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Oh the joys of hearing aids!
Not one to be bullied, I removed said bicycle pannier, wiped the dust off the bed and replaced my stuff and laid down for a siesta. A short time later the guy came back, stood there and stared at me, I smiled at him and he quietly picked-up his stuff and found a top bunk.
The only thing that really annoyed me was drunk people talking/shouting/singing late at night. Everything else is just inconvenient.Only because it wasnt meApart from the people having sex in Portomarin.
It happens. I stayed in Najera municipal. It was soooo hot with 90 people in one room that was way too small and all the bunks directly placed together side to side and head to toe, that i decided to sleep on the wooden benches in the communal area. Another couple had the same idea. They were sleeping on the floor in their sleeping bags, except they weren't sleeping hahaha. Apparently it did not bother them that i went to sleep on 2 wooden benches placed together, 'cause they just continued NOT sleeping
Right there in the albergue? Where everyone else is sleeping?
ha ha
It was in the albergue in the bar called Buenavista or Boavista or something. The floor is subdivided into 6 bunk cells, someone in one of the other cells. What the other 4 people were doing I dont know.
Once, after my neighbours at home had loudly, ahem, finished I gave them a round of applause. Never heard a sound after that
It happens. I stayed in Najera municipal. It was soooo hot with 90 people in one room that was way too small and all the bunks directly placed together side to side and head to toe, that i decided to sleep on the wooden benches in the communal area. Another couple had the same idea. They were sleeping on the floor in their sleeping bags, except they weren't sleeping hahaha. Apparently it did not bother them that i went to sleep on 2 wooden benches placed together, 'cause they just continued NOT sleeping
In another thread, someone commented that their friend referred to Albergues as 'Animal Sheds' ! LOL.
I have no inclination to experience them thanks
(Before you ask, I do have a variety of personal reasons for avoiding them).
Honestly, overall they are really not that bad, especially if you stay in the private albergues. Nonetheless there are plenty of nice hotels, pension houses and hostels offering private rooms along the Way. I stayed several nights in private rooms and it was a nice break from the albergues.
I have been taking @Mark Lee's older crowd comments with a small pinch of salt - I don't think he is any spring chicken himself!As a member of the " older crowd" - No I don't feel patronised,Mark Lee,
... snip ...
Remember:- The older generation thought nothing of getting up at 05.00, every morning;
and the younger generation doesn't think much of it either!
I have been taking @Mark Lee's older crowd comments with a small pinch of salt - I don't think he is any spring chicken himself!
It happens. I stayed in Najera municipal. It was soooo hot with 90 people in one room that was way too small and all the bunks directly placed together side to side and head to toe, that i decided to sleep on the wooden benches in the communal area. Another couple had the same idea. They were sleeping on the floor in their sleeping bags, except they weren't sleeping hahaha. Apparently it did not bother them that i went to sleep on 2 wooden benches placed together, 'cause they just continued NOT sleeping
Since some young amorous pilgrim couples were “très sportif" those upper bunks kept swaying back and forth throughout the night; the troops had arrived.
MM
As we're on the subject of Albergues etc; does anyone think the hospitalaro would take offence if I covered the bed with polythene (the non rustling kind) to guard against bed bugs.
As we're on the subject of Albergues etc; does anyone think the hospitalaro would take offence if I covered the bed with polythene (the non rustling kind) to guard against bed bugs.
I'm looking forward to the challenge of communal living. I'm hyper-vigilant, startle easily, have trust issues, and wake to the softest coo of a baby. I haven't always been this way and want to change. I can't think of better re-training grounds.
One night in Acebo a guy slept on one of those made of aluminum foil, it sounded like a thousand rustling plastic shopping bags every time he moved. I commented to someone in the morning the only thing missing from his ensemble was a "tin foil hat!"As we're on the subject of Albergues etc; does anyone think the hospitalaro would take offence if I covered the bed with polythene (the non rustling kind) to guard against bed bugs.
Gel earplugs...new one on me! Where did you find em? Although after a lifetime of sleeping with a spectacular snorer...I have learned to find sleep almost anywhere! But sometimes those little aids help in getting to the sleep zone faster!I must say my supply of gel ear plugs have been essential on this Camino. Absolutely stunning. Heard nothing all night.
I used a DIY Tyvek 1443R "fabric" sheet (see http://www.materialconcepts.com/products/tyvek/soft-structure/, and available at some fabric shops that cater to the ultralight DIY community). I treated the bottom with permethrin as well as the outer sides (leaving the top area on which I slept free of the permethrin to minimize absorption by my body). It is lighter than cotton, with good water resistance, and is quieter than most sleeping bags.As we're on the subject of Albergues etc; does anyone think the hospitalaro would take offence if I covered the bed with polythene (the non rustling kind) to guard against bed bugs.
But remember, we all have little habits and foibles that irritate those around us, so we have to be careful not to cast the first stone.
That might be my uncle Pete, who is a self-described "old hippy just trying to adjust . . . and failing miserably."One night in Acebo a guy slept on one of those made of aluminum foil, it sounded like a thousand rustling plastic shopping bags every time he moved. I commented to someone in the morning the only thing missing from his ensemble was a "tin foil hat!"
I used a DIY Tyvek 1443R "fabric" sheet (see http://www.materialconcepts.com/products/tyvek/soft-structure/, and available at some fabric shops that cater to the ultralight DIY community). I treated the bottom with permethrin as well as the outer sides (leaving the top area on which I slept free of the permethrin to minimize absorption by my body). It is lighter than cotton, with good water resistance, and is quieter than most sleeping bags.
I put a total of six gromets in the corners and at the midpoint on the short sides of the sheet, which allowed the sheet to be pitched as a tarp with walking poles in case I had to "go to ground" in adverse weather. I also carried a very light set of six titanium stakes and guy lines, which, when added to the weight of the Tyvek, was roughly the same as a cotton bed sheet. In better weather, it would also work great as a sit pad, ground cloth, makeshift "burrito wrap" bivvy, etc.
It might be an idea for the credencial issuing bodies to consider inserting a page regarding the most serious issues of Camino etiquette. e.g. coming in drunk, don't claim jump bunks, observe lights on/off times, no sex in the dorms (who ever thought we'd come to that!), respect the rules of each individual albergue. I suggest this because, although I have never set a foot on the Camino, everyday living tells me that there are good people out there who annoy the hell out of others and are entirely oblivious. Maybe they just need to have the major causes brought to their attention?
Koi:I used a DIY Tyvek 1443R "fabric" sheet (see http://www.materialconcepts.com/products/tyvek/soft-structure/, and available at some fabric shops that cater to the ultralight DIY community). I treated the bottom with permethrin as well as the outer sides (leaving the top area on which I slept free of the permethrin to minimize absorption by my body). It is lighter than cotton, with good water resistance, and is quieter than most sleeping bags.
I put a total of six gromets in the corners and at the midpoint on the short sides of the sheet, which allowed the sheet to be pitched as a tarp with walking poles in case I had to "go to ground" in adverse weather. I also carried a very light set of six titanium stakes and guy lines, which, when added to the weight of the Tyvek, was roughly the same as a cotton bed sheet. In better weather, it would also work great as a sit pad, ground cloth, makeshift "burrito wrap" bivvy, etc.
Good point. I typically wash new tyvek twice to soften it. Only after that will apply the permethrin.Koi:
Make sure you tell folks to wash the tyvek in a washing machine before they go. It makes it softer and takes out much of the shopping bag sound it normally has. But it does not affect it's water resistance.
Rambler
No, but I contemplated it several times on the day we crossed the Route Napoleon. There were patches of thick fog and freezing rain. We could manage the rain so long as we kept moving, but would have needed shelter if we stopped, which would have been prudent had the fog thickened worse, especially since we had never walked the route before and had 100% dependence on the trail markers.Sounds interesting. Did you ever end up using it as a shelter?
Nice one mark and agree with your comments its only 30-35 days and if you can get past other peoples discretion's then you will be fine i usually went to bed about 10.30pm and up again at 6.00am earplugs hoodie on my mummy sleeping bag over the head and no water exhumed after 19.00pm usually had a good nights sleep.Ah, the joys of communal living.
Overall I never really had any problem sleeping in any of the albergues despite early risers, snoring, etc. It's all part of the experience. If you have never experienced communal living before in your life, I could see where there would be some culture shock, especially for the older crowd who have never done it. You just have to take it all in stride. Besides, it's only for about 30-35 days of your life for the most part, and the good far outweighs the bad.
I only really had one semi-rude experience which effected me on the Camino. It was during the last 100 km when there are a lot more people staying in the albergues. I had checked in my albergue and it was one that did not assign beds. I found a lower bunk, and put my pack at the foot of it and then put my small fleece blanket on top of the mattress. I went out to get something to eat and when I returned a couple of hours later I saw that someone had pushed my pack off to the side, removed my blanket and had placed a dirt/dust covered bicycle pack/pannier on the bed. Not one to be bullied, I removed said bicycle pannier, wiped the dust off the bed and replaced my stuff and laid down for a siesta. A short time later the guy came back, stood there and stared at me, I smiled at him and he quietly picked-up his stuff and found a top bunk.
Always puzzles me when couples make the Camino their honeymoon. It's about love, but I thought in the sense of "caritas" not "carnal"....
Mack's silicone earplugs are hypoallergenic, moldable, and very excellent at drowning out snorers. They are in regular drugstores here, also online. One round piece is good for two ears - just pull it apart like gel taffy.Gel earplugs...new one on me! Where did you find em? Although after a lifetime of sleeping with a spectacular snorer...I have learned to find sleep almost anywhere! But sometimes those little aids help in getting to the sleep zone faster!
Currently I am in Triacastela. Very beautiful here! Walking the Camino is nothing short of amazing!
BUT
I think it's time to discuss a few things that could make so many lives easier. Sharing confined spaces is difficult for everyone but I think just a few things to keep in mind for common courtesy might be:
Rattling plastic bags all hours of the day and night or other excessive noise.
Taking care to wash eating/cooking utensils after your have prepared your meal
Coming in drunk, acting belligerent
Fighting/yelling/arguing over available bunks
Early risers bathing in tiger balm or bengay at 430 am
Please feel free to add
Buen Camino!View attachment 9395
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