Pensions, Hotels - Solo Woman

BalmainGirl · May 29, 2017

Hi,

When I start my Camino in a couple of weeks, I was planning on staying in hotels & pensions more than the Albergues - purely because I am a terrible sleeper even in normal life, so I think the Albergues would be a challenge for me. I am a bit nervous about walking on my own and obviously the largest groups of Pilgrims will leave from the Albergues every morning. If I still leave at the most popular time will I still meet people to walk with ?

C clearly · May 29, 2017

I suggest that you stay in albergues a few times, particularly at the start of the Camino, as that will give a good introduction. At other times, you might need to make the first gesture to other pilgrims at breakfast, rest stops or dinners. If you start the conversation, you should have no problem.

Mike Savage · May 29, 2017

BalmainGirl said:
Hi,

When I start my Camino in a couple of weeks, I was planning on staying in hotels & pensions more than the Albergues - purely because I am a terrible sleeper even in normal life, so I think the Albergues would be a challenge for me. I am a bit nervous about walking on my own and obviously the largest groups of Pilgrims will leave from the Albergues every morning. If I still leave at the most popular time will I still meet people to walk with ?

You almost certainly will have people to walk with. Some will have started earlier than you but maybe from a town or two before you so they will be on the same spot on the trail that you are on. It seemed like every day that I met people who had started from a different location than I had but there we were together on the trail.

Buen Camino!

Peter Fransiscus · May 29, 2017

BalmainGirl said:
Hi,

When I start my Camino in a couple of weeks, I was planning on staying in hotels & pensions more than the Albergues - purely because I am a terrible sleeper even in normal life, so I think the Albergues would be a challenge for me. I am a bit nervous about walking on my own and obviously the largest groups of Pilgrims will leave from the Albergues every morning. If I still leave at the most popular time will I still meet people to walk with ?

Hi, you will meet plenty of other pilgrims along the way and some times maybe more than you want.
Wish you a wonderful time and a Buen Camino,Peter.

Paddington Bear · May 29, 2017

We only walked from Sarria so this may differ from a SJPDP start but people tended to leave their accommodation on the hour and 1/2 hour. So waves came through.

At the first breakfast stop after any town hoards collected. At the second breakfast stop things were calmer. We didn't always stay at Brieley stops but still, the same people would meet accidentally at the second breakfast stop every day.

Annie Little · May 29, 2017

You will definitely meet people to walk with . Also if you are staying in hotels , others will be too. You can also wait outside the albergue early morning if looking for someone to walk with .

Try not to fret too much . It all works out

Ultreia

BalmainGirl · May 29, 2017

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions and support..................

SYates · May 29, 2017

If you are on Facebook, there is also the Camigas Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/CaminoBuddySystemForWomen/ Perhaps you find somebody there? Buen Camino, SY

Rebekah Scott · May 30, 2017

The Camino is a pilgrimage, it's meant to stretch your limits and challenge you... and it will, whether you want it to or not. Just roll with it. Resistance is futile!

Maple Leaf Walker · May 30, 2017

I can't pretend to be able to give advice about the specific worries of being a single female on Camino. But I can share something that's at least worked for me.

I try to divide my thinking between what I know is true, versus what I feel is true.

Thus: Being a hard sleeper could be a fact, but the notion of having a hard time in an albergue is a belief. And beliefs are worth testing. Being separated from others daily could be a fact, but the notion that they wouldn't wait up and instead move on without you is a belief.

I try to focus only on what's in my control: accepting facts and challenging beliefs. I emphasize the word try. I'm not always successful.

trecile · May 30, 2017

@BalmainGirl I just wanted to point out that many albergues have private rooms, so you can stay in albergues and still have your own sleeping room.

I was also concerned about sleeping in dorms, but after walking 25 km sleeping was generally not a problem.

Annie Little · May 30, 2017

trecile said:
@BalmainGirl I just wanted to point out that many albergues have private rooms, so you can stay in albergues and still have your own sleeping room.

I was also concerned about sleeping in dorms, but after walking 25 km sleeping was generally not a problem.

I wondered about this last year but people told me they generally prefer to give private rooms to couples or families not singles ..... I have no idea if that is true or not ....

trecile · May 30, 2017

Annie Little said:
I wondered about this last year but people told me they generally prefer to give private rooms to couples or families not singles ..... I have no idea if that is true or not ....

Sometimes they have single rooms. If you take a double room you pay the price for a couple.

notion900 · Jun 1, 2017

Annie Little said:
I wondered about this last year but people told me they generally prefer to give private rooms to couples or families not singles ..... I have no idea if that is true or not ....

If you team up with any other person you can usually get a twin room. Lots of people find someone to share with as they go along.

Richard A Stead · Jun 3, 2017

C

C clearly said:
I suggest that you stay in albergues a few times, particularly at the start of the Camino, as that will give a good introduction. At other times, you might need to make the first gesture to other pilgrims at breakfast, rest stops or dinners. If you start the conversation, you should have no problem.[/QUOTE

Richard A Stead · Jun 3, 2017

BalmainGirl said:
Hi,

When I start my Camino in a couple of weeks, I was planning on staying in hotels & pensions more than the Albergues - purely because I am a terrible sleeper even in normal life, so I think the Albergues would be a challenge for me. I am a bit nervous about walking on my own and obviously the largest groups of Pilgrims will leave from the Albergues every morning. If I still leave at the most popular time will I still meet people to walk with ?

Compromise. Stay in Albergues that have private rooms whenever you can and have the communal meal. If you meet a group who are staying in Albergues that don't and want to walk with them the next day just explain and arrange to meet in the morning. Easy really and I had no problems doing this last year.

Marla in CA · Sep 9, 2019

BalmainGirl said:
Hi,

When I start my Camino in a couple of weeks, I was planning on staying in hotels & pensions more than the Albergues - purely because I am a terrible sleeper even in normal life, so I think the Albergues would be a challenge for me. I am a bit nervous about walking on my own and obviously the largest groups of Pilgrims will leave from the Albergues every morning. If I still leave at the most popular time will I still meet people to walk with ?

So BalmainGirl, I am wondering if it all worked out? I will likely be staying at hotels along the way as I feel I need a private room due to sleeping issues also. I never thought it would be a problem meeting people, but your post has now put the idea in my head! I am leaving one week from today! Can't wait!

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