would have been hard to pretend you had not seen the woman, especially when you must have practically tripped on her. However, I guess I was speaking figuratively when I said, ‘Don’t look, don’t see.’ To me, in this case, ‘custody of the eyes’ means more like ‘don’t see what you are not meant to see.’ Hard to do in this case, I agree, but something to keep in mind for these instances in the future, so the other person could ‘save face.’

I’m sure someone posted a while back about just such an incident; someone had seen a woman in a compromising position, she knew she had been seen, yet he continued as though he had not seen her. He said that later in the day he met up with the woman along the route and they ended up having a wonderful discussion about something or the other, as though the previous incident had never occurred. That sure beats the awful scowl you said you got.

A Spanish pilgrim gave me good advice when we were on an endless stretch into San Pedro de Rozados and there were no bushes, no trees, but cars whizzing by, and my bladder was bursting — it’s more important to have your head covered than your bottom, no one will ever recognize you with your head covered.

 

[KinkyOne]

The number of times my wife would tell me to get a coffee/wine etc... because she had to pee! I would walk up to the bar and she would run to the bathroom. These people are running a business to cater to our needs. At the end of the day they needs profits. Simple as that.

You are one lucky guy to have such a wonderful wife with a XXX bladder

 

[Bradypus]

A Spanish pilgrim gave me good advice when we were on an endless stretch into San Pedro de Rozados and there were no bushes, no trees, but cars whizzing by, and my bladder was bursting — it’s more important to have your head covered than your bottom, no one will ever recognize you with your head covered.

There used to be an area called Parson's Pleasure on the River Cherwell in Oxford where men could bathe and sunbathe naked. Wikipedia gives this quite famous story: "a number of dons were sunbathing naked at Parson's Pleasure when a female student floated by in a punt. All but one of the startled dons covered their genitals—Maurice Bowra placed a flannel over his head instead. When asked why he had done so, he replied, "I don’t know about you, gentlemen, but in Oxford, I, at least, am known by my face."

 

[LTfit]

The thread originator has not returned to the Forum since posting, so it may be time to stop piling on. It is clear by now that Members generally understand the commercial nature of bars and restaurants! Any solution to the problem of inadequate restrooms lies in ideas/action by someone other than bar owners providing free facilities.
...

I always find it quite curious that someone would post then never return to read the reactions. Why bother?

 

[Bradypus]

I always find it quite curious that someone would post then never return to read the reactions. Why bother?

This has happened before here and on Facebook groups I moderate. Someone has an unhappy experience and feels the need to vent about it - and possibly also to publicly shame whoever they feel has offended them. The forum seems like an ideal opportunity that should be full of like-minded spirits. But as in this case it very quickly becomes clear that the majority of members see the situation rather differently and refuse to join in their angry condemnation. I think they then feel that they are out of step with most of those here and decide that it is not a place for them after all.

 

[Icacos]

A Spanish pilgrim gave me good advice when we were on an endless stretch into San Pedro de Rozados and there were no bushes, no trees, but cars whizzing by, and my bladder was bursting — it’s more important to have your head covered than your bottom, no one will ever recognize you with your head covered.

And while in a similar situation when visiting the sparse Canadian Arctic, it was suggested to me that I find a tree to hide my face, as I would not find one to hide my bottom.

 

[Walton]

Yeah, well I found it offensive to step over all the toilet paper that WOMEN leave along the trail. To me, that is more offensive and mind boggling than a puddle that will disappear.

Not just women.

As a male, I find it offensive to often see men, possibly deaf or blind, peeing openly while on the trail.

They must be deaf or blind because none have responded to my snorting like a pig or pretending to be a dog weeing on a tree or post as I walk by them. Perhaps this is because they know they are disrespectful in their act just as I am in my act.

Surely they were taught during their childhood to go behind a tree or somewhere discrete when the need arises. Surely, that is common in all cultures?

 

[tpmchugh]

With the crowds there, they never could keep track of open tabs. The pay-when-you-leave is more for "normal" bars!

They make an extremely good job of keeping track. I dont know how they do it but they always find the right pilgrim with the right order. I moved table last time as I spotted some friends at another and they still found me

 

[Bradypus]

They make an extremely good job of keeping track. I dont know how they do it but they always find the right pilgrim with the right order. I moved table last time as I spotted some friends at another and they still found me

Were you still dripping water and river weeds at the time? Might make it easier

 

[Anniesantiago]

Not just women.

As a male, I find it offensive to often see men, possibly deaf or blind, peeing openly while on the trail.

They must be deaf or blind because none have responded to my snorting like a pig or pretending to be a dog weeing on a tree or post as I walk by them. Perhaps this is because they know they are disrespectful in their act just as I am in my act.

Surely they were taught during their childhood to go behind a tree or somewhere discrete when the need arises. Surely, that is common in all cultures?

Yup. And surely all those women would totally freak out if I squatted in their front yard and left my nasty toilet paper behind. In 14 Caminos I’ve only seen one person squat and pee out in front of other pilgrims and that was a woman. It’s just a pet ‘pee’ve if mine. I would hope women would have more manners (and class) but obviously not.

 

[tpmchugh]

Were you still dripping water and river weeds at the time? Might make it easier

Did not get that far last time. Water and river reeds were too much so went home from Burgos

 

[peregrina2000]

Though we are veering off the original topic (maybe not a bad thing given that we’ve beaten it to death) I will jump in with the observation that male public urination seems to be subject to much more cultural variation than female. In Portugal, for instance, even in places like downtown Lisbon, I am no longer surprised to see men urinating in between cars, around a corner, etc. Maybe that’s why I’m not offended when I see men peeing just meters away from the camino. They are always facing away from us, so I don’t see any harm. It just makes me and my aging bladder very jealous.

 

[Albertagirl]

And while in a similar situation when visiting the sparse Canadian Arctic, it was suggested to me that I find a tree to hide my face, as I would not find one to hide my bottom.

An ancient oral story about a mule skinner who used to take his wagon and mules along a fairly busy road parallel to Lake Huron in Ontario. He was seen to be crouched in a ditch doing the necessary with his face to the ditch and his bottom to the road. When asked why he chose that position, he replied, "Well, most of you have seen my face but few have enjoyed the view of my bottom."

 

[Marbe2]

A Spanish pilgrim gave me good advice when we were on an endless stretch into San Pedro de Rozados and there were no bushes, no trees, but cars whizzing by, and my bladder was bursting — it’s more important to have your head covered than your bottom, no one will ever recognize you with your head covered.

Terrific Advice!
We were past Cruz de Ferro and had just past the albergue, most think about stopping at, but ultimately pass by,when we stopped by the road side to do our business. . Being women, it takes a bit longer to do this. It was a very cold, snowing and windy, but nature was calling! We had not seen anyone for over an hour. We had wet rain pants on and they were already complicating the process. The height of the snow did not allow us to go off the road but maybe by a foot or two. We were at that seminal moment when a couple from a different culture came around the bend. I had a balaclava and a hat on thankfully. Instead of ignoring us, they laughed as they went by. To this day, I prefer to think that they were embarrassed too! Not sure they could have done anything else.

On the other hand, I have had to respond to nature’s call more than once and have seen others wait in the distance till we were finished? Nice courtesy!

Either way, when nature calls I follow!

 

[jsalt]

Seeing as how this thread has gone way off-track, and the OP Troll has not been back to look at his handiwork, just thought I’d chime in with my little story – needed a pee in the woods, so I walked into the long grass behind the trees. Later, in the shower that evening, I discovered 3 ticks on my legs. The pharmacist had a good laugh when I explained how I had got my little problem.
Jill

 

[spagirl]

I was just on a vacation and my son wanted to go to a store that is the set of a favourite tv show ( well not the store just the outside). We went ....took the request picture outside then I noticed that twenty or so people took photos and moved along. I went inside to buy something. I didn't need anything I just thought the owner should profit a bit from the exposure.
She reached across the counter and hugged me! She commented on the amount of time she spends cleaning up garbage people leave behind and that actual customers have stopped coming because of the crowds.

Then something amazing happened.... she pulled out some autographed photos from the cast- gave one to my son and invited us to the upstairs and back room that the show was based on. then she posed for a photo and printed us a receipt as a souvenir.
If we had just snapped a photo and left none of this would have happened.

Not the same as using a restroom in Spain but it showed the other side of the situation and that you never know how you will be rewarded when you do the right thing!!

 

[Silverton]

In the spring of Holy Year 2004, my sister and I spotted a large stock of what we thought might be portable toilet units, over the high walls of an industrial site near TV Galicia and Monte de Gozo. We hoped it signalled a plan to provide them along the CF for pilgrims later that summer. No such luck. On my third CF, in 2011, I met very nice Tasmanians Denise and Mark. He promised he would come back from the next life to install public toilets along the Camino Francés, and we promptly canonised him Saint Mark!! So, some day maybe ... although I hope he'll live for many decades yet ....
Meanwhile, Falcon--I'm happy to join in your campaign, but unless 'hygiene operatives' were reliably employed by the local authorities, there could be serious problems. (No, Reb and her Ditch Pigs couldn't possibly be asked ....!) The rarely-emptied litter containers in rest areas, where they exist, are over-filled by the thousands of pilgrims who could carry their rubbish to the next town-bins. No two ways about it--we pilgrims are the problem!!

 

[Marbe2]

I carry my garbage out...but if the parks have litter containers they should be emptied in a reasonable amount of time. We were on the mesata in early March and some of the waste containers were overflowing then. So I am not sure what the problem is. There were not many people on the route then?

 

[LGLG]

It just makes me and my aging bladder very jealous.[/QUOTE]

 

[LGLG]

I'm with you on that one . Was so for years, until I looked into female urinating devices - (google peewee or shewee) and joined that female revolution, so overdue since we stopped wearing long skirts. Seriously worth considering when planning your packing. Actually, I don't object to reasonably discreet public urination for either gender in the countryside - isn't it more environmentally friendly than flushing loos?

 

[WalkingJane]

There's a bar just at the end of the famous Puente de Orbigo, bar restaurante Don Suero de Quiñones, that refused to let me use the restroom unless I was a customer. I think that a place that lacks the minimum of hospitality to pilgrims should NOT profit from them. I would not give my business to such a place. What do you think?

Buy something! if you are going to use the facilities in a cafe. Basic courtesy.

 

[grayland]

This revival of an old (still humorous) thread brings back memories of veteran forum members who no longer post here.
I was struck by the loss of so many long time contributors over the past couple of years.

 

[grayland]

Some of the names that jump out at me....Icacos, Kinky, Theatregal, Jsalt, the infamous "deleted member", and several others.
They were valuable members.
Much has changed here.

 

[SBurgess]

There are, at this moment, 100 posted comments. Therefore I feel no need to express my opinion. I do hope the Original Poster has come to understand that Camino Hospitality works both ways.
...and as always:
May Your Heart Always Be Light
And Your Spirit Free...

 

[thejoker]

Some of the names that jump out at me....Icacos, Kinky, Theatregal, Jsalt, the infamous "deleted member", and several others.
They were valuable members.
Much has changed here.

From my previous forum incarnation, I miss Falcon's huge Camino knowledge and particular brand of dry wit.

 

[C clearly]

memories of veteran forum members who no longer post here.

Some of the names that jump out at me....Icacos, Kinky, Theatregal, Jsalt,

Three of these 4 still post occasionally, two of them in the past month.

 

[Theatregal]

Some of the names that jump out at me....Icacos, Kinky, Theatregal, Jsalt, the infamous "deleted member", and several others.
They were valuable members.
Much has changed here.

Thank you Grayland - I'm still here! Just quieter

 

[Icacos]

I’m here too, mostly lurking.