Derek Booth
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances March 2019
Cam. Port. April 2024
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Are you pre-booking your night at these establishments? My understanding is that bags can be dropped off at known drop off points in a town or village, then the pilgrim, upon arrival, can ask to stay there or, as I've understood to happen, can take his bag and go elsewhere. I don't know how the establishment feels about this practice, but I believe it is done. Hopefully, others can contribute here.
@Felipe, are you sure this is the case? Because it didn't appear to be so when I walked in 2013. I think just a delivery address is required. In fact, once my delivery address was to an albergue, for which I did not have a reservation, but which I learned later that day did not accept 'deliveries.' Upon arrival at the village I was directed to the one albergue in that village that did accept deliveries and I found my pack there, and I ended up staying at that albergue. And I am fairly certain that not everyone whose pack that was delivered there that day stayed there that night.As a rule, baggage carriers demand that you have a reservation in the destination point.
I have used these services twice. Both times, it was organized by hospitaleros and a reservation to the albergue in the destination point was demanded. On the other hand, the carrier was just a local taxi driver, so maybe big (of sorts) companies have other policies.
As you know, in Spain "hablando se entiende la gente" (blandly translated: "the best way to understand one another is by talking to each other"). That means that many rules are negotiable. But also, people can be frank almost to the point ot rudeness when they feel there is an inconvenient behavior. So, I always try to be very, very polite...
Ah yes, I can quite understand if the arrangement is made through the hospitalero a booking for the night is necessary, and to pick up one's bag at the drop off point and continue on (unless one pays for the night's lodging) would be most awkward, rude and inconsiderate. However, I don't think it is necessary to involve the hospitalero in the pack-forwarding process. I believe Jacotrans - I'm speaking of the CF as that's where I walked - leaves their envelopes and tags at the albergue reception for use by pilgrims. The pilgrims can phone Jacotrans themselves, put their money in the envelope with the forwarding address, and leave their packs with firmly attached envelopes at the front of the albergue (or wherever the hospitalero may advise) for pick up by Jacotrans. In fact Jacotrans, upon delivery of your pack, will leave an empty envelope for your use the next time. As I said, I am speaking of Jacotrans here on the CF; I don't know about those routes where the transportation is done by individual operators. That might be something else entirely.I have used these services twice. Both times, it was organized by hospitaleros and a reservation to the albergue in the destination point was demanded. On the other hand, the carrier was just a local taxi driver, so maybe big (of sorts) companies have other policies.
As you know, in Spain "hablando se entiende la gente" (blandly translated: "the best way to understand one another is by talking to each other"). That means that many rules are negotiable. But also, people can be frank almost to the point ot rudeness when they feel there is an inconvenient behavior. So, I always try to be very, very polite...
Yes I did that to a hospeterio from an albergue in Castrojeriz. He charged me €6 for storage. He was quite upset, but I found the most wonderful hostal "Rosalia" in town. I've stayed there twice now. LoveYou might have to pay for a bed that you won't use in the albergue where you made the reservation.
When I walked the Frances I walked with 2 different people who had the Albergue become very upset when they said they were not stay where their bag was sent. One of them demand payment for the bag as storage fee. I also helped someone search the town for their bag because they had sent it to a place that didn’t take bags. In this case it was in a line of bags st the local bar in town.I would politely suggest that you put your 'big boy (or girl)' pants on and honor commitments you make regarding lodging reservations and / or baggage / backpack transport. If you send your pack ahead to a place of accommodation, stay there. IMHO, jilting the innkeeper in this manner spoils it for others coming behind you. We, none of us, do not need that.
Even though you send you main pack ahead, you should be carrying a smaller, day bag, with water snacks, first aid, raingear and ALL your valuables and personal medication.
The mochila / pack transport system works VERY well along the major Camino routes. I suggest that everyone simply follow the established rules and conditions and not try to wreck this convenient system, for others.
Hope this helps.
Or, at least pay the 5 - 10€ that the bed would cost.If you send the bag, you are saying, I am staying there. If you do this, DO IT. Please, for the goodf of all who follow.
Ah yes, I can quite understand if the arrangement is made through the hospitalero a booking for the night is necessary, and to pick up one's bag at the drop off point and continue on (unless one pays for the night's lodging) would be most awkward, rude and inconsiderate. However, I don't think it is necessary to involve the hospitalero in the pack-forwarding process. I believe Jacotrans - I'm speaking of the CF as that's where I walked - leaves their envelopes and tags at the albergue reception for use by pilgrims. The pilgrims can phone Jacotrans themselves, put their money in the envelope with the forwarding address, and leave their packs with firmly attached envelopes at the front of the albergue (or wherever the hospitalero may advise) for pick up by Jacotrans. In fact Jacotrans, upon delivery of your pack, will leave an empty envelope for your use the next time. As I said, I am speaking of Jacotrans here on the CF; I don't know about those routes where the transportation is done by individual operators. That might be something else entirely.
Could it be that an albergue would accept delivery of someone's pack in the hope that, upon arrival, the pilgrim will want to stay the night there.
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