no blankets in public albergues?

[zammy]

somebody who is walking now has told me that some public albergues
Had stopped supplying blankets because of bed bugs.
She recommends carrying a light sleeping bags.
True?

 

[Anniesantiago]

Yes, true.

 

[Bradypus]

True. Many albergues have no blankets. Others may have a few but not enough for all who want one. If you plan to stay in albergues it would be wise to take whatever bedding you prefer and not simply assume you will find it waiting for you.

 

[SYates]

True. Buen Camino, SY *who always, always takes a sleeping bag*

 

[Tincatinker]

somebody who is walking now has told me that some public albergues
Had stopped supplying blankets because of bed bugs.
She recommends carrying a light sleeping bags.
True?

True or not doesn't really matter, or a least the explanation is spurious at least. Bed bugs don,t live in blankets; they live in the crevices in the walls, the cracks in the bed frames and the gaps behind the flaking plaster.
But pilgrims staying in municipal and paroquial donativo Albergues don't leave much donativo and the cost of laundering the pilgrim stink out of those blankets is prohibitive for places that can barely pay to keep the lights on and the showers warm. So it's easier and cheaper to say "no mantas". Other than Casa Cuba in Burgos (where I borrowed a blanket from the lovely bar opposite) I have never encountered "no mantas" - but I have had to plead on occasion.

Carry a sleeping bag. 12oz isn't going to change your Camino much.

 

[SYates]

@Tincatinker Sorry to break the news to you, but they do! Especially as the blankets get only washed 'infrequently'. They might not be attracted to a single, spread out blanket, but to a stack of them on a shelf or in a cupboard? You bet! BC SY

 

[NomadBoomer]

I followed the advice that you only need bring a sleeping bag liner. Mistake. I had to sleep in my clothes a few times till I bought a cheap light sleeping bag here. Some private albergues also do not have blankets. Of course plenty of dorms are too hot and stuffy for you to need much.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

somebody who is walking now has told me that some public albergues
Had stopped supplying blankets because of bed bugs.
She recommends carrying a light sleeping bags.
True?

This past spring about half of the albergues had blankets on the Frances route. I checked them for bed bugs, but they all looked good to me. I carry a lightweight sleeping bag and prefer it instead of using the blankets. If I get "cooties" I want them to be my own!

 

[GreatDane]

If any one is near a Costco I noticed they restocked the 425g down quilts/blankets this week. At least mine did! $20 and 425g is cheap insurance.

 

[long trails]

Bed bugs do live in blankets! I'd have to be desperately cold to use one in a public albergue as they are probably washed once a year!

Sleeping bags are so ligtweight now. We are talking about the weight of 500 ml bottle of water for a decent down bag. Unless you sleep cold, then a sleep sheet is enough in the summer months.

 

[yaying]

... since bed bug is mentioned... to spot if they are a resident(specially mattresses, wooden surface) they like edges & corners, if you notice small spot like color fading black (if not too much) usually it creates a cross sign mark....though i haven't done the camino yet...but on my bucket list is to have a non-rustle plastic bag(to avoid nuisance), black color where i can kept all my belongings & tightly sealed during a stay in albergues...as past experienced with, there are things that we cant just throw and changed stuff(very valued one, cant be washed as well) we tried to sealed it on a very dark plastic bag, which thankful it works...

 

[zammy]

Sleeping bags it is.
Thank you all

 

[williamlittig]

somebody who is walking now has told me that some public albergues
Had stopped supplying blankets because of bed bugs.
She recommends carrying a light sleeping bags.
True?

I have recently been a hospitalero in Estella's Parochial Albergue we did not have blankets. Last year we had blankets in Salamanca.

 

[williamlittig]

... since bed bug is mentioned... to spot if they are a resident(specially mattresses, wooden surface) they like edges & corners, if you notice small spot like color fading black (if not too much) usually it creates a cross sign mark....though i haven't done the camino yet...but on my bucket list is to have a non-rustle plastic bag(to avoid nuisance), black color where i can kept all my belongings & tightly sealed during a stay in albergues...as past experienced with, there are things that we cant just throw and changed stuff(very valued one, cant be washed as well) we tried to sealed it on a very dark plastic bag, which thankful it works...

Lookup "river bags or waterproof bags 15 ltr. lightweight bag is quiet , will compress easily , will last for many Caminos... You can thank me later... Ultreya... Willy/Utah/USA

 

[yaying]

Lookup "river bags or waterproof bags 15 ltr. lightweight bag is quiet , will compress easily , will last for many Caminos... You can thank me later... Ultreya... Willy/Utah/USA

Oh thank u sir! I rather say it now...

 

[camino-david]

I have recently been a hospitalero in Estella's Parochial Albergue we did not have blankets. Last year we had blankets in Salamanca.

Take a sleeping bag. No matter what is written in this forum, albergues change. I was a hospitalero at Estelle Parochial in 2015, and then we had blankets. Now (2017) it does not have blankets

 

[williamlittig]

Take a sleeping bag. No matter what is written in this forum, albergues change. I was a hospitalero at Estelle Parochial in 2015, and then we had blankets. Now (2017) it does not have blankets

Hospitaleros and Hospitaleras work hard and do not get paid in most "Donativo" albergues. Please leave a donation, it is with this money the church or city pays for lights, heat, sometimes food, and bedding that could include blankets and cleaning. These generous facilities survive by your generosity and the standards reflect the pilgrims that traveled before you. Leave a good mark on your Camino....... Ultreya....Willy/Utah/USA

 

[williamlittig]

If any one is near a Costco I noticed they restocked the 425g down quilts/blankets this week. At least mine did! $20 and 425g is cheap insurance.

These down throws are great for people less than 5'8" they are only 70 inches long or wear two socks... Ultreya

 

[trecile]

These down throws are great for people less than 5'8" they are only 70 inches long or wear two socks... Ultreya

Well, you don't normally cover your head.

 

[yaying]

Leave a good mark on your Camino

leave some one/thing better than you found them!