Changes in Albergues in Galicia

[lynnejohn]

Just in from the updates from Pili Pala Press: As of January 1, 2008, Galician albergues will charge 3 euros a night. We were fortunate to have donativo albergues all through Galicia in May/June this year, and I don't think that 3 euros is out of line. They are maintained very well, and I guess the donativo thing didn't quite work out for all peregrinos. They also indicate that credencials will be checked more thoroughly for here on in.

Peace.

lynne

 

[Trudy]

I always paid at donativo albergues, and thought that was the normal thing, so can't see the problem with expecting pilgrims to pay 3euros.

I also walked in May/June this year, and found the Galician municipal albergues to be the dirtiest and worst maintained of the entire Camino. Perhaps this is because pilgrims don't pay, and there's no money for cleaners!

While I realise that Galicia bears the brunt of pilgrim traffic, it seems noone cleans up after the previous night's pilgrims - apart from emptying rubbish bins. On one occasion I thought to help and clean the bathrooms, but couldn't find any cleaning equipment!

This seems to be a problem solely in Galicia. Other municipal albergues on the Camino were pleasant, clean, friendly and well-maintained - and that includes the donativo ones.

 

[lynnejohn]

Well, Trudy, you're probably right about people not valuing something they don't pay for. My husband got pneumonia and so we had to stay several days and nights resting in the albergue in Vilar de Bario. Very few pilgrims came through there on those days, but most notably, no one else from the community did either! I ended up being hospitalera and emptying garbage, cleaning bathrooms, washing floors, airing out dorms, etc. I think everyone just sort of innocently leaves in the morning secure in the knowledge that "someone" is going to come in and do it. Well, they don't! They do, however, leave lots of cleaning supplies.
So just a word of advice - Where you don't see anyone in charge of an alberque, take the garbage out in the morning (REALLY! It stinks!) and clean whatever you can for the next peregrinos coming through. It just takes a few minutes and makes a world of difference to those arriving that day.

Peace.

lynne

 

[Steve S]

On the VdlP there was definitely a difference between the albergues with hospitaleros and without. However, I was disappointed when, as we dropped our donativo in the box on the way out each morning, it sounded as if there were no other coins (or bills) there. It does cost to maintain the albergues, and I think E3 is quite reasonable.

Steve S

 

[Minkey]

I always paid €5 for donativo refugios simply because they didn't ask for anything... I met someone who had to stay in donativos because he'd had EVERYTHING stolen... Poor fella