Hello all,
I'm just returned in the Neherlands from the Camino, 20 september I started in St. Jean Pied de Port and I stopped in Astorga.
I can confirme there are real problems in the albergues! I've seen many people with red itchy spots, some of them didn't mind, some of them felt a little bit sick of it.
I didn't have the problems myself, because I was warned for it by internet just before I left. So I brought a special sheet with me (mitecare: that's special for allergic people, nothing can go through this) The weight of half a pound was worth it!
And I decided to choose for the private refugio's when possible, but that's not a garantee: the pilgrims have spread the bugs to the private ones too.
But don't forget there are some good and clean albergues too: for example L'esprit du chemin in St. JPDP, the refugio in Orrison, Emmaus in Burgos was great, in Roncevalles they washed the bedsheets every day, and in Astorga (from the Association) Maria Servaas was very clean, I saw them cleaning all used beds every day!
In Tosantos and Rabe de la Calzadas the refugio's were closed because the Spain government ordered them to fumigate. I think it's a immense problem for Spain to root out definitely, but at least they try to do something about it.
Sometimes I toke a hostal or casa rural, but that's more expensive and not a real pilgrimage....
I really liked the walking, to meet all the interesting people, the spiritual and religius aspects, but I did not feel comfortabel with the sleeping.
I want to finish my camino once, but I'll wait untill this problem is solved, or maybe go with a tent?
bye, marjoleen