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Advice on working as a Hospitalera please...

SafariGirl

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Francés, Vía de la Plata, Primitivo, Norte, Lebaniego & Vadiniense,
Aragonés
Hi,

I've just returned from completing the Camino Frances (SJPP to SdC) and am very interested in going back in the Spring/Summer to work as a Hospitalera...for as long as possible. I understand that it is usual to spend no more than 2 weeks in this role at an individual albergue and would like to do this, moving from place to place along the way. Can anyone offer me any informed advice about the best way to make enquiries please?

I've tried emailing the Confraternity of James (I live in the UK) and am waiting for a response. I've tried searching on the web and very little current information comes up when I search.

My Spanish is extremely basic, but I'm planning to 'cram' between now and then to improve it...starting with 'phrases most useful when dealing with pilgrim scenarios'!

Any advice and/or signposts would be much appreciated
 
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Rebekah is the person you need to contact. She runs a course and has contacts everywhere.
 
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Thanks very much both. Really useful and much appreciated.
 
The link and related blogs/articles on 'being a hospitalero' were really good to read. Many thanks KinkyOne
 
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I don't train hospis anymore, but I can give you a good word of advice.
Go ahead and serve the usual two-week hospitalero stint. Do not sign on for more in succession after that, not until you've been there and done that. It really is NOT what it seems, after two weeks you really need some down-time, sometimes a whole lot of down time!

Once you've done the first stint, you qualify to serve just about anywhere. Whether you'll want to or not, that's another question.
 
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Transport luggage-passengers.
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No beating round the bush. As always
 
Hi SafariGirl -

The CSJ refugio, Refugio Gaucelmo, at Rabanal, is a very, very special refugio to volunteer at. Volunteers return there time and time again to work. Everything is so well set up and organised for you - you won't have any doubts and you'll be able to carry out the volunteership with confidence. As you probably know, they also have another refugio at Miraz on the Northern route.

The CSJ hold a training day in London for new hospitaleros each year which is a brilliant day. I had the privilege of doing the training day with the CSJ in February last year before working at Rabanal the following July.

To be of service to pilgrims, and to be a part of village life on the Camino, is something that will stay with you - it brings so many rewards and is so fulfilling. You'll long to return!

Wherever you go, take joy in the wonderful hospitalera role.

Cheers - Jenny
 
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It's doable, the downtime in between is essential. Speaking from experience having done this in Summer 2015. Much also will depend on your fellow hospitaleros. Good luck.
 
Serving (yes it is service and work!) as a hospitaler@ voluntari@ is an amazing experience, I have done the standard 2 week stint in Grañón, El Burgo Ranero, Ponferrada, Nájera and a few days in Zamora. But...as a few have mentioned, maybe best would be to plan on serving in one albergue or two then see how you feel. To be honest, I didn't "get" the two week thing until after I completed my first post in Grañón: it was the most exhilarating, emotional and exhausting experience I had ever had. But here I am 3+ years later still hoping to continue. For me the best combo is to serve then walk although this past summer I walked for a month then served in Nájera.

The Spanish Federation has not yet posted the courses for 2016. It usually happens after the yearly reunion in December (this year in Santiago to celebrate 25 years of volunteer work). Luckily I am off on Saturday to join.

Also I would emphasize: learn as much Spanish as you can. It will enrich your experience.

Good luck.

Cheers
Lee
 
Hi SafariGirl
I worked at Estella Parochial Albergue for 2 weeks this year and definitely echo the thoughts of others regarding doing a 2 week stint only, then a long break before doing it again. It is NOT a holiday. The Spanish federation require you to have walked a Camino and done a training course before they will post you to an albergue. I have written extensively about my experience but have not finished editing my draft yet, but send me a private message with your email address and I will send you my essay when finished (soon).
 
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€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
I enjoyed meeting you Camino-David early October. Friendly small albergue. Thanks for the chat and the hug
 
@camino-david, may I also have a copy of your essay when you have finished it? I will send you a private message. I have a hope / dream of heading over to Spain, taking an immersion course in Spanish (I think other members have mentioned Alicante or Salamanca for this) then following it with a hospitalera stint and Camino. Still in the very, very early stages of this dream.......
 
It took me months of research before I was able to make any headway. I ended up in a training in Canada and then it was a few months waiting and emailing and finally found a placement. It was an awesome experience! I walked to my post in Granon from SJPP and then continued on to Santiago, Muxia and Finisterre.
The whole thing was very much worth the waiting and searching.
Do it!
 
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