Did the Camino Frances from SJPP from 11 th June to Santiago 10 th July.
Lot's of different experiences, impact of it all hasn't really hit me yet.
On reading some of the blogs on some excellent albergues,I agree that everyone has a different experience. However I would like to just mention a few that let us down on the basics if it is of any help to anyone.
The worst experience I had was at Barbadello.We were very tired and had just passed the little village of Vilei.We passed a lovely albergues on the hill called O Pombal but decided to walk up the hill about 15 minutes to the XH albergues.It was a bit grim looking but we went in and were met by the door by the hospitalerio sitting sternly begind a desk. She never once smiled,and when asked about food we were pointed up the hill to casa del Carmen,dinner only.she said no shop,no restaurant. She didn't point out that the albergues 15 min away we just passed,had a bar menus,shop etc.
We stayed anyway, the kitchen had absolutely no cutlery or utensils of any kind.Neither guide book advised of this.So google any new hostels not in the guide book .in most areas there were a lot more even if the books said just one or two. There was a washing machinethat she shouted at me about detergent being already in the programme but could only hang clothes at the back wall outside where there was no sun.the hospitalerio followed me in when I was using washing machine and if I had wanted just to sit at one of the tables made me feel unwelcome.so I just sat outside where there was nothing, not even a cold drink machine.
The bunk beds were standard,bathroom clean and we were the only ones there.my partner asked for a blanket for night time,she said in Spanish, none,too hot. However in the kitchen there were boxes of stuff packed up.
When we were there sitting outside she put 4 other pilgrims off staying there with her manner and they walked away. That evening we walked back to the nice albergue we had seen and got some food.there we met the four girls she had put off staying. So it wasn't just us.my advice stay at OPombal.
As previous blogs here state,San Fenix was not clean,it was however friendly and kind in every way this woman at Barbadello was not.Despite appearances and a few insect bites there it was fine.
Finally Legidos,El Palomar,just avoid.Cold water,unfriendly, bad beds in rooms,springs sticking out,rooms cold,and staff cold.
Like everything in life there is always an exception and these albergues were an exception to what we experienced on the Camino.Even the most basic hostel is bearable if whoever runs it is just a little kind& courteous, after all mist pilgrims are kind and courteous regardless.
Hope this helps some of you.
All the best,
Buen Camino.
Lot's of different experiences, impact of it all hasn't really hit me yet.
On reading some of the blogs on some excellent albergues,I agree that everyone has a different experience. However I would like to just mention a few that let us down on the basics if it is of any help to anyone.
The worst experience I had was at Barbadello.We were very tired and had just passed the little village of Vilei.We passed a lovely albergues on the hill called O Pombal but decided to walk up the hill about 15 minutes to the XH albergues.It was a bit grim looking but we went in and were met by the door by the hospitalerio sitting sternly begind a desk. She never once smiled,and when asked about food we were pointed up the hill to casa del Carmen,dinner only.she said no shop,no restaurant. She didn't point out that the albergues 15 min away we just passed,had a bar menus,shop etc.
We stayed anyway, the kitchen had absolutely no cutlery or utensils of any kind.Neither guide book advised of this.So google any new hostels not in the guide book .in most areas there were a lot more even if the books said just one or two. There was a washing machinethat she shouted at me about detergent being already in the programme but could only hang clothes at the back wall outside where there was no sun.the hospitalerio followed me in when I was using washing machine and if I had wanted just to sit at one of the tables made me feel unwelcome.so I just sat outside where there was nothing, not even a cold drink machine.
The bunk beds were standard,bathroom clean and we were the only ones there.my partner asked for a blanket for night time,she said in Spanish, none,too hot. However in the kitchen there were boxes of stuff packed up.
When we were there sitting outside she put 4 other pilgrims off staying there with her manner and they walked away. That evening we walked back to the nice albergue we had seen and got some food.there we met the four girls she had put off staying. So it wasn't just us.my advice stay at OPombal.
As previous blogs here state,San Fenix was not clean,it was however friendly and kind in every way this woman at Barbadello was not.Despite appearances and a few insect bites there it was fine.
Finally Legidos,El Palomar,just avoid.Cold water,unfriendly, bad beds in rooms,springs sticking out,rooms cold,and staff cold.
Like everything in life there is always an exception and these albergues were an exception to what we experienced on the Camino.Even the most basic hostel is bearable if whoever runs it is just a little kind& courteous, after all mist pilgrims are kind and courteous regardless.
Hope this helps some of you.
All the best,
Buen Camino.