A day (or evening) in the life of an albergue

[MaxHelado]

As an albergue novice I would really appreciate some advice on what to expect and how to behave when staying in an albergue. For example.......
- should I expect a communal meal? What happens when you want to eat out at a local bar or restaurant?
- is it expected or simply appreciated if you help with the cooking or the washing-up?
- showering: in the evening? in the morning? both? Do you queue up and take your turn or book a slot?
- bedtime: is there an unspoken rule about "lights out"?

I have no doubt that I will make horrendous social blunders but it would be nice to keep them to the minimum!

 

[Flog]

You will learn and adapt very fast, don't worry!

 

[MaxHelado]

As an albergue novice I would really appreciate some advice on what to expect and how to behave when staying in an albergue. For example.......
- should I expect a communal meal? What happens when you want to eat out at a local bar or restaurant?
- is it expected or simply appreciated if you help with the cooking or the washing-up?
- showering: in the evening? in the morning? both? Do you queue up and take your turn or book a slot?
- bedtime: is there an unspoken rule about "lights out"?

I have no doubt that I will make horrendous social blunders but it would be nice to keep them to the minimum!

True, true

 

[Roland49]

- should I expect a communal meal? What happens when you want to eat out at a local bar or restaurant?

Only, if the Albergue is known for a communal meal. Like Casa Emaús in Burgos or the Parroquial in Grañon.
If you want to eat out, than you eat out.

- is it expected or simply appreciated if you help with the cooking or the washing-up?

In my experience: like the communal meal. If so, you will find out.

- showering: in the evening? in the morning? both? Do you queue up and take your turn or book a slot?

As far as I did it: after the check-in, getting rid of the street-dust. And in the morning, if possible. Getting ready for the road.

- bedtime: is there an unspoken rule about "lights out"?

Sometimes there are strict rules (closing time), sometimes not and sometime unspoken. But as rule of thumb 10pm is almost a good point to get a good healthy sleep and to get up early.

HTH

 

[Flog]

As far as I did it: after the check-in, getting rid of the street-dust. And in the morning, if possible. Getting ready for the road.

Get the shower out of the way when you arrive. The morning is for getting up and moving on.

 

[MaxHelado]

Only, if the Albergue is known for a communal meal. Like Casa Emaús in Burgos or the Parroquial in Grañon.
If you want to eat out, than you eat out.

In my experience: like the communal meal. If so, you will find out.

As far as I did it: after the check-in, getting rid of the street-dust. And in the morning, if possible. Getting ready for the road.

Sometimes there are strict rules (closing time), sometimes not and sometime unspoken. But as rule of thumb 10pm is almost a good point to get a good healthy sleep and to get up early.

HTH

Roland, thank you. That's very helpful.
I'm sure my questions seem very obvious but your answers are important to me.
I feel better prepared already.

 

[dick bird]

The main thing is really attitude, and your questions show you have the right one. Just be considerate to everyone else (including the hospitaleros). If you are not sure, ask. Buen camino.

 

[J Willhaus]

Usually when you check in, the hospitalero will orient you to open, lights out, and time to vacate. If there is a communal meal you may be given an option to help cook, set the table and wash up after the meal. You may be asked about food allergies or preferences. Some hospitaleros are territorial about the kitchen while others like to engage with pilgrims. There may be a kitchen to prepare your own food. Wash up after and remember that other pilgrims may be waiting to use the pots and pans, too.

You'll likely be asked to put your shoes on a rack by the door and wear another pair indoors to prevent the road dirt from being tracked inside. Some albergues assign you a bed and others may tell you to choose one. We usually assign so we can hold back some lower bunks for older or injured pilgrims who may arrive later. You'll need a sleeping bag of some kind.

The hospitalero will show you where you can hand wash your clothes or there may be a machine. Usually the hospitalero runs the machine and soap is included in the cost of the wash. There will be a rack or clothesline for drying or there may be a dryer.

In the bathroom just be considerate. There is usually a mop bucket out for you to mop up after your shower. You will want to bring your own towel and toiletries. Let the hospitaleto know if you need more toilet paper. We check often, but when things get busy sometimes we need a reminder.

In the bunk room, try not to be too noisy. Don't set an alarm. Keep the rustling of zippers, plastic bags to minimum. Don't put your backpack on the bed or on a chair. If it is a donativo, don't forget to leave your donation. We say give what your heart and pocketbook will allow. Consider what you would have paid for similar services at an albergue with a certain charge for bed, meals. Etc.

You'll soon get the hang of it.

 

[MaxHelado]

Usually when you check in, the hospitalero will orient you to open, lights out, and time to vacate. If there is a communal meal you may be given an option to help cook, set the table and wash up after the meal. You may be asked about food allergies or preferences. Some hospitaleros are territorial about the kitchen while others like to engage with pilgrims. There may be a kitchen to prepare your own food. Wash up after and remember that other pilgrims may be waiting to use the pots and pans, too.

You'll likely be asked to put your shoes on a rack by the door and wear another pair indoors to prevent the road dirt from being tracked inside. Some albergues assign you a bed and others may tell you to choose one. We usually assign so we can hold back some lower bunks for older or injured pilgrims who may arrive later. You'll need a sleeping bag of some kind.

The hospitalero will show you where you can hand wash your clothes or there may be a machine. Usually the hospitalero runs the machine and soap is included in the cost of the wash. There will be a rack or clothesline for drying or there may be a dryer.

In the bathroom just considerate. There is usually a mop bucket out for you to mop up after your shower. You will want to bring your own towel and toiletries. Let the hospitaleto know if you need more toilet paper. We check often, but when things get busy sometimes we need a reminder.

In the bunk room, try not to be too noisy. Don't set an alarm. Keep the rustling of zippers, plastic bags to minimum. Don't put your backpack on the bed or on a chair. If it is a donativo, don't forget to leave your donation. We say give what your heart and pocketbook will allow. Consider what you would have paid for similar services at an albergue with a certain charge for bed, meals. Etc.

You'll soon get the hang of it.

Brilliant! What a great summary. Many thanks.

 

[BarbaraW]

Its the norn that people shower in the afternoon/evening.
Anyone wanting a morning shower please make sure there are bathrooms free for other people. I stayed in an albergue that had twenty beds and just two bathrooms, each containing a shower, sink and toilet. There was a queue of very uncomfortable people in the morning whent two people decided to take a shower.

 

[J Willhaus]

Yes, I agree that most pilgrims shower in the afternoon or evening.

 

[Jodean]

Shower when you get there, never in the morning.
Lots of albergues have communal meals but they advertise that they do. Have had some outstanding meals so far.
You will get rules at each albergue.
Pack in the early evening, have your clothes ready for in the morning & all you have to do is toss your sleeping bag/nightgown into your pack & leave the room. This means you don’t need a headlamp to get ready.
If there is breakfast you can go brush your teeth afterwards.
Mesh bags are great. They are quiet & you can see what is inside.
Remember you are sharing spaces. Don’t hog the shower, rinse out the sink.
Lights out at night also means your phone or. ipad. Those flickering lights are annoying. Make sure your phone is on silence. No alarms!

 

[MichaelBW]

Usually when you check in, the hospitalero will orient you to open, lights out, and time to vacate. If there is a communal meal you may be given an option to help cook, set the table and wash up after the meal. You may be asked about food allergies or preferences. Some hospitaleros are territorial about the kitchen while others like to engage with pilgrims. There may be a kitchen to prepare your own food. Wash up after and remember that other pilgrims may be waiting to use the pots and pans, too.

You'll likely be asked to put your shoes on a rack by the door and wear another pair indoors to prevent the road dirt from being tracked inside. Some albergues assign you a bed and others may tell you to choose one. We usually assign so we can hold back some lower bunks for older or injured pilgrims who may arrive later. You'll need a sleeping bag of some kind.

The hospitalero will show you where you can hand wash your clothes or there may be a machine. Usually the hospitalero runs the machine and soap is included in the cost of the wash. There will be a rack or clothesline for drying or there may be a dryer.

In the bathroom just be considerate. There is usually a mop bucket out for you to mop up after your shower. You will want to bring your own towel and toiletries. Let the hospitaleto know if you need more toilet paper. We check often, but when things get busy sometimes we need a reminder.

In the bunk room, try not to be too noisy. Don't set an alarm. Keep the rustling of zippers, plastic bags to minimum. Don't put your backpack on the bed or on a chair. If it is a donativo, don't forget to leave your donation. We say give what your heart and pocketbook will allow. Consider what you would have paid for similar services at an albergue with a certain charge for bed, meals. Etc.

You'll soon get the hang of it.

Are you able to lock up your pack and gear?

 

[J Willhaus]

Are you able to lock up your pack and gear?

At some places there are lockers, but at most places no. Carry anything of value with you at all times.

 

[MichaelBW]

Where do you put your pack and gear, if not on the bed or the chairs when sleeping and exploring the town?

 

[J Willhaus]

Usually on the floor under your bunk. Packs with only clothes are pretty safe. No one wants your clothes or toiletries. Floors are swept and mopped daily. You don't want it to be a trip hazard for others.

 

[MichaelBW]

Great, thanks.

 

[David Tallan]

Get the shower out of the way when you arrive. The morning is for getting up and moving on.

That was also how I did it. I also tended to shower a bit differently in albergues. I would turn on the water to wet myself, turn it off and soap up, then turn it back on to rinse off. You use a lot less water that way, saving more hot water for other pilgrims. At home I am more wasteful.

 

[David Tallan]

If it is a donativo, don't forget to leave your donation. We say give what your heart and pocketbook will allow. Consider what you would have paid for similar services at an albergue with a certain charge for bed, meals. Etc.

I tend to give, not according to what I have received but what I would like future pilgrims to receive. After all, what I give determines just that. I worry that if we give according to what receive a group of stingy pilgrims could send an albergue on a downward spiral. There would be less with which to provide for the next batch of pilgrims, leading them to receive less and give less and so on. Hopefully, pilgrims being the mutually supportive bunch I've seen, giving according to what we want other pilgrims to receive will head in the opposite direction.

 

[dbeatriceb]

As an albergue novice I would really appreciate some advice on what to expect and how to behave when staying in an albergue. For example.......
- should I expect a communal meal? What happens when you want to eat out at a local bar or restaurant?
- is it expected or simply appreciated if you help with the cooking or the washing-up?
- showering: in the evening? in the morning? both? Do you queue up and take your turn or book a slot?
- bedtime: is there an unspoken rule about "lights out"?

I have no doubt that I will make horrendous social blunders but it would be nice to keep them to the minimum!

Albergues vary, each is different. Some offer communal meals and some do not. It’s not obligatory and nobody will be offended if you do not partake. Sometimes the hospitaleros prepare communal meals and sometimes albergue kitchens are simply a free for all with pilgrims preparing their own food and doing their own cleaning up. Ask when checking in because a communal meal can be a separate charge. Most people shower in the afternoon after they arrive, not in the AM. Showers are first come first served. Lights out times vary according to the group staying that night. Some folks are noisier later into the evening and sometimes everyone is asleep and snoring in chorus by 9-10PM. Re showers, bathrooms, lights out, just try to be considerate. You’ll get the hang of it in no time. There is usually a time by which the hospitaleros want everyone to have left in the AM, usually no later than 8 o’clock. This gives them time to clean and make ready for the next group. There are no strict standard rules across the board for staying in albergues. However, upon check in, you will be notified of any specific rules for a particular albergue.

 

[trecile]

Albergues vary, each is different. Some offer communal meals and some do not.

In my experience most do not

 

[Seekingpeace]

Where do you put your pack and gear, if not on the bed or the chairs when sleeping and exploring the town?

Lockers, where available… when not, I read in another forum post about the Hero Clip - seems handy for being able to hang packs off of bed rails, to keep them off the floor and off beds when there aren’t hooks - or maybe “enough” hooks - available.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

another item to note: When breakfasts are laid-out the night before and you are the first person awake in the morning, all that food is not for you alone. Take ONE. Don't steal someone else's breakfast!

Food supplies are usually the hospitalero's province. Never assume that food is there for you to take. Ask, and you will not be embarrassed later!

 

[HeidiL]

A note about morning showers: I have found that starting my walk with slightly moist feet, even from a morning shower, make my feet more susceptible to blisters. So I only do morning showers if I am NOT walking.

 

[WalkingInGers]

A note about morning showers: I have found that starting my walk with slightly moist feet, even from a morning shower, make my feet more susceptible to blisters. So I only do morning showers if I am NOT walking.

i agree with you..but seriously cream up feet before putting on my socks..to avoid blisters and it has worked well so far. Shower at night after pushing 25 to 30 kms Not in the morning for an early start.