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Pilgrim numbers up.

IngridF

Intrepid Peregrina
Time of past OR future Camino
2012, 2015 ,2017, 2019
Just finished serving at the albergue in Grado , first major stop after Oviedo.
The albergue has 16 places and except for 2 days during my first week, we were full and found places for the rest that could or would not walk on to the next albergue about 4.8 kms walk.
There is Ca Taeo a lovely place run by a couple that seem to magically have acess to rooms. Jesus we called the unofficial mayor because he popped up everywhere.
Then there is Auto Bar on the way out of town a nice pension with a bar and restaurant with grandmother in the kitchen.... the asturian lamb dish is to die for.
Not sure what happened on the 31st. We checked in 29 pilgrims ( we too had a magical place ) after we filled both CaTeao and Auto bar and found out that the next 2 albergue were full too.

The next morning we fed 29+pilgrims (CaTeos pilgrims may come for breakfast) with food usually that feeds 16. The magic of the multidute of loaves (no fishes), cookies and madeleinas.
This was my last day and I left after having checked in 15 Spaniards and 1 a German pilgrim.....total switch on pilgrim nationalities. ...in July it was 75% international pilgrims.
3 Spanish hospitaleros have started their duties now.

Please be prepared for larger#...the Primitivo is becoming a popular alternative not just for veteran pilgrims but also first timers. Grado for many was their first albergue experience and some had no clue what that ment.
My fellow hospitalera who was fluent in Spanish and many other languages did a wonderful job in passing on this education. She also had just walked the Primitivo and was a wealth of information when asked.
This is not an easy Camino even for seasoned pilgrims.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Thanks Ingrid, hospitaleras, like yourself make the Camino what it is and numerous times I have experienced the difference you make.
After walking the Salvador in July, I took a few days break in Oviedo and was knocked out by the town and the Asturian people. If I had planned it correctly I could have gone on and walked the Primitivo - however there is always next year when I can re-introduce myself to Asturians, Bean Stew and Cidre!
Best Wishes
Davie
 
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Gradp for many was their first albergue experience and some had no clue what that ment. My fellow hospitalera who was fluent in Spanish and many other languages did a wonderful job in passing on this education.
Ingrid, I am curious what this "being new to albergues" situation translated to in practical terms.mif you have a minute, I would be grateful if you could elaborate.
 
Ingrid, I am curious what this "being new to albergues" situation translated to in practical terms.mif you have a minute, I would be grateful if you could elaborate.
I mean this literally. ...First Camino..first albergue. There were a few that missed opening g times at the Cathedral in Oviedo and got their credential in Grado and/or first cello.
I usually asked what prompted them to walk this Camino and not an easier route...answers varied. Some didn't know it was difficult, other wanted to avoid the crowds on the C. Frances. One or 2 just decided on the spur of the moment. ...none of these examples had ever slept in an albergue and were surprised by the house rules. .I. e. Doors shut at 10 and lights out and in times. Grado is a great place to ease in...but much more comfortable then what is to come. We had some pushback re. Doors shut time, especially since Grado was celebrating some kind of Fiesta every day and the last weekend in July was a double feast day.
 
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They obviously hadn't got into the walk, eat, sleep regimen, yet. My first albergue last year was empty but me. I didn't get a full albergue experience until maybe Sarria. All the ones I stayed at were half full at best. But I expected nothing more than what the Hostel Association offers in the UK (a bed and shower/toilets). Also I was walking 12 hours per day, so when I arrived at the albergue, all I wanted was to shower, eat something, drink something, then fall into bed for 8 hours kip. No interest in fiestas or such when I know I have 20 miles of walking to do the next day.

Will the Primitivo be empty in October?
 
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Will the Primitivo be empty in October?

@ingrid will have more up to date info, but I can tell you that when I walked the Primitivo in October, there were enough people to have a group together at night (anywhere from 10-20) but no bed rush, except for Berducedo, where at the time the only game in town was the municipal albergue. That is no longer the case. I walked in October, 2008, and I know the numbers have increased dramatically on the Primitivo. So I would expect that you will have a fair amount of company.

But I have walked it twice since then in summer, most recently last year, and never had a problem finding a bed. Now with all the new places, even if the traffic is high, it will be less than in summer so you should be fine.
 
Sweet. I am looking forward to completing this route, this year. It may be a while after this until I can attempt anything larger. Still it leaves Ingles for another year. :)
 
Thank You peregrina2000 for helping pilgrims. I am afraid most of the times we do not realize the effort that people like you make.
We reach the albergue exausted, hungry and dirty and tend to think that we deserve all your care just because you are there as a volunteer. This is not fair and pilgrims should be more grateful to you.
About grado, I would like to ask you if the other two options you mentioned apart from the albergue are ok. I plan to go in sept and maybe the albergue will be full.
Thanks and...Ultreia!
 
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Thank You peregrina2000 for helping pilgrims. I am afraid most of the times we do not realize the effort that people like you make.
We reach the albergue exausted, hungry and dirty and tend to think that we deserve all your care just because you are there as a volunteer. This is not fair and pilgrims should be more grateful to you.
About grado, I would like to ask you if the other two options you mentioned apart from the albergue are ok. I plan to go in sept and maybe the albergue will be full.
Thanks and...Ultreia!
Hi, Sorolla, your kind words are meant for @IngridF, not me! And I agree with everything you say.

But about your question, I think that the thing to do is to just go to the albergue, and the hospitaleros there have all the info about other options if the albergue is full. BTW, I stayed in a little apt. owned by the hotel Auto. It had three bedrooms, living room, kitchen and bath, and I think we paid 20 each. It was fine. Buen camino, Laurie
 
Hi, Sorolla, your kind words are meant for @IngridF, not me! And I agree with everything you say.

But about your question, I think that the thing to do is to just go to the albergue, and the hospitaleros there have all the info about other options if the albergue is full. BTW, I stayed in a little apt. owned by the hotel Auto. It had three bedrooms, living room, kitchen and bath, and I think we paid 20 each. It was fine. Buen camino, Laurie

Oops, sorry, well Ingrid I meant you...;)
Thank you for your kind advice Peregrina
Ultreia!
 

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