Emia
Member
Hi fellow pilgrims,
This might be complaining on a very low level, but...
It was very hot and I was extremely tired after a 30 km walk, so I decided to stay the last night in the albergue municipal in Monte do Gozo, in order to reach SdC fresh and relaxed the next morning. Mind you - not in the low season, but on May 31th 2019.
The pilgrim's monument was hidden behind red/white tape, so you really couldn't have a close look. The part that calls itself a "park" just consisted of some concrete tables and dito benches. The "plaza" was under construction - no bar, no mensa, no outdoor area to sit and enjoy the last night with other pilgrims. Maybe a couple of tables & chairs & parasols in front of the albergue could have saved the last evening, but... nothing, niente, nada. It was the most depressing and sad stay on my whole camino.
In general there wasn't any atmosphere at all, no joy, no connecting with other pilgrims... just a lot of abandoned concrete which reminded me of good old East-Germany. Put a closed fence around it and you could call it a prison. If that is the visiting card just in front of the "gate" to Santiago, it's a bl**dy disgrace.
Maybe they are preparing the area for the next holy year? But all those poor pilgrims will have to wait till 20121 for a little bit of joy & happiness (& drinks & food).
My advice: take a short break on Monte do Gozo and then push on to Santiago.
This might be complaining on a very low level, but...
It was very hot and I was extremely tired after a 30 km walk, so I decided to stay the last night in the albergue municipal in Monte do Gozo, in order to reach SdC fresh and relaxed the next morning. Mind you - not in the low season, but on May 31th 2019.
The pilgrim's monument was hidden behind red/white tape, so you really couldn't have a close look. The part that calls itself a "park" just consisted of some concrete tables and dito benches. The "plaza" was under construction - no bar, no mensa, no outdoor area to sit and enjoy the last night with other pilgrims. Maybe a couple of tables & chairs & parasols in front of the albergue could have saved the last evening, but... nothing, niente, nada. It was the most depressing and sad stay on my whole camino.
In general there wasn't any atmosphere at all, no joy, no connecting with other pilgrims... just a lot of abandoned concrete which reminded me of good old East-Germany. Put a closed fence around it and you could call it a prison. If that is the visiting card just in front of the "gate" to Santiago, it's a bl**dy disgrace.
Maybe they are preparing the area for the next holy year? But all those poor pilgrims will have to wait till 20121 for a little bit of joy & happiness (& drinks & food).
My advice: take a short break on Monte do Gozo and then push on to Santiago.