PEI_Heather
Canadian Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2016 - Voie de la Nive
2012, 2016 - Frances
2013 - Portuguese
2012, 2013 - Finesterre & Muxia
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I took a self inflating mat and didn't use it once. Even if you are looking to stay in the Bombeiros Voluntarios they have matresses. Accommodation from Lisbon to Porto is readily available but it is more expensive than the albergues from Porto to Santiago (however the food and drink was often cheaper). One of the guys I walked with had a foam mat and we used that to sit and rest on the ground. It was handy for that, but he didn't sleep on his and he stayed in several Bombeiros. I don't think the season will make much difference to the accommodation options south of Porto.
Bom Caminho,
Phil.
I don’t think that you will need, because even the Bombeiros Voluntários (Volunteer Firefighters) have mattresses for you to use.
I will only give you and advice about firefighters. Most of them aren’t accepting pilgrims after an incident that happened in February or March this year, so pay attention to that. Be always one foot ahead from your sleeping location, and try to see if you have any alternatives.
Best Regards
Diogo Martins
I don’t think that you will need, because even the Bombeiros Voluntários (Volunteer Firefighters) have mattresses for you to use.
I will only give you and advice about firefighters. Most of them aren’t accepting pilgrims after an incident that happened in February or March this year, so pay attention to that. Be always one foot ahead from your sleeping location, and try to see if you have any alternatives.
Best Regards
Diogo Martins
For what I’ve been told, there was one guy that went to fire houses, and tell the firefighters that was a pilgrim, and ended up stealing things from the firefighters.
He even stole one car once. So the firefighters started talking between them, and they started to deny pilgrims accommodation. It’s not all, but the majority it’s denying accommodation.
Best Regards
Diogo
I am actually kind of surprised that the Bombeiros kept on taking pilgrims for such a long time. When the numbers were trivially small, it was no big deal. They have some extra beds, a pilgrim shows up occasionally, why not let him/her take a shower and sleep there. But as this becomes a more regular occurrence, even if there is no pilgrim misbehavior or no people masquerading as pilgrims, it must at some point interfere with their primary reason for being there, ie, fighting fires. So even though this is a shameful way to put an end to this generosity, I think we can say that the silver lining is that more and more pilgrim accommodations are being built to pick up the slack, and that in turn will bring more pilgrims!
If you compare the accommodations available back when I walked in 2009, the growth and improvement have been amazing! Laurie
Thank you, Phil I've been looking for a mat and will now quit!I took a self inflating mat and didn't use it once. Even if you are looking to stay in the Bombeiros Voluntarios they have matresses. Accommodation from Lisbon to Porto is readily available but it is more expensive than the albergues from Porto to Santiago (however the food and drink was often cheaper). One of the guys I walked with had a foam mat and we used that to sit and rest on the ground. It was handy for that, but he didn't sleep on his and he stayed in several Bombeiros. I don't think the season will make much difference to the accommodation options south of Porto.
Bom Caminho,
Phil.
I know I've said this often, but I'll say it again. For pilgrims walking between Lisboa and Porto, if you have a phone, and if you have a problem, you can call 915 595 213. That is the "SOS peregrinos" phone number -- someone will help you. A member of the ViaLusitana has this phone on 24/7 -- they can get you help in English, Spanish, German, or Portuguese. Believe it or not, they have helped people who called from the middle of a eucalyptus forest, or from some confusing place near Pombalinho, or looking for a place to stay in some town along the way. They are wonderful people and will help you. So, carry this number and don't be afraid to use it! Bom caminho, Laurie
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