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Short answer:Does anybody else find Roncesvalles an unwelcoming place?
I find Roncesvalles a mystical and wonderful place. I've stayed there twice and sometimes I think of going back and staying there for a few days, without camino walking.
From their website: Sinds 2003 heeft het Klooster/'La Colegiata' de opvang van pelgrims grotendeels uit handen gegeven en ons, leden van het NGSJ gevraagd als vrijwilliger 'hospitalero'/gastheer of gastvrouw, op te treden.I don't recall that the Dutch association was running the albergue ten years ago. I thought it was still being run by the brothers.
Dutch people can be quite blunt.
It is very hard to get to the bottom of what we mean.on a cultural level we're not always accurate
I thought a bit about this and, you know, I'm actually with you on this. I've put quite a few 1 € coins into grey boxes in churches along the Camino Frances so it's nothing unusual. But it was usually to put the spotlight on a retablo or a specific painting and I was grateful for being able to see details I could not see otherwise and at that moment in time I was interested in the artwork or iconography as such. But I don't recall anything like this in the Church of Roncesvalles so if it's just to illuminate the building ... ?I then decided to go see the old church, and the first thing you see is: "Insert a 1 euro coin to light up the church for 8 minutes". That was the straw that broke the camel's back.
Does anybody else find Roncesvalles one of the unfriendliest places in the whole Camino, or it is only me?
10 years ago, when I first got there, it was nearly snowing and my phone got wet, was not able to contact my family, and then some pilgrim lent me a mobile so that I could quickly ring. It was approximately 9:59 pm, and the albergue was closing at 10:00. I was standing by the main door trying to ring when a Dutch volunteer approached me and told me the albergue was closing at 10:00. I explained him the situation, I just needed a few seconds, say hi, I am fine, and I would be finished. But the Dutch volunteer was standing holding the entrance door, with a massive frown on his face, staring at his wristwatch just inches from his angry face as if counting the seconds for closing.
So, I was not able to ring my family because he was determined to close the albergue whatsoever.
From that moment on, and after having an awful meal in the only bar there, I decided Roncesvalles was not for me.
10 years later, 2 weeks ago, I went back to Roncesvalles, this time I was walking from SJPP. I needed to use the toilette, so I went to the albergue, and the receptionist told me I needed to fill out a form with all my personal data in order to use the toilettes. I was not very impressed and left on the spot (fill out a form to use the toilette????).
I then decided to go see the old church, and the first thing you see is: "Insert a 1 euro coin to light up the church for 8 minutes".
That was the straw that broke the camel's back, as you say in English: I decided Roncesvalles was definitely not for me, and I walked onto Zubiri, an epic stage, far away from such unfriendly place.
Does anybody else find Roncesvalles an unwelcoming place?
I don't recall that the Dutch association was running the albergue ten years ago. I thought it was still being run by the brothers.
The owner of the Roncesvalles albergue is also the owner of the Casa Sabina.The only aspect that I find slightly odd is that the albergue sells tickets for a specific restaurant -I suppose it has some kind of agreement. And to be true, the Casa Sabina dinner is not particularly memorable -but hey, I don't mind, I enjoy the company.
You can choose between three restaurants: Casa Sabina, La Posada and the restaurant in the hotel.The only aspect that I find slightly odd is that the albergue sells tickets for a specific restaurant -I suppose it has some kind of agreement. And to be true, the Casa Sabina dinner is not particularly memorable -but hey, I don't mind, I enjoy the company.
You can choose between three restaurants: Casa Sabina, La Posada and the restaurant in the hotel.
Most of the time we do not ask people which restaurant they prefer, because upon arrival they do not even know where the restaurants are, but if you have a favourite restaurant you can ask for a ticket for that particular restaurant. All restaurants/hotels belong to the Colegiata; the quality of the food depends on the cook. One year Casa Sabina is better, the other year La Posada is better. For us hospitaleros it is every year a surprise which restaurant is better ;-)
The restaurant of the Hotel Roncesvalles! I think the albergue hospitaleros sell only tickets for Casa Sabina and La Posada but you are free to go to the Hotel Roncesvalles in the evening because they do not only cater for hotel guests. I'm not sure about whether their breakfast buffet is open to external visitors, I somehow doubt it as it is served in a fairly small area. I really loved it.Thanks, that's really useful info. We clearly need a "what restaurant is best right now" thread.
No, we also sell tickets for the pilgrim's dinner and for the breakfast in the hotel. As for the breakfast it depends on which breakfast you choose: there are tickets for the € 3,50 breakfast at Casa Sabina and at the hotel, and tickets for the € 5,00 breakfast at La Posada. So it's all up to you!The restaurant of the Hotel Roncesvalles! I think the albergue hospitaleros sell only tickets for Casa Sabina and La Posada but you are free to go to the Hotel Roncesvalles in the evening because they do not only cater for hotel guests. I'm not sure about whether their breakfast buffet is open to external visitors, I somehow doubt it. I really loved it.
That's certainly good to know as I understand that breakfast in Roncesvalles is or used to be a miserable affair for many pilgrims. And a ticket for 3,50 € at the Hotel Roncesvalles sounds like a super affair as hotel guests have to pay 10 € for their Desayuno Buffet, according to their prices on their current website.No, we also sell tickets for the pilgrim's dinner and for the breakfast in the hotel. As for the breakfast it depends on which breakfast you choose: there are tickets for the € 3,50 breakfast at Casa Sabina and at the hotel, and tickets for the € 5,00 breakfast at La Posada. So it's all up to you!
This is good information. Thanks for the insights.No, we also sell tickets for the pilgrim's dinner and for the breakfast in the hotel. As for the breakfast it depends on which breakfast you choose: there are tickets for the € 3,50 breakfast at Casa Sabina and at the hotel, and tickets for the € 5,00 breakfast at La Posada. So it's all up to you!
The pilgrims breakfast is NOT the buffet breakfast! If I remember well, it consists of coffee/tea, orange juice, some slices toasted bread and some jam.That's certainly good to know as I understand that breakfast in Roncesvalles is or used to be a miserable affair for many pilgrims. And a ticket for 3,50 € sounds like a super affair as guests at the Hotel Roncesvalles have to pay 10 € for their Desayuno Buffet, according to their prices on their current website.
And as far as using the toilets, I'm GLAD they asked you to fill out paperwork
This is great to know. I’ll be that pilgrim walking in the “late winter starlight” this coming February. I will have my head torch.In nearby Burguete there is only one church, next to it is a small plaza and at the back of the plaza a GREAT cafe/bar which is open early every morning and very pilgrim friendly. Within their complex is the local fronton court.
I have always stopped here on my way down from Roncesvalles usually before dawn in late winter starlight If is still dark as you leave Roncesvalles be sure to wear or carry your head torch.
haha! come on, Annie, honestly, you cannot be serious!!! I just went to the toilette in Casa Sabina, had a cool beer, and moved on. No paperwork. No hassle. There is only another town where I have been treated rudely, in Redecilla del Camino, for the rest of towns I have walked through in my caminos (hundreds), I can only have kind words.
Yes Amancioand thanks a lot to you too, @Ianinam! Looking forward to giving it another go!
Someone reading this thread may appreciate this information. Sheesh...Thanks, that's really useful info. We clearly need a "what restaurant is best right now" thread.
To my surprise the Italians who were bedded near me all went to shower wearing thick terry robes. It was hard to imagine these carried in any knapsack since they would be bulky and heavy.
So true .The Dutch can be blunt but you at least know where you stand
Peter, if i wore a hat, I would take it off to you! You are a gentleman.So true .
Shit hapens.Does anybody else find Roncesvalles one of the unfriendliest places in the whole Camino, or it is only me?
10 years ago, when I first got there, it was nearly snowing and my phone got wet, was not able to contact my family, and then some pilgrim lent me a mobile so that I could quickly ring. It was approximately 9:59 pm, and the albergue was closing at 10:00. I was standing by the main door trying to ring when a Dutch volunteer approached me and told me the albergue was closing at 10:00. I explained him the situation, I just needed a few seconds, say hi, I am fine, and I would be finished. But the Dutch volunteer was standing holding the entrance door, with a massive frown on his face, staring at his wristwatch just inches from his angry face as if counting the seconds for closing.
So, I was not able to ring my family because he was determined to close the albergue whatsoever.
From that moment on, and after having an awful meal in the only bar there, I decided Roncesvalles was not for me.
10 years later, 2 weeks ago, I went back to Roncesvalles, this time I was walking from SJPP. I needed to use the toilette, so I went to the albergue, and the receptionist told me I needed to fill out a form with all my personal data in order to use the toilettes. I was not very impressed and left on the spot (fill out a form to use the toilette????).
I then decided to go see the old church, and the first thing you see is: "Insert a 1 euro coin to light up the church for 8 minutes".
That was the straw that broke the camel's back, as you say in English: I decided Roncesvalles was definitely not for me, and I walked onto Zubiri, an epic stage, far away from such unfriendly place.
Does anybody else find Roncesvalles an unwelcoming place?
The "monster dormitory" that sleeps about 110 people in one room was the overflow albergue when I last went through, and because the newer and modern albergue at the church was full, I remember climbing into the top bunk in the old albergue in utter darkness at about 10:01 pm!Dutch people can be quite blunt. But I like them. I do remember the monster dormitory, but I gather this is gone now.
I think that bedroom was absolutely amazing, the best of the whole place, indeed! it was nearly snowing outside, but it felt warm in there.
You were lucky I got 'wake up little Suzie' - great!!!!No, I enjoyed my stay there, wakened in the morning by a group of hospitaleros singing "Morning has Broken" accompanied by a guitar. Having worked as a hospitalero as well, from 06:00 to 22:00 I can see both sides of the story.
Does anybody else find Roncesvalles one of the unfriendliest places in the whole Camino, or it is only me?
10 years ago, when I first got there, it was nearly snowing and my phone got wet, was not able to contact my family, and then some pilgrim lent me a mobile so that I could quickly ring. It was approximately 9:59 pm, and the albergue was closing at 10:00. I was standing by the main door trying to ring when a Dutch volunteer approached me and told me the albergue was closing at 10:00. I explained him the situation, I just needed a few seconds, say hi, I am fine, and I would be finished. But the Dutch volunteer was standing holding the entrance door, with a massive frown on his face, staring at his wristwatch just inches from his angry face as if counting the seconds for closing.
So, I was not able to ring my family because he was determined to close the albergue whatsoever.
From that moment on, and after having an awful meal in the only bar there, I decided Roncesvalles was not for me.
10 years later, 2 weeks ago, I went back to Roncesvalles, this time I was walking from SJPP. I needed to use the toilette, so I went to the albergue, and the receptionist told me I needed to fill out a form with all my personal data in order to use the toilettes. I was not very impressed and left on the spot (fill out a form to use the toilette????).
I then decided to go see the old church, and the first thing you see is: "Insert a 1 euro coin to light up the church for 8 minutes".
That was the straw that broke the camel's back, as you say in English: I decided Roncesvalles was definitely not for me, and I walked onto Zubiri, an epic stage, far away from such unfriendly place.
Does anybody else find Roncesvalles an unwelcoming place?
Stayed in the hotel next door; wonderful.Does anybody else find Roncesvalles one of the unfriendliest places in the whole Camino, or it is only me?
10 years ago, when I first got there, it was nearly snowing and my phone got wet, was not able to contact my family, and then some pilgrim lent me a mobile so that I could quickly ring. It was approximately 9:59 pm, and the albergue was closing at 10:00. I was standing by the main door trying to ring when a Dutch volunteer approached me and told me the albergue was closing at 10:00. I explained him the situation, I just needed a few seconds, say hi, I am fine, and I would be finished. But the Dutch volunteer was standing holding the entrance door, with a massive frown on his face, staring at his wristwatch just inches from his angry face as if counting the seconds for closing.
So, I was not able to ring my family because he was determined to close the albergue whatsoever.
From that moment on, and after having an awful meal in the only bar there, I decided Roncesvalles was not for me.
10 years later, 2 weeks ago, I went back to Roncesvalles, this time I was walking from SJPP. I needed to use the toilette, so I went to the albergue, and the receptionist told me I needed to fill out a form with all my personal data in order to use the toilettes. I was not very impressed and left on the spot (fill out a form to use the toilette????).
I then decided to go see the old church, and the first thing you see is: "Insert a 1 euro coin to light up the church for 8 minutes".
That was the straw that broke the camel's back, as you say in English: I decided Roncesvalles was definitely not for me, and I walked onto Zubiri, an epic stage, far away from such unfriendly place.
Does anybody else find Roncesvalles an unwelcoming place?
Room? You were lucky. There were 160 of us living in a shoebox in the middle of the road....When we old-timers start to recall the good old days it all sounds very familiar
View attachment 47045
The hospitaleros do not live in Spain. Except one hospitalera who lives in Spain, we all travel from the Netherlands for our yearly two-weeks job.Then, the Dutch of Roncesvalles must be happy living in Navarra where the people are also very direct. But they definetely would often get angry living in Galicia where the locals are the least direct of Spain (and probably of Europe).
Please, all Dutch hospitaleros: your contribution to the Camino experience is priceless. Thank you. Same message to every hospitalera/o!The hospitaleros do not live in Spain. Except one hospitalera who lives in Spain, we all travel from the Netherlands for our yearly two-weeks job.
Perhaps you are a reincarnated member of Roland and Oliver’s rear guard and doomed to have bad experiences at Roncesvalles.and thanks a lot to you too, @Ianinam! Looking forward to giving it another go!
Does anybody else find Roncesvalles one of the unfriendliest places in the whole Camino, or it is only me?
10 years ago, when I first got there, it was nearly snowing and my phone got wet, was not able to contact my family, and then some pilgrim lent me a mobile so that I could quickly ring. It was approximately 9:59 pm, and the albergue was closing at 10:00. I was standing by the main door trying to ring when a Dutch volunteer approached me and told me the albergue was closing at 10:00. I explained him the situation, I just needed a few seconds, say hi, I am fine, and I would be finished. But the Dutch volunteer was standing holding the entrance door, with a massive frown on his face, staring at his wristwatch just inches from his angry face as if counting the seconds for closing.
So, I was not able to ring my family because he was determined to close the albergue whatsoever.
From that moment on, and after having an awful meal in the only bar there, I decided Roncesvalles was not for me.
10 years later, 2 weeks ago, I went back to Roncesvalles, this time I was walking from SJPP. I needed to use the toilette, so I went to the albergue, and the receptionist told me I needed to fill out a form with all my personal data in order to use the toilettes. I was not very impressed and left on the spot (fill out a form to use the toilette????).
I then decided to go see the old church, and the first thing you see is: "Insert a 1 euro coin to light up the church for 8 minutes".
That was the straw that broke the camel's back, as you say in English: I decided Roncesvalles was definitely not for me, and I walked onto Zubiri, an epic stage, far away from such unfriendly place.
Does anybody else find Roncesvalles an unwelcoming place?
Similar experience. They were definitely less friendly than other hospitaleros. On my 2nd camino I’d had a hellish & exhausting snowy trek from SJPP the day before. Got a good night’s sleep & at 7:45am I was fully dressed & just putting the finishing touches on my pack when the hospitalero came by and told me it was time to leave, I pointed to my watch and said I had 15 more minutes! He gave me a disapproving look and gestures to hurry up. I didn’t appreciate getting the bum’s rush. Maybe understandable if I was still in my jammies, but I was clearly just about ready to leave. I left feeling resentful and irritated, and guilty even though I had done nothing wrong. It took a while to shake off the bad vibe.I hate having gripes etc but when I stayed in the Alberge here I didn't like it. They were pretty cold, unfriendly and rude. I decided not to join the early 5-6am rush out the door in the morning. Check out was 8and plenty enough time for me to head off. The volenteers woke us at 6am(lights on, singing) I stayed in my bunk and at 10 to 7 I was approched by a volenteer. He told me It was late and I needed to get up and out. I was quite stunned?! I paid for a bed not to be told when to get up and start walking, that was entirely up to me. I'm a grown woman in my 30s!!!!!! Cheers dudes but totally out of order and rude, didnt experience this in any other Alberge from SJPDP to Finisterre!!
Does anybody else find Roncesvalles one of the unfriendliest places in the whole Camino, or it is only me?
10 years ago, when I first got there, it was nearly snowing and my phone got wet, was not able to contact my family, and then some pilgrim lent me a mobile so that I could quickly ring. It was approximately 9:59 pm, and the albergue was closing at 10:00. I was standing by the main door trying to ring when a Dutch volunteer approached me and told me the albergue was closing at 10:00. I explained him the situation, I just needed a few seconds, say hi, I am fine, and I would be finished. But the Dutch volunteer was standing holding the entrance door, with a massive frown on his face, staring at his wristwatch just inches from his angry face as if counting the seconds for closing.
So, I was not able to ring my family because he was determined to close the albergue whatsoever.
From that moment on, and after having an awful meal in the only bar there, I decided Roncesvalles was not for me.
10 years later, 2 weeks ago, I went back to Roncesvalles, this time I was walking from SJPP. I needed to use the toilette, so I went to the albergue, and the receptionist told me I needed to fill out a form with all my personal data in order to use the toilettes. I was not very impressed and left on the spot (fill out a form to use the toilette????).
I then decided to go see the old church, and the first thing you see is: "Insert a 1 euro coin to light up the church for 8 minutes".
That was the straw that broke the camel's back, as you say in English: I decided Roncesvalles was definitely not for me, and I walked onto Zubiri, an epic stage, far away from such unfriendly place.
Does anybody else find Roncesvalles an unwelcoming place?
Does anybody else find Roncesvalles one of the unfriendliest places in the whole Camino, or it is only me?
10 years ago, when I first got there, it was nearly snowing and my phone got wet, was not able to contact my family, and then some pilgrim lent me a mobile so that I could quickly ring. It was approximately 9:59 pm, and the albergue was closing at 10:00. I was standing by the main door trying to ring when a Dutch volunteer approached me and told me the albergue was closing at 10:00. I explained him the situation, I just needed a few seconds, say hi, I am fine, and I would be finished. But the Dutch volunteer was standing holding the entrance door, with a massive frown on his face, staring at his wristwatch just inches from his angry face as if counting the seconds for closing.
So, I was not able to ring my family because he was determined to close the albergue whatsoever.
From that moment on, and after having an awful meal in the only bar there, I decided Roncesvalles was not for me.
10 years later, 2 weeks ago, I went back to Roncesvalles, this time I was walking from SJPP. I needed to use the toilette, so I went to the albergue, and the receptionist told me I needed to fill out a form with all my personal data in order to use the toilettes. I was not very impressed and left on the spot (fill out a form to use the toilette????).
I then decided to go see the old church, and the first thing you see is: "Insert a 1 euro coin to light up the church for 8 minutes".
That was the straw that broke the camel's back, as you say in English: I decided Roncesvalles was definitely not for me, and I walked onto Zubiri, an epic stage, far away from such unfriendly place.
Does anybody else find Roncesvalles an unwelcoming place?
Oh, and the food?
To me, it's all about the same, having eaten at all of them.
Pilgrim food.
If I want something different, I taxi into the next village.
Although.............
The Menu del Dia at Casa Sabina was one of the best meals we had
Valcarlos is true Basque , friendly people who go out of their way , lovely accommodation away from the crowds and then the beautiful village of Burguete.Does anybody else find Roncesvalles one of the unfriendliest places in the whole Camino, or it is only me?
10 years ago, when I first got there, it was nearly snowing and my phone got wet, was not able to contact my family, and then some pilgrim lent me a mobile so that I could quickly ring. It was approximately 9:59 pm, and the albergue was closing at 10:00. I was standing by the main door trying to ring when a Dutch volunteer approached me and told me the albergue was closing at 10:00. I explained him the situation, I just needed a few seconds, say hi, I am fine, and I would be finished. But the Dutch volunteer was standing holding the entrance door, with a massive frown on his face, staring at his wristwatch just inches from his angry face as if counting the seconds for closing.
So, I was not able to ring my family because he was determined to close the albergue whatsoever.
From that moment on, and after having an awful meal in the only bar there, I decided Roncesvalles was not for me.
10 years later, 2 weeks ago, I went back to Roncesvalles, this time I was walking from SJPP. I needed to use the toilette, so I went to the albergue, and the receptionist told me I needed to fill out a form with all my personal data in order to use the toilettes. I was not very impressed and left on the spot (fill out a form to use the toilette????).
I then decided to go see the old church, and the first thing you see is: "Insert a 1 euro coin to light up the church for 8 minutes".
That was the straw that broke the camel's back, as you say in English: I decided Roncesvalles was definitely not for me, and I walked onto Zubiri, an epic stage, far away from such unfriendly place.
Does anybody else find Roncesvalles an unwelcoming place?
Your experience at Roncesvalles was 180º from mine. I have this observation. You mentioned 'albergue' repeatedly. When I started my pilgrimage in 1999 at Roncesvalles, I stayed in the monastery, which I considered a 'refugio.' I arrived late, was signed in, received my 'credencial" and went to the church for night prayers, then bed in a large dormitory. Woke up and started my 21 day hike to Santiago. I checked in with a very kindly older man. Could your experience possibly have something to do with the flood of people inundating the traditional resources of the 'hospitalrios" with demands of service and attention? I only hope that things might return to the traditional behavior that I experienced 20 years ago because I am walking it again next year.Does anybody else find Roncesvalles one of the unfriendliest places in the whole Camino, or it is only me?
10 years ago, when I first got there, it was nearly snowing and my phone got wet, was not able to contact my family, and then some pilgrim lent me a mobile so that I could quickly ring. It was approximately 9:59 pm, and the albergue was closing at 10:00. I was standing by the main door trying to ring when a Dutch volunteer approached me and told me the albergue was closing at 10:00. I explained him the situation, I just needed a few seconds, say hi, I am fine, and I would be finished. But the Dutch volunteer was standing holding the entrance door, with a massive frown on his face, staring at his wristwatch just inches from his angry face as if counting the seconds for closing.
So, I was not able to ring my family because he was determined to close the albergue whatsoever.
From that moment on, and after having an awful meal in the only bar there, I decided Roncesvalles was not for me.
10 years later, 2 weeks ago, I went back to Roncesvalles, this time I was walking from SJPP. I needed to use the toilette, so I went to the albergue, and the receptionist told me I needed to fill out a form with all my personal data in order to use the toilettes. I was not very impressed and left on the spot (fill out a form to use the toilette????).
I then decided to go see the old church, and the first thing you see is: "Insert a 1 euro coin to light up the church for 8 minutes".
That was the straw that broke the camel's back, as you say in English: I decided Roncesvalles was definitely not for me, and I walked onto Zubiri, an epic stage, far away from such unfriendly place.
Does anybody else find Roncesvalles an unwelcoming place?
Then you really should get out more
Then you really should get out more
My first Camino francés was only 6 years ago (2012) and indeed, I found very much has changed since! So, 20 years ago? Prepare yourself for a shockI only hope that things might return to the traditional behavior that I experienced 20 years ago because I am walking it again next year.
Right? lol!
Have you had the Menu del Dia there this year?
It was very good.
And Yes we do get out............a lot.
I was pulling your leg ever so slightly
No laughing matter!
I will have you know Sir, that food in our house is a very serious business
Yes. It wasn't bad. lol!Have you tried the Menu del Dia at Casa Sabina this year?
Indeed. I stand correctedYou may be pleased to know that I have been taking the business of provisions very seriously and this very evening a friend told me that he has found a source of genuine unopened 1990s green foil packs of "Biscuits Brown" for our walk through mid-Wales next year. That should do away with any need for toilet paper or a trowel for the whole six days
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