Life in the Albergues

We've been staying most nights in albergues, hostels for the peregrinos. There are extensive systems of these facilities run by municipalities, churches, Camino associations and private individuals. They cost between €5-10 per night and you need the Peregrino Credencial to stay. Your Credencial is stamped at each location so the hospitaleros know that you have been walking the route.

The accommodations are similar: bunk beds, anywhere from 4 to 50 per room, share shower and bathroom facilities, laundry tubs, sometimes washers and even dryers, often kitchens to prepare meals, and outside patios. Some of the albergues have bars and serve food and beer and wine. 

We have stayed in some very nice albergues as well as some not so nice (to be kind). The dorm-style lodging makes for some interesting arrangements. Living and sleeping in the same room with up to 50 other people, often inches away, requires one to be flexible and go with the flow. 

Probably the biggest problem with this communal living is to sleep through the snoring at night. And there are some major snorers. The worst ones have a Camino reputation and you try to avoid staying in the same albergue, or at least the same room, as them. Some time you can't avoid it, however. An essential piece of gear are well-fitting earplugs. 

But the albergues are great places for meeting and socializing with the fellow peregrinos. It really great fun meeting people from all over the world. Language is often a bit of a barrier, but cervesa and vino always helps with the translations. It's amazing how you can communicate with a few words of English, Spanish, French, Italian and a lot of hand gestures.  It's great fun. 

Today's good intentions are for Car Pool. We have a great circle of friends that we have grown close to through our children over the past 25 years. Thank you for the great send off and we are using all of going away gifts that you have us.