Zabaldika! Is it it true?

[katie@camino]

I have read elsewhere that Zabaldika albergue opens 1st July - is it true?!

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

I have read elsewhere that Zabaldika albergue opens 1st July - is it true?!

We visited the Sisters in May and the opening date at that time was July 1st.

 

[katie@camino]

We visited the Sisters in May and the opening date at that time was July 1st.

Wonderful!!! Thankyou so much!!

Do you know if you can reserve a bed or if it's first come, first served?

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Wonderful!!! Thankyou so much!!

Do you know if you can reserve a bed or if it's first come, first served?

That I don't know , sorry.

 

[SabsP]

Wonderful!!! Thankyou so much!!

Do you know if you can reserve a bed or if it's first come, first served?

One site says yes, another no. Maybe @kirkie can shine a light.

Albergue Parroquial de Zabaldika | Camino de Santiago Guidebooks

Albergue Parroquial de Zabaldika, Parochial accommodation in Zabaldika. The albergue is adjacent to the church in the upper half of town, and it is run by the same wonderful people that maintain the church. The placement of this albergue could not be better. The albergue is open from July 1st to...

www.wisepilgrim.com

Albergue parroquial de Zabaldika | Albergue de Peregrinos en Zabaldika | Gronze.com

Información del albergue de peregrinos Albergue parroquial de Zabaldika, en Zabaldika: Precio, plazas, características, etc...

www.gronze.com

 

[Former member 49149]

Peter is correct about the date. It is not possible to book, first come first served. I am not sure if the number of beds is as before Covid. If so, there are 17 or 18.
Edit: they had a website, not sure if it is still running - but they also had/have? a Facebook page for those who use that platform. It was something like una pausa en el camino.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

they had a website, not sure if it is still running

Last time I looked at their website it hadn't been updated for many years and like many low costs/low expertise sites didn't use https and so every time anyone tried to access it they get a warning about a dangerous website. These days I have difficulty even finding the website.

 

[geraldkelly]

Great news that they're opening again. They didn't take reservations before so I doubt if they will now. It's a traditional pilgrim albergue, you just show up.

The Camino Guide - the Free Guide to the Camino Francés - Zabaldika - Parish (18, donativo, May to September) Albergue Parroquial de Zabaldika, a little off the Camino, watch out for the sign pointing right across the road and up a steep path (easy t

The Camino Guide - the Free Guide to the Camino Francés - Zabaldika - Parish (18, donativo, May to September) Albergue Parroquial de Zabaldika, a little off the Camino, watch out for the sign pointing right across the road and up a steep path (easy to miss). It's beside the church mentioned in...

www.caminoguide.net

 

[karlyk]

Oh wow. I stayed at this place. One of my most important days/evening on the Camino. I'll never forget rolling up to the building around 11:00 am, injured and exhausted, and completely done walking for the day. I simply could not go on, and was so disappointed in myself. The doors weren't even open yet. But one of the Sisters exited the church and saw me, called me over. Without words (neither of us spoke the other's language) and instead with tears, I communicated my situation. She kissed me on both cheeks, hugged me, and told me to stay and rest. It was the compassion and welcome I needed in more ways than one.

It's another long story, but I still have the "lucky" [expresso] spoon the hospitalero, Alfie, gave me the next morning when I left. I walked away from Zabaldika with an unsteady self-assurance, but more compassion and hope than when I arrived.

I still have the spoon to this day. It's on my night stand.

Does anyone have the mailing address for this place? Would love to send a card.

 

[SabsP]

Oh wow. I stayed at this place. One of my most important days/evening on the Camino. I'll never forget rolling up to the building around 11:00 am, injured and exhausted, and completely done walking for the day. I simply could not go on, and was so disappointed in myself. The doors weren't even open yet. But one of the Sisters exited the church and saw me, called me over. Without words (neither of us spoke the other's language) and instead with tears, I communicated my situation. She kissed me on both cheeks, hugged me, and told me to stay and rest. It was the compassion and welcome I needed in more ways than one.

It's another long story, but I still have the "lucky" [expresso] spoon the hospitalero, Alfie, gave me the next morning when I left. I walked away from Zabaldika with an unsteady self-assurance, but more compassion and hope than when I arrived.

I still have the spoon to this day. It's on my night stand.

Does anyone have the mailing address for this place? Would love to send a card.

Here you go.


zabaldika@rscj.es

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Does anyone have the mailing address for this place? Would love to send a card.

Add a post-it note with a red glitter heart as well. They'll know what to do with it.

 

[Former member 49149]

Thanks for stepping in there, Sabine. It is a donativo as Gerald has written. I know that some long legs carry their owners 34km from Roncesvalles and still arrive in time if they want a bed. (Pre greatly increased numbers). Depends on the volume. For every 5 who leave Roncesvalles, I reckon one climbs the hill, the others either take the flat, shady river walk via Huarte, or climb at the rest area. Some ring from Zubiri to know if they have a chance of a bed: that cannot be assured, but it is only 3km to Trinidad de Arre from Zabaldika. I know the pattern because I am generally there for a couple of weeks in the summer, and I see what happens. There is usually someone at the church from early till 1pm, and again after lunch. Just there, all ears if required...and a buen camino if not.
I had better stop, as it is a fairly well kept secret

Add a post-it note with a red glitter heart as well. They'll know what to do with it.

 

[Katherine Radeka]

This is one of my most treasured memories from the Camino: praying in that chapel and talking with the sister hosting that day.

 

[VNwalking]

I had better stop, as it is a fairly well kept secret

These women are angels, is all I have to say.
Here's the address for that red glitter heart.
Good idea. I might send one too, one of these days.

Albergue parroquial de Zabaldika
8 Calle San Esteban de Arriba31699 Zabaldika

 

[ShelleyS]

I have read elsewhere that Zabaldika albergue opens 1st July - is it true?!

Oh I do hope so. I was very fortunate to spend my 65th birthday at Zalbaldika. I hope to return there in the next year or so. What a lovely group of sisters and hospitaleros.

 

[Mike Davis]

I have read elsewhere that Zabaldika albergue opens 1st July - is it true?!

It would be wise to double, double check. We thought we had an email confirmation for June 15th but when we called on that day we were told they were closed.

 

[VNwalking]

email confirmation

I'm not sure I understand. They don't take reservations. Was this an email confirmation that they were open?

 

[Former member 49149]

On 6th May this is part of what I received from the community in an email:

Este año hemos abierto la Iglesia y ya empiezan a venir peregrinos pero el Albergue no lo abriremos hasta el 1 de julio.

The message says that the church is open, but the albergue will only open on July 1st. Due to personnel absence, it may be that at the end of July the albergue will be closed for perhaps ten days - when I know the precise dates I will post them. The church will continue to be opened daily. If you use the email address provided above by Sabine if you want to check, you will get a response. No matter what, there is no option to reserve a bed, except when you arrive, and you put your rucksack in the line before lounging in the garden. It opens either at 2 or 2.30 after the hospitaleros have cleaned up, done the shopping, had lunch...
For those who do not know the location - it is at the top of a short, steep hill. There are no shops or bars. Bliss. If you are looking for rural, you have found it in spades!!!
For pilgrims who stay, a meal is offered in the evening, and breakfast in the morning. For those who pass on, there is a drinking water tap, and the opportunity to use the bathroom in the community house.

 

[Former member 49149]

Amendment: the albergue will not close after it reopens, it will be open from July 1st till usual closing date mid October, as it stands at the moment. Buen camino to all, and a welcome to those who climb the wee hill!

 

[katie@camino]

On 6th May this is part of what I received from the community in an email:

The message says that the church is open, but the albergue will only open on July 1st. Due to personnel absence, it may be that at the end of July the albergue will be closed for perhaps ten days - when I know the precise dates I will post them. The church will continue to be opened daily. If you use the email address provided above by Sabine if you want to check, you will get a response. No matter what, there is no option to reserve a bed, except when you arrive, and you put your rucksack in the line before lounging in the garden. It opens either at 2 or 2.30 after the hospitaleros have cleaned up, done the shopping, had lunch...
For those who do not know the location - it is at the top of a short, steep hill. There are no shops or bars. Bliss. If you are looking for rural, you have found it in spades!!!
For pilgrims who stay, a meal is offered in the evening, and breakfast in the morning. For those who pass on, there is a drinking water tap, and the opportunity to use the bathroom in the community house.

Thankyou so much for this information

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

It would be wise to double, double check. We thought we had an email confirmation for June 15th but when we called on that day we were told they were closed.

It opens at the 1st.July.

 

[Former member 49149]

The title of this thread popped into neon headlights for me just now - well, the second part, the question. Is it true? While this post might lead to a locked thread, I want to think aloud about the word true. True in my childhood was a clear one or the other - true or not true. Since those halcyon days of innocence, like a Dublin poet well worth reading (Pat Ingoldsby) says - 'and then I learned some more'.
Reading my online paper this morning, I found something true: a short piece with a photo, of a little boy who needs to use a walker, who completed a 6km marathon and raised a sum of money for a charity. (This kind of voluntary action is popular in Ireland.)
Then I read an article pointing out the hazards for women - maybe it also happens for men, no, it must also, but differently - who take up public posts in whichever field.
True is a delicate word nowadays.
And returning to the albergue in question: is it true that it is on the actual, verifiable, original and true route to Santiago? Beware those who say yes, and those who say no! When you reach the location - ask yourself - why was the church built there? Was it so that people would give it a nod and pass on?
On your own true camino Francés to Santiago, your pilgrimage, decide for yourself!
If you are around there between 29th July and 9th August, it is true I will be there to wish you a buen camino!
edit: at point of writing, it is true. Covid and flights permitting!