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I was a HOSVOL volunteer trainer for three years. We called these students "workshoppers." The came to the training without any intention of serving... IMHO, they were wasting our time and resources. We are not in the weekend workshop "self-enrichment" entertainment business. We train people to...
I would NOT do the San Salvador in reverse. It is hard enough following any Camino WITH the arrows, even when you already know the route. But this one is quite challenging in parts, and getting lost/hurt on the more remote stretches of the trail could be dicey indeed.
I live on the meseta and like to star-gaze. I have found pilgrims night-walking in the neighborhood. I usually stop and ask them if everything is OK. About half of them are exhausted and lost. The other ones are hardcore pilgrims who carry tents and have the flexibility and savvy to walk when...
there are all kinds of inflatable shapes available, why stop at boring old balloons? Fill up your travel pillow with helium, or your kid's paddle pool! How about one of those adult-toy life-size dolls? Take a load off your back, and be the life of the party, too! Just don't try to check Debbi...
More Templars? Puh-leeze. The original San Anton was built on the site of a royal hunting lodge. There are no Templars anywhere in the historic record, despite the best efforts of many to squeeze them in there.
Anna and FraLuchi stayed with us years ago. When her husband got too long-winded and 'splainy,' Anna would stand behind his chair, waving her hands just like he waved his, and making faces! They were quite a pair. Gracious and full of stories. May they rest in peace.
Here in Moratinos we now have Jim Beam as well as Four Roses. We've come a loooong way in 18 years. When we first arrived there was only the white lightning orujo made in Esteban's barn, and the "interesting" local vino tinto made in Manolo's bodega cave.
...but don't get too upset if your hospitalero DOESN'T know what's open up ahead. It is up to each pilgrim to take care of his own needs/do his own homework, and then look around and see who else could use a hand.
It was called "Un Paso Limpio," it was sponsored by the Amigos de Astorga and the Japanese Association of Pilgrims, with funding from Correos. Yellow plastic bags were distributed along the Frances route, and pilgrims could take them, fill them up along the Way, and hopefully drop them in a...
IMHO, a donativo/non-profit albergue should not be subject to "reviews," because it's not in the hotel business. It's not a business at all, it is a dedicated charitable institution, there to serve a particular population in need. It's a little like giving ratings to homeless shelters... or...
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