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Incipia, glad to hear you enjoyed your overall Camino experience but sorry to hear of your accommodation woes.
I feel your pain. A 4am rise was the record I saw this year on the Francés! I generally found that once one person got up then there would pretty much be continuous activity from that point onwards and attempts at further sleep would be futile. Now some people will doubtless say 'get a private room' - as you felt you had to - but that's not really the solution**. ALL on the Camino should be entitled to enjoy the positive (IMO, on balance, despite the negatives) experience that community sleeping brings.
I think on some occasions, there are very good reasons for being up and about early, e.g., to avoid walking in the heat of the day (though there is of course another solution to that) or to see some of the fantastic sunrises, however, in general I also think that people rising early then leads to everyone else also rising early such that the 'race for beds' ends up being earlier than is necessary! An obviously daft example.... if everyone agreed to get up at 07:30 then the race for beds would still be there but at least it would be offset to a more reasonable hour!
All we can really hope for is that people try to be as considerate as they possibly can be - both through preparation the evening before and attempts to get up and out quietly. Some will endeavour and will achieve this, some will endeavour and won't; often with actually quite comical results (but at least they tried), some will not make much effort at all. That's just how people are. Thankfully there are few of the third type.
[As a measure of the early rising 'problem': we were always amongst the last (on many occasions the last) to arise in a room. That would typically be at 06:15!!]
**Earplugs and eyemasks don't always hack it either.
So, if everyone does it your way, there will be harmony?if everyone agreed to get up at 07:30 then the race for beds would still be there but at least it would be offset to a more reasonable hour!
I've just (end of last month) completed the Ingles, my first camino and was so delighted with it that I'm already planning to do another short camino next spring.
However, there was one aspect which surprised me, in a negative way. I'd opted for the Ingles because I'd heard it was much quieter than the last qualifying stretch of the Frances, but the albergues were much busier than expected and were often full by early afternoon. Some sort of 'race for beds' was going on, with a large proportion of people in the dormitories rising soon after five, and packing up before heading off into the night. They made some attempt to be quiet, but with powerful flashlights, mobile alarms and a general hustle it was impossible to sleep, so basically the whole dorm would have to wake early. A camino friend I walked with, much more experienced than I, said this didn't happen in albergues she'd been in on other routes, especially when there was a hospitalero in residence. And there was one piece of behaviour which really shocked me - during this early packing up period, the man in the bunk below me started doing what no respectable person ever does in public ...
The race for the beds made the Camino more stressful than it would otherwise have been, and I started taking pre-emptive action by booking private accommodation ahead. But on the Ingles the options for other accommodation are limited, especially in the middle stretch around Prosedo. Because of this this, I wouldn't do it again in high season.
There's a blog giving a fuller picture of my experience on my website if anyone's interested:
http://alexklaushofer.com/pilgrim-camino-santiago-compostela/
Congratulations upon completing your first Camino - or perhaps your Camino continues (?) I completed the Inglés, March-April, a comfortable seven day walk without the unfortunate 'rush' for beds that you experienced. When I completed the Francés last year, I had an unfortunate experience with an Italian in the bunk above mine - once I realised what he was up to! I cleared my throat once, loudly, and he abated. I would be concerned as to someone undertaking such activty in a communal room, and would even report them if possible. Such bravado may be a sign of further disturbing pubic behaviour along the Way. You will always find that we become 'one', a 'family' along the Way - and all the ups and downs that entails. Living daily in close proximity of fellow pilgrims reveals a lot about others - as well as ourselves, and at least you have a 'taster' for what to expect and deal with/savour/enjoy as your Camino continues. Buen Camio, best wishes. KeithI've just (end of last month) completed the Ingles, my first camino and was so delighted with it that I'm already planning to do another short camino next spring.
However, there was one aspect which surprised me, in a negative way. I'd opted for the Ingles because I'd heard it was much quieter than the last qualifying stretch of the Frances, but the albergues were much busier than expected and were often full by early afternoon. Some sort of 'race for beds' was going on, with a large proportion of people in the dormitories rising soon after five, and packing up before heading off into the night. They made some attempt to be quiet, but with powerful flashlights, mobile alarms and a general hustle it was impossible to sleep, so basically the whole dorm would have to wake early. A camino friend I walked with, much more experienced than I, said this didn't happen in albergues she'd been in on other routes, especially when there was a hospitalero in residence. And there was one piece of behaviour which really shocked me - during this early packing up period, the man in the bunk below me started doing what no respectable person ever does in public ...
The race for the beds made the Camino more stressful than it would otherwise have been, and I started taking pre-emptive action by booking private accommodation ahead. But on the Ingles the options for other accommodation are limited, especially in the middle stretch around Prosedo. Because of this this, I wouldn't do it again in high season.
There's a blog giving a fuller picture of my experience on my website if anyone's interested:
http://alexklaushofer.com/pilgrim-camino-santiago-compostela/
So, if everyone does it your way, there will be harmony?
And there was one piece of behaviour which really shocked me - during this early packing up period, the man in the bunk below me started doing what no respectable person ever does in public ...
Ah, the bed race....
I'm going to gently and diplomatically and oh-so-carefully allude to the gentleman in the bunk below you. Again, as an older person who has also worked with high school-age people (who often do those horribly inappropriate things in horribly inappropriate places--location, location, location!), I would have sharply said, "Stop that NOW!" but I do understand that the school teacher "bark" is not a tone that everyone adopts comfortably.
You've nailed it!!So, if everyone does it your way, there will be harmony?
There is only a small amount of that; most of the ire comes from differences in habits, choices, and opinion...negating the unacceptable behavior of course
There is only a small amount of that; most of the ire comes from differences in habits, choices, and opinion...
You've nailed it!!
I have walked during a heatwave in August and the only way to cover 25km was to leave at 4am. Its not a race in this case but hardy pilgrims that have completed their quota hours before you? We are all so different and most of us are not used to sharing - negating the unacceptable behavior of course.
Wouldn't that depend on who pilgrim N+1 was?I've a feeling Pilgrim 1 won't be that keen to be the first to sign in at the next alberque.
And there was one piece of behaviour which really shocked me - during this early packing up period, the man in the bunk below me started doing what no respectable person ever does in public ...
http://alexklaushofer.com/pilgrim-camino-santiago-compostela/
@martyseville, perhaps your expectations need to be updated to account for the reduced consideration for others that seems to be the new normal?What I expect, and actually entitled to, is respect.
I'm just suggesting that the early rising for the 'bed-race' is a self-propagating problem.
It's a good point, if early rising is connected to a bed race and sadly it tends to be, even on the French route back in 2004 this was an issue the closer you got to Santiago.Exactly. If everyone got up at six, then early risers want to beat the crowd would start getting up at 5. Then everyone else starts getting up at 5 and then early risers start getting up at 4. Then everyone else starts getting up at 4 and then early risers . . .
I have a solution. We should introduce bed sharing.
Undesirably saw/heard this on the way more then once... It's worth noting that you often walk long distances with the same pilgrims, and everyone gets a nick name based on their behaviour... So unless you want to be named and shamed for the rest of the trip a bit of self restraint is advised.This might also solve the problem mentioned by the OP of "the man in the bunk below me ... doing what no respectable person ever does in public". Two birds!
Undesirably saw/heard this on the way more then once...
The cow story is different from the other one, and technically "3-in-a-haystack" wasn't in an Alberuge at the time. Also not that young, I was almost impressed that hip ops and long days on the road hadn't exhausted them. But that's a whole other kind if forum so let's get back on thread.Bed bugs .... Zipper-jamming cow flop ... and now this. I need to review the entire brochure next time.
Catharsis is a great thing -- get it out of your system by sharing complaints. This forum is a perfect place to do that...
And yet the private hospiteros would prefer to be fully booked with non-refundable payment! If I were a betting man, I would bet the hospitaleros will get their wish first.I'd like to see an end to booking in communal dorms
I walked the Frances again this past spring and arrived in Zubiri during Holy Week. I walked over to the municipal albergue to show my son where I'd stayed two years earlier. It had been my only bad memory as it very old bunks, was rather dirty, and had large communal showers in another building. As we walked the property I noticed another large building behind and peeked inside. It was a gym and there were many mats on the floor with overflow pilgrims' sleeping bags and packs securing their spot. This was the only albergue with this option for overflow we saw. I was glad we'd made reservations to stay in the next village.My first Camino in May/June 2005 was also a bed race that I let make me nearly crazed; but I was never turned away from a full Albergue. Extra mattresses were put into patios, dining rooms, halls, and even bathrooms. I didn't even have to use the mat I had brought and carried. Leon Convent, Hornillos, OCerberio, and Samos were all on overflow for me as a slow walker. Other years I was in floor overflow at Tardajos, Ribidiso, Negeira, and Oliveiro.
So am I to gather from this thread that the old Albergue custom of mats on the floor and everywhere else they will fit has passed, and the 'completo' means move along to the next town?
And even 2005 there were the early risers racing for the next bed. I arrived in Castrojeriz about 1pm and was the 15-20 pack in the lineup.
In my 2016 Leon-SdC we made reservations and almost everywhere was full by 4pm.
On balance though, I think the bed resources have pretty well kept up with the increase in pilgrims. That's right in line with supply/demand economics.
I walked the Frances again this past spring and arrived in Zubiri during Holy Week. I walked over to the municipal albergue to show my son where I'd stayed two years earlier. It had been my only bad memory as it very old bunks, was rather dirty, and had large communal showers in another building. As we walked the property I noticed another large building behind and peeked inside. It was a gym and there were many mats on the floor with overflow pilgrims' sleeping bags and packs securing their spot. This was the only albergue with this option for overflow we saw. I was glad we'd made reservations to stay in the next village.
By the way, on our way out of Zubiri we passed a bus that was picking up pilgrims. It was jammed full and the holds underneath were crammed full with backpacks. It was 2:00pm and I wondered where the bus was taking all these pilgrims.
As hospitalero voluntario, most of the time I witnessed respect and kindness. One day, however, went to the opposite extreme. At opening time, when I went out to start checking pilgrims in, there were over twenty on the patio, fighting over who had been there first.unfortunetly on the caminos especially in the busy periods, bad manners and behaviour are rife.
Congratulations upon completing your first Camino - or perhaps your Camino continues (?) I completed the Inglés, March-April, a comfortable seven day walk without the unfortunate 'rush' for beds that you experienced. When I completed the Francés last year, I had an unfortunate experience with an Italian in the bunk above mine - once I realised what he was up to! I cleared my throat once, loudly, and he abated. I would be concerned as to someone undertaking such activty in a communal room, and would even report them if possible. Such bravado may be a sign of further disturbing pubic behaviour along the Way. You will always find that we become 'one', a 'family' along the Way - and all the ups and downs that entails. Living daily in close proximity of fellow pilgrims reveals a lot about others - as well as ourselves, and at least you have a 'taster' for what to expect and deal with/savour/enjoy as your Camino continues. Buen Camio, best wishes. Keith
My first Camino in May/June 2005 was also a bed race that I let make me nearly crazed; but I was never turned away from a full Albergue. Extra mattresses were put into patios, dining rooms, halls, and even bathrooms. I didn't even have to use the mat I had brought and carried. Leon Convent, Hornillos, OCerberio, and Samos were all on overflow for me as a slow walker. Other years I was in floor overflow at Tardajos, Ribidiso, Negeira, and Oliveiro.
So am I to gather from this thread that the old Albergue custom of mats on the floor and everywhere else they will fit has passed, and the 'completo' means move along to the next town?
And even 2005 there were the early risers racing for the next bed. I arrived in Castrojeriz about 1pm and was the 15-20 pack in the lineup.
In my 2016 Leon-SdC we made reservations and almost everywhere was full by 4pm.
On balance though, I think the bed resources have pretty well kept up with the increase in pilgrims. That's right in line with supply/demand economics.
There are places that don't accept reservations. I spent three or four months in one. When they opened (twenty years ago), they quickly found that reservations resulted in empty beds because people didn't show up. So they stopped letting folks reserve.And yet the private hospiteros would prefer to be fully booked with non-refundable payment! If I were a betting man, I would bet the hospitaleros will get their wish first.
On my spring Camino we started emailing the private owned albergues ahead in the morning due to the busyness of the trail. We were usually told to arrive by 4:00pm or they would not keep holding the beds knowing they would have no problem filling them after 4:00 with straggler pilgrims who were "winging it".I think that albergues that allow prebooking will have to have a strict rule that the pilgrim must arrive by XX:00 or their bed will be given away.
My approach was generally, "We open at one. There is currently no one waiting, but we tend to fill the last bed around five. No guarantees, but before three, the chances are good."I think that albergues that allow prebooking will have to have a strict rule that the pilgrim must arrive by XX:00 or their bed will be given away.
I assume that you do/did not take any reservations without prepayment from pilgrims calling or emailing. That's your perogative, but I certainly appreciated the establishments that did and I always followed through with my verbal commitment.My approach was generally, "We open at one. There is currently no one waiting, but we tend to fill the last bed around five. No guarantees, but before three, the chances are good."
Once an Italian fellow tried to check in seven other people besides himself. "Where are they?" "Not sure, but they'll be here soon." "Well, if they get here before we're full, they'll be in." They never showed up at all.
I have always started by mid April as I love watching spring unfold its beauty as I walk into late May. That said, I have definately seen the race for beds, especially this year as our start date coincided with Holy Week. We had to email ahead day by day to make sure we had a bed waiting for us end of day along much of the route.In April which is my preferred month to walk, there is no 'race for beds' or reservations required, but the pre-dawn is my favorite time of the day. Nothing better than starting shortly before sunrise and experiencing the transition from night to day. My best pictures of my Camino walks are always during the early dawn period. My wife and I because of our early departures always stay in Private rooms, so as not to disturb those that wish to sleep in.
We took no reservations at all. They did when they first opened twenty years ago but quickly found that results in empty beds and pilgrims appalled at having to do twelve kilometers more. If we were full, we did our best to help them out. Loan a pad for people to sleep in the frontón, call a taxi, show them the bus schedule, tell them about two other nearby albergues, etc. Once for an older woman, we "bent" the rules and put a mattress in the hallway.I assume that you do/did not take any reservations without prepayment from pilgrims calling or emailing. That's your perogative, but I certainly appreciated the establishments that did and I always followed through with my verbal commitment.
In April which is my preferred month to walk, there is no 'race for beds' or reservations required...
My experience in case of being late is that if you phone them an hour before the scheduled time for check in that's building up the trust. Once I was 4 hours late into the reserved albergue but the bed was still waiting for me because I've made three phone calls (every full hour) that I will be late. That's even easier now with no roaming charges in EU if you have Spanish SIM card of course.I assume that you do/did not take any reservations without prepayment from pilgrims calling or emailing. That's your perogative, but I certainly appreciated the establishments that did and I always followed through with my verbal commitment.
This sort of thing can't be uncommon and makes the camino difficult for women particularly, so I can't help wondering more couldn't be done to deter such behaviour.
I regret my blithe remarks about this "practice". What for me would be an absurd annoyance can no doubt seem justifiably threatening to others.
I assume calling the local police is an option in cases like this (and appropriate). What would likely happen were one to do that?
I experienced this "behavior" very late one night in an albergue at approximately 2-3 am. I can't imagine calling the police at that ungodly hour and it would have waken up those sleeping if police were to come. I just just lay awake and cringed. Also, as a side note, when I was age 19 on a Chicago subway/L train, a man sat next to me. I wondered why he did that as there was almost no one in that particular car. He tried discreetly to "misbehave". I was hemmed in and mortified, cringing and looking out the window pretending nothing was going on until thankfully the train stopped at my station. He jumped up and ran out, then ran back to the next car before it took off again.I regret my blithe remarks about this "practice". What for me would be an absurd annoyance can no doubt seem justifiably threatening to others.
I assume calling the local police is an option in cases like this (and appropriate). What would likely happen were one to do that?
In fact, before I read this, I was about to suggest: If you have a snartphone, tablet, or camera, take a photo to show to the hospitalero and the Guardia Civil.I regret my blithe remarks about this "practice". What for me would be an absurd annoyance can no doubt seem justifiably threatening to others.
I assume calling the local police is an option in cases like this (and appropriate). What would likely happen were one to do that?
Simply taking the pic should be a significant deterrent. It can potentially be shared far and wide with anyone, not just hospitaleros and fellow pilgrims.If you have a snartphone, tablet, or camera, take a photo to show to the hospitalero and the Guardia Civil.
Can I ask a question off the early risers. Do the albergues provide breakfast or do you sort it out yourself on the way, I'm thinking of the poor staff having to be there earlier and earlier
Some private albergues provide breakfast but most church and municipal albergues do not. Local bars are usually the best option for breakfast and many open very early in the morning during the peak walking season to cater for pilgrims.Can I ask a question off the early risers. Do the albergues provide breakfast or do you sort it out yourself on the way, I'm thinking of the poor staff having to be there earlier and earlier
Well, I think the Guardia Civil should be informed. They can provide more "deterrent" than mere public embarrassment. Besides, showing the photo to people in general seems to me akin to showing any other pornography to someone who may not want to see it.Simply taking the pic should be a significant deterrent. It can potentially be shared far and wide with anyone, not just hospitaleros and fellow pilgrims.
One albergue that provided a pretty good breakfast kept having people turn it down because they wanted to leave earlier. So they changed to offering a "bag of breakfast" the day before.I'd certainly be mortified if I felt my early rising meant hospitaleros were getting up earlier to prep breakfast etc.
Well, I think the Guardia Civil should be informed. They can provide more "deterrent" than mere public embarrassment. Besides, showing the photo to people in general seems to me akin to showing any other pornography to someone who may not want to see it.
As others have mentioned, each albergue is different. In one very small town on the Francés the hospitalero told us that the only bar in town would not be open when it was time to leave next morning, but that we could get a hot drink and something to eat from the 'breakfast machine' in the albergue. The next morning said machine was not working and, as we learned later, neither was the breakfast machine in the next tiny little village. We were very happy for our little stash of supplies in our packs on that very frosty morning.Can I ask a question off the early risers. Do the albergues provide breakfast or do you sort it out yourself on the way, I'm thinking of the poor staff having to be there earlier and earlier
AFAIK, Laurie's right.But I would be very surprised if this behavior constitutes a violation of any law in Spain. Based on my understanding of how Spain treats personal autonomy, it would require a female observer (unwilling as she may be) to establish that she felt threatened in her own personal autonomy by the behavior. That seems unlikely to be the case in the albergue situation described.
About the photography and sharing, I was actually (half) joking. The 'half' part is that I imagine that simply pulling a camera out - and saying that you're doing so - would pull the plug on any inappropriate behavior PDQ, which is the point. And then if possible talking to the person later, one on one, to (kindly but clearly) convey the distress that behavior causes others. They may just be in a deluded bubble, assuming that no-one is aware of what they're doing.One is very rude and inappropriate behaviour in one's bed, albeit in a dormitory. This could be reported to the hospitalero and other pilgrims. But I can't imagine trying to take a photo
We walked the Primitivo this May and by 1pm it was unbearably hot with temps in the 70s and 80s. We packed all our stuff the night before and all we had to do in the morning was grab our packs and sleeping bag and go to the common area. We finished getting dressed and packed our sleeping bag away there where we didn't disturb anyone. Quick trip to the bathroom to quietly brush teeth and take care of business and off we went around 6 or 6:30am. There was no "bed race". We just didn't want to sleep in until 7 and then have to walk in the heat of the day. We had to cover 25 km and with my plantar fasciitis I wasn't walking fast. Nobody ever complained and a few people wondered how we moved to stealthily. It's not hard to be considerate.Personally if I leave early I pack my bag and leave it outside the dorm. All I have to do is grab my sleeping back, money belt and phone. Then sneak out with socks on ...no flip flops
I pack my sleeping bag and get dressed as far away from the sleeping area as possible.
It's not hard to be considerate.
Hola!I've just (end of last month) completed the Ingles, my first camino and was so delighted with it that I'm already planning to do another short camino next spring.
However, there was one aspect which surprised me, in a negative way. I'd opted for the Ingles because I'd heard it was much quieter than the last qualifying stretch of the Frances, but the albergues were much busier than expected and were often full by early afternoon. Some sort of 'race for beds' was going on, with a large proportion of people in the dormitories rising soon after five, and packing up before heading off into the night. They made some attempt to be quiet, but with powerful flashlights, mobile alarms and a general hustle it was impossible to sleep, so basically the whole dorm would have to wake early. A camino friend I walked with, much more experienced than I, said this didn't happen in albergues she'd been in on other routes, especially when there was a hospitalero in residence. And there was one piece of behaviour which really shocked me - during this early packing up period, the man in the bunk below me started doing what no respectable person ever does in public ...
The race for the beds made the Camino more stressful than it would otherwise have been, and I started taking pre-emptive action by booking private accommodation ahead. But on the Ingles the options for other accommodation are limited, especially in the middle stretch around Prosedo. Because of this this, I wouldn't do it again in high season.
There's a blog giving a fuller picture of my experience on my website if anyone's interested:
http://alexklaushofer.com/pilgrim-camino-santiago-compostela/
Hi Jen,
The answer is quite simple: always have one or two small plastic bags with you, put your used paper sheets or tissues inside and throw everything in the next bin you meet...
Buen (clean) Camino, Jacques-D.
I've just (end of last month) completed the Ingles, my first camino and was so delighted with it that I'm already planning to do another short camino next spring.
However, there was one aspect which surprised me, in a negative way. I'd opted for the Ingles because I'd heard it was much quieter than the last qualifying stretch of the Frances, but the albergues were much busier than expected and were often full by early afternoon. Some sort of 'race for beds' was going on, with a large proportion of people in the dormitories rising soon after five, and packing up before heading off into the night. They made some attempt to be quiet, but with powerful flashlights, mobile alarms and a general hustle it was impossible to sleep, so basically the whole dorm would have to wake early. A camino friend I walked with, much more experienced than I, said this didn't happen in albergues she'd been in on other routes, especially when there was a hospitalero in residence. And there was one piece of behaviour which really shocked me - during this early packing up period, the man in the bunk below me started doing what no respectable person ever does in public ...
The race for the beds made the Camino more stressful than it would otherwise have been, and I started taking pre-emptive action by booking private accommodation ahead. But on the Ingles the options for other accommodation are limited, especially in the middle stretch around Prosedo. Because of this this, I wouldn't do it again in high season.
There's a blog giving a fuller picture of my experience on my website if anyone's interested:
http://alexklaushofer.com/pilgrim-camino-santiago-compostela/
That's amazing. I can hardly type this, hahahahahaha:These links are from a website that another forum member cited this morning. Amusing satire about what we've been talking about here, taking it all a lot less seriously.
http://www.caminotodaynews.com/arti...sed-after-violent-fight-for-last-albergue-bed
http://www.caminotodaynews.com/articles/french-pilgrim-evicted-from-albergue-for-mastubating-loudly
I have walked and biked Caminos. Over the years people get ruder and ruder. It is all about them. No consideration for others....
Yes, there are many many good polite walkers/bikers on the Camino. But seems to be a big increase of the rude ones in the last few years.
Not the Camino I walked first time in the 80s.
These links are from a website that another forum member cited this morning. Amusing satire about what we've been talking about here, taking it all a lot less seriously.
http://www.caminotodaynews.com/arti...sed-after-violent-fight-for-last-albergue-bed
http://www.caminotodaynews.com/articles/french-pilgrim-evicted-from-albergue-for-mastubating-loudly
Hilarious! Competition for the Onion and Babylon Bee.Amusing satire about what we've been talking about here, taking it all a lot less seriously.
http://www.caminotodaynews.com/arti...sed-after-violent-fight-for-last-albergue-bed
My wife and I would try to get out and be walking by 6:30. No bed race. We enjoy the quiet and the lighting up of a new day. Don't ascribe everything to a "bed race". Some people just like to walk early in solitude.I've just (end of last month) completed the Ingles, my first camino and was so delighted with it that I'm already planning to do another short camino next spring.
However, there was one aspect which surprised me, in a negative way. I'd opted for the Ingles because I'd heard it was much quieter than the last qualifying stretch of the Frances, but the albergues were much busier than expected and were often full by early afternoon. Some sort of 'race for beds' was going on, with a large proportion of people in the dormitories rising soon after five, and packing up before heading off into the night. They made some attempt to be quiet, but with powerful flashlights, mobile alarms and a general hustle it was impossible to sleep, so basically the whole dorm would have to wake early. A camino friend I walked with, much more experienced than I, said this didn't happen in albergues she'd been in on other routes, especially when there was a hospitalero in residence. And there was one piece of behaviour which really shocked me - during this early packing up period, the man in the bunk below me started doing what no respectable person ever does in public ...
The race for the beds made the Camino more stressful than it would otherwise have been, and I started taking pre-emptive action by booking private accommodation ahead. But on the Ingles the options for other accommodation are limited, especially in the middle stretch around Prosedo. Because of this this, I wouldn't do it again in high season.
There's a blog giving a fuller picture of my experience on my website if anyone's interested:
http://alexklaushofer.com/pilgrim-camino-santiago-compostela/
We have had threads, such as this one, pointing out that locking people inside is a serious hazard in case of fire, and the practice violates modern fire codes.I have stayed in backpacker hostels where they lock you in overnight. Perhaps some albergues should lock pilgrims in until daylight, whenever that is.
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