I have not used WhatsApp before. I am trying to see if a bed is available on requested date. I used the WhatsApp helper function to translate my request automatically. I sent the request - how do you know if the request went through? I have tried adding albergue to contact list and without. I looked at chat history and nothing is listed. Any help would be appreciated.
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Reserving bunk bed with Whatsapp
- Thread starter nchiker
- Start date
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- Tags
- phones/apps/gps/maps
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
- Time of past OR future Camino
- CF Spring 2022
CP Spring 2024
The message you sent might have gone through, but that's not a guarantee that it was actually read by anyone at the albergue you sent it to - not all places use WhatsApp to check messages. If you haven't heard back in a couple of days, I'd try finding an email address on the albergue's website and resending your request that way. (Of course, calling is the most direct way to make a reservation - but if you don't speak Spanish that might not be the best option. And there's always Booking.com, though most places will appreciate booking with them directly.)
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2012
Which Albergue?
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.
€46,-
€46,-
San Nicolas Hostel in Larrasona. Bed reservation successful. Went thru WhatsApp without using helper.
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Most years since 2012
What is this "helper"? I don't see it as part of my WhatsApp app.
I googled it and there seems to be another app (not part of the actual WhatsApp) that allows one to not save the contact, but I couldn't find any useful review of the app that indicates if it is a good thing to use.
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
The Wise Pilgrim Camino Frances app has an option to use WhatsApp helper when communicating with an albergue for reservations. If you select legend when first open WPCF app, details are given for WhatsApp and WhatsApp helper. I don’t know if it was written into their app- I am currently new to using WhatsApp.
Example:
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- Most years since 2012
That's interesting. Thanks!
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The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Gerard Griffin
Active Member
WhatsApp is an essential app for the Camino ... Especially for keeping in touch with all the new friends you're going to make while walking. Don't leave home without it, so to speak.
Hans-Georg Goebel
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- all big ones
all numbers starting wih a 6 are mobilepfone numbers, I put interesting number to my contact list and maybe 70% of them using whatsapp
marianbradley
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Mid February 2023
WhatsApp provides feedback under your message. If there is a gray check that means your phone has sent it (if there is a clock it means it didn’t have Wi-Fi to send) a second gray check means the receiver has received the message on their phone, when both little checks go blue then the recipient has read the message.
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Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.
€83,-
€83,-
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Sept-Nov 2022 CF
I could never get the helper function to work.
Instead I typed my question in English, then translated to Spanish with Google Translate.
I cut-n-pasted the Spanish into my WhatsApp message below my English text. The Albergue/Hostel received both versions of my request.
That always worked for me.
Except if you set your WhatsApp so that 2 blue ticks don't appear (even if read). Yeah, that's an option. I know cause both my children have done this which drives me at times nuts
- Time of past OR future Camino
- since 2011 …
I use What’s App all the time. had no idea that was possible. DeviousExcept if you set your WhatsApp so that 2 blue ticks don't appear (even if read). Yeah, that's an option. I know cause both my children have done this which drives me at times nuts
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
mazzarina
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- CF (partial) '05
Primitivo 19
Portugues 22
My kids' worst term of opprobium for someone is 'He/she's left me on read'. For that generation, apparently it's very rude to read your WhatsApp message (which the sender knows you've read) but not to reply straightaway.
This phrase confuses the heck out of me because what I hear them saying is 'He's left me on red'. But, as @kayagee66 says, the ticks go blue, so surely it should be 'He's left me on blue'. This is usually the point when my kids throw something at me
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Past: a few
Last: Sanabres
Next: St Olav's Way
The helper, in this case, appears to be a WisePilgrim function. It creates a message requesting confirmation of the availability of one or more beds on a specific date, and confirming a reservation if one is available, and passes that to WhatsApp in Spanish or Portuguese. Once you are in WhatsApp, you can review the message and then send it. This tool is only available when you have opened up the details of a particular property, and presumably is only active if they are using WhatsApp. It seems to be available for properties on all the different routes.
You need to do a long press on the selection bar to open the helper. A short press takes you straight to WhatsApp.
As you described, I was trying to use the helper- opened up on a specific albergue shown to use WhatsApp- put in my info - reviewed and submitted but it never appeared in my chat list. However when I directly used WhatsApp and put in my own translation and submitted it, then it appeared in my chat list and gave me the check marks it had been received and read. It’s all a learning experience. Thanks to everyone who has provided comments.
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
WGroleau
Wandering Weirdo aka 伟思礼
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2015–2018 (partial)
I enjoyed WhatsApp until Facebook bought it and obtained the phone number they had been begging me to give them for years. But as for albergues¹, some make reservations by WhatsApp, some by phone, some by internet, and and many by nothing (no reservations). Ours didn't for years, after realizing that we had turned away too many pilgrims and then had the reservation maker never arrive. Recently, we tried a compromise: accept reservations for a small percentage of beds, and tell them the reservation will be canceled if they don't arrive before three (or some similar time—I'm not there now and don't remember exactly)
¹I've used that word hundreds of times, maybe thousands, but my computer STILL tries to change it to "allergies" every time!
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