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Roncesvalles... is just not for me

Although.............
The Menu del Dia at Casa Sabina was one of the best meals we had ;)
You mob up there are not good judges on food Robo
 
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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.
I think you are in for a shock Roger
We have found big changes in the10 years , 20 should. be something still
I envy your 1990's Pilgrimage,
Have a wonderful return
 
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 totally agree with you. The food was the worst the entire walk so far. Maybe the pasta was supposed to go in the soup first course don't know but both were tasteless and when I til them I couldn't eat the fresh fries and asked for he goes it soup the guy just walked away. Although when he was serving the next table and saw my plate with just a tiny chicken leg on it as I had given the small portion of fries away he did geab it off the table and add some veggie salad.
Also the staff at the Albergue were cold and unhelpful.they made you uncomfortable if you asked for anything and some almost just ignored you. They couldn't wait to get away at closing with 4 or 5 of them sitting around for the last si they could escape.
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
I feel I have to put a word in favour of Roncesvalles. They did a great job accommodating the huge flow: the old part was full, the new part was full, they had set up a trailer park (I understand they later had to take it down for some or other reason although it was hygienic enough with toilets and showers) and the trailer park was full too. Still there was food to be found in the village. No, I'm not sarcastic, that place is in the mountains, think of logistics. I'm a very slow walker and first day over mountains did take me a long time but I was there still in the afternoon, able to enjoy my stay. I joined a free guided tour to both churches and Silo. I attended pilgrims mass. There were wonderful young Koreans in my trailer too, made some friends. Next morning went to Burgette and got my breakfast in a small shop, they had stone picnik tables next to it.

And the hospitalleros there are the ones that have to school the newbies and deal with the rookie mistakes of all those hundreds arriving. Have you seen the left behind stuff table? I was shocked. People who had packed all that and carried it the whole day over the mountains would be extra tied and grumpy. There is that saying "school of life is for free but it hits hard".
 
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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 have done the French camino 4 times, and I love it. I like the Mass at the beginning, the participation, the dinner at the restaurant.

Just a great place to start the journey on the Spaniard side.

Buen Camino!!

Texasguy
 
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.
Three weeks ago we waited for those hospitaleros (we had heard of that and was looking forward to it) but they didn’t come . Does that mean we have to do it again? Having said that, we enjoyed our stay. And it gave me an opportunity to practice my Dutch
 
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I totally agree with you. The food was the worst the entire walk so far. Maybe the pasta was supposed to go in the soup first course don't know but both were tasteless and when I til them I couldn't eat the fresh fries and asked for he goes it soup the guy just walked away. Although when he was serving the next table and saw my plate with just a tiny chicken leg on it as I had given the small portion of fries away he did geab it off the table and add some veggie salad.
Also the staff at the Albergue were cold and unhelpful.they made you uncomfortable if you asked for anything and some almost just ignored you. They couldn't wait to get away at closing with 4 or 5 of them sitting around for the last si they could escape.
Totaly disagree with you .:mad:
 
Is 12€ for a busy Albergue (Roncesvalles) run by volunteers not expensive by Camino standards. Where are the excess funds utilised?
 
I think it’s always going to difficult for the larger Albergues like Roncevalles to cater to everyone’s tastes. I think the auberge at Orrision on the first day sets the bar quite high for most first timers like myself because the newness of it all! The table companions at Orrision and Roncevalles was almost more important than the actual food. I found the best meal on the home stretch to SDC at Gonzar (?) in a cafe next to the municipal Albergue. I was amongst the last of the late arrivals that Sunday evening and absolutely famished but quickly polished off the menu! It was absolutely divine!!
 

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St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
Is 12€ for a busy Albergue (Roncesvalles) run by volunteers not expensive by Camino standards. Where are the excess funds utilised?
I suspect that "excess funds" will make some people smile wryly ... or bitterly. Some time ago, Roncesvalles was in the news due to a disagreement between the regional government and the owners of Roncesvalles (Pamplona diocese) and the prior mentioned that they are still paying off credits they incurred for the renovation of the Roncesvalles properties, in particular the modernisation of the current albergue and the old albergue that has been turned into a local/regional meeting centre. There are also plans, I believe, to renovate another part of the complex, the part of the building to the left of the Roncesvalles albergue which I think was used as an old people's home and looks rather run down.

I have no idea of the running costs, maintenance costs and other costs for Camino albergues but suspect that it's often taxpayers money that makes it so cheap for us to stay there.
 
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You mob up there are not good judges on food Robo

Would you like to explain that comment?
Is it in relation to Casa Sabina?
Have you tried the Menu del Dia this year, in the Dining Room?

Maybe we hit it on a good day?
I'm realising that arguments about food quality are rather pointless ;)
We all have different standards and expectations.
I enjoy nice food, regardless if it is in a Parador or a cafe. And have found both on the CF. As I listed above.

Some of the worst meals we had were in expensive places as well as Casa Rurals.
So I'm not sure that price is any indicator of meal quality at all.

I will refrain from making any further recommendations on good places to eat.
It merely attracts argument :p
 
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It merely attracts argument

More about north of the border mate :D
But i do love Apollo in Potts , you could have a few more maybe;)
The one thing HRH misses each year , and its been 10 now , is her roasts and her veggies.
I know they will come and tell me we always have the food thats in season whilst in Spain and France but imagine being young again :D:D [45] with an idle 6 months for a rstr specialising in roasts only in Galicia when they are all wet.
Not caring about the profit mate ......there isn't any , its a way of life ... just as meal for the waiter each day ;)
 
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Have you had the Menu del Dia there this year?
Is the Dining Room off the bar area.
It was very good.

And Yes we do get out............a lot.

One of my Pet Peeves is that it's very hard to find good food along the CF. Bland Pilgrim Menus, Menu del Dia often little better. A La Carte..........very hit and miss. One of the so called 'best' restaurants in SDC was very disappointing.

Out of 50 days on the CF, I could probably count on one hand, maybe two, the meals I would recommend.
That was one of them. The Casa Sabina - Menu del Dia.

Of course the quality of the meals on any given day/month/year are totally down to the Chef who is there.....

This year those memorable meals were at:

  1. Roncesvalles - Casa Sabina (Menu del Dia)
  2. Zubiri - Roast Lamb & Sangria! (Oggi Berri?) The popular one on the corner
  3. Santo Domingo - Parador - A La Carte dinner
  4. Burgos - Hotel Azofra - Famous place on the way out of town - Roast Lamb
  5. Carrion - Monasterio De San Zoilo - A la Carte lunch or dinner.
  6. Vega de Valcarce - Las Rocas - Pilgrim Menu
  7. O'Cebreiro - Hotel O'Cebreiro - Menu del Dia
  8. Portomarin - O Mirador - A La Carte Lunch
We tend to eat our way across Spain. So yes, we do 'get out' ;)
(As my wife is a professionally trained cook, she is very picky about where we eat!)
As I told my daughter, you don’t walk the Camino Frances for the sleep or the food.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Great photo @Kathar1na ! That is how I remember it on my second camino. The first we stayed upstairs in the main monastery building.
 
Is 12€ for a busy Albergue (Roncesvalles) run by volunteers not expensive by Camino standards. Where are the excess funds utilised?
It's a "give away" price!
Although I haven't stayed in the new albergue, I did visit and had a look around the last time I was in Roncesvelles
A beautiful albergue ....and with high running costs I would imagine....heating.....remember it's at a high altitude .....hot water for showers...cleaning...toilet paper
Accommodation and?? Food for the volunteers etc etc

And the renovations must have cost a fortune

Anyway, as pilgrims, we should not be concerning ourselves with their "excess funds"!!........ If indeed there are any!

A steal at 12 euro!
Best wishes
Annette
 
Indeed. I stand corrected ;) You 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 :cool:
I actually liked eating biscuits brown dunked in tea,
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
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 love it there!
 
Oh back to the subject of Roncesvalles, really it's a victim of so many people thinking you have to start in SJPP. Top tip - you don't.
I started in Pamplona a few weeks ago and so glad that I did. Just get off the train/bus and start your Camino. No transfers or scheduling concerns. And you can start walking the moment you get there.
 
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Please, all Dutch hospitaleros: your contribution to the Camino experience is priceless. Thank you. Same message to every hospitalera/o!
I speak from experience, is that cheating?!
I really enjoyed my hospitalera experience at Roncesvalles this year, although working in the first two weeks of September was a tough one: we had to send away so many tired pilgrims, because there were no more beds... very sad. I am Dutch, but don't like the way the thread talks about "the Dutch". I do not like being blunt, and I DO think the Dutch are often exactly that, and rude. I learnt to speak basic Spanish and was super chuffed that I was allowed to work at the check-in! I offered a (donativo) yoga class to the pilgrims every afternoon, stretching their poor muscles and allowing them to relax and soak up the ancient beautiful atmosphere of Roncesvalles. It was magic. I worked so hard (often 6am to 10pm, no days off, 2 full weeks), that I am wondering if I want to do this again, it was exhausting. We welcomed 3083 pilgrims in these two weeks. And that's not counting all the ones we had to send away. Walking to Pamplona after that was really like a holiday! :) Next year (15-31 October) you can find me in the "Huiskamer", the reception room of the Low Lands, first floor of the Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela. Looking forward to that!
 
Please, please, please: I never said a word against the Dutch, I am just not happy with the way I have been treated by hospitaleros in Roncesvalles, regardless of their nationality; rude, authoritarian, desconsiderate, tense., unfriendly, unhelpful. And I understand it is an awful lot of work to "process" 3083 pilgrims in 15 days, but it can be done with a smile and some manners.
 
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Please, please, please: I never said a word against the Dutch, I am just not happy with the way I have been treated by hospitaleros in Roncesvalles, regardless of their nationality; rude, authoritarian, desconsiderate, tense., unfriendly, unhelpful. And I understand it is an awful lot of work to "process" 3083 pilgrims in 15 days, but it can be done with a smile and some manners.


With all respect but is it not time to let that bad emotion fly away.....?
It is what it is.
Like I said on another thread regarding perceived " bad hospitality " : you survived to tell the story.

Ultreïa!
 
I really enjoyed my hospitalera experience at Roncesvalles this year, although working in the first two weeks of September was a tough one: we had to send away so many tired pilgrims, because there were no more beds... very sad. I am Dutch, but don't like the way the thread talks about "the Dutch". I do not like being blunt, and I DO think the Dutch are often exactly that, and rude. I learnt to speak basic Spanish and was super chuffed that I was allowed to work at the check-in! I offered a (donativo) yoga class to the pilgrims every afternoon, stretching their poor muscles and allowing them to relax and soak up the ancient beautiful atmosphere of Roncesvalles. It was magic. I worked so hard (often 6am to 10pm, no days off, 2 full weeks), that I am wondering if I want to do this again, it was exhausting. We welcomed 3083 pilgrims in these two weeks. And that's not counting all the ones we had to send away. Walking to Pamplona after that was really like a holiday! :) Next year (15-31 October) you can find me in the "Huiskamer", the reception room of the Low Lands, first floor of the Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela. Looking forward to that!
The 2 weeks in the Huiskamer last April were wonderful.
Wish you a wonderful time in the Huiskamer next year , Peter.
 
With all respect but is it not time to let that bad emotion fly away.....?
It is what it is.
Like I said on another thread regarding perceived " bad hospitality " : you survived to tell the story.

Ultreïa!

Dear Sabine, I was only meaning, above all, that I have nothing against the Dutch, that was the point I wanted to make clear. If I have had two bad experiences in Roncesvalles, I think it is fair enough to share it, not everybody will agree with me, but I want to make it very clear that I do not have a grudge against the Dutch, some people have understood I do, but I do not. I do not.
 
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Bluntness doesn't mean rudeness. I'll give you an example of Netherland style bluntness: my lovely Dutch flatmate noticed that I had 'shared a room' for the first time with a guy I had been seeing. He, the new man and I were sitting at breakfast the next morning when Dutchie said out of the blue "So, are you guys lovers now?" I nearly spat out my cornflakes!
 
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Bluntness doesn't mean rudeness. I'll give you an example of Netherland style bluntness: my lovely Dutch flatmate noticed that I had 'shared a room' for the first time with a guy I had been seeing. He, the new man and I were sitting at breakfast the next morning when Dutchie said out of the blue "So, are you guys lovers now?" I nearly spat out my cornflakes!

Well, were you?

 
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I have stayed at Roncesvalles twice. The first time was awesome. It was all new and it was when we met most of the pilgrims we would walk with for the next month.
A year later I stayed there again. I already knew what to expect and how it all worked.
I did my own dinner and was able to speak extensively with one of the volunteer Dutch. He was very friendly and told me how it was tough dealing with the masses and their expectations. Their hours are horrendous. I would never complain about their service or their demeanor as they are WAY over tasked.
I would never pass up the opportunity to stay there again.
Buen Camino
 
Indeed. I stand corrected ;) You 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 :cool:

'Biscuits Brown'! Oh my the memories! Do you remember practicing eating them with a respirator on? I quite liked them to be honest!

And I like staying at Roncesvalles. Last time it was only six of us there, in the winter block in December. I was walking back to France, so only five were going towards Santiago that day.

Davey
 
'Biscuits Brown'! Oh my the memories! Do you remember practicing eating them with a respirator on? I quite liked them to be honest!

I can't remember ever eating anything with my respirator on. Bad enough trying to breathe without trying to swallow as well. Drinking was a bit of a performance too. Perhaps I have wiped it all from my memory :)
 
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I can't remember ever eating anything with my respirator on. Bad enough trying to breathe without trying to swallow as well. Drinking was a bit of a performance too. Perhaps I have wiped it all from my memory :)

We had to practice eating them in full NBC gear in the CS chamber after running two miles (nice and sweaty). It was hard enough to open the packet with NBC gloves on. Maybe the instructors didn't like us! And I had wiped Biscuit browns from my memory until YOU mentioned them! (Toilet drills were fun too)!

I still like Roncesvalles though. But Im not keen on Orisson....
 
Folks, I remember my first class of primary school children. One of the girls decided I did not like her. She was mistaken. However, there was nothing I could do to change that. I did try. The Op did not have a happy experience in Roncesvalles. Amen, punto. That was his experience. No matter how many of the members have a different experience, that will never change his experience. Could this help to make it end of story? If not, then i would love to suggest that you listen to a radio session hosted by Krista Tippett. I am sorry it is not easy to post a straight link, you will need to look for the following:
SALLY KOHN AND ERICK ERICKSON
Relationship Across Rupture
If the moderators think this should not be included, please do erase it.
 
We stayed in roncesvalles in june!! After the pilgrim meal in one of the 2 bars that are outside the monastary i got talking too a fellow irishman who was on his own enjoying the vino tinto and blanco!!
We got talking too him the next day en route and he arrived back at 10.05 pm and door was locked and all his private possessions were in the dorms of course,
The guys wouldnt let him back in i.e rules are rules
He slept on the lawn outside!
I thought that was a bit harsh as it was only 5 mins late!
Thats what he told us anyway
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
You mob up there are not good judges on food Robo

Yeh Yeh. All you guys eat down South is Italian and Greek ;)

Our Lunch at Casa Sabina (Roncesvalles).......... I finally found the pics..........

The Menu del Dia. It wasn't in our 'Top 10' Camino meals, but it was a nice start......

1540700964109.png

1540701011869.png

1540701044959.png

1540701078369.png

1540701121134.png

1540701154206.png
 
I think maybe we need a best food thread! "Who's Kitchen Rules"?

Perhaps when posting a picture of a favourite meal we (the OP) could give the meal a score out of 100.

0-20 on:

Taste/Flavour
Quality of Ingredients
Presentation
Value for money
Ambience, surroundings, pleasantness of venue staff (to be objective, the score should not relate to your dining companions ;) )
 
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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.

I loved the guitar and singing in the morning! I remember having a very good meal in a friendly bar there. I'm sorry for your bad luck!
 
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.
Yeh Yeh. All you guys eat down South is Italian and Greek ;)
I will send you a private e/m Robo, Then i expect a public apology for all the Camino foodies who know where we eat and keep secret from Le Puy to San Clemente Plaza........opps , that slipped out.:D
 
I will send you a private e/m Robo, Then i expect a public apology for all the Camino foodies who know where we eat and keep secret from Le Puy to San Clemente Plaza........opps , that slipped out.:D

I am chastised :oops:

I will buy you a nice Red when next in Melbourne to hear some of the 'secrets' ;)

I'm starting to think that there are distinct 'levels' of how one can walk a Camino.
A bit like airline lounges.
You think you are in the good lounge, only to find that unmarked door leads to an even better experience :oops:
 
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?


Hi
I feel I have to speak up. I started from SJPdP on 20Mar 2018 and was one of those caught in the heavy snow on my first day. The top track was closed due snow and we had to come via the alternate route.
I arrived at Roncesvalles late afternoon cold, wet and hungry. It was my first night on my Camino so the experience was all new.
I found the hostelerios very friendly and couldn’t do enough for me. They sat me down, got a blanket and a coffee and basically got me back to ‘normal’ again.
They were fantastic. When I attended mass that evening one of them came up and asked me how I was.
I’m sorry to hear about your experiences - mine was the exact opposite.
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

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Yeh Yeh. All you guys eat down South is Italian and Greek ;)

Our Lunch at Casa Sabina (Roncesvalles).......... I finally found the pics..........

The Menu del Dia. It wasn't in our 'Top 10' Camino meals, but it was a nice start.....

View attachment 48084

View attachment 48085
-- Wow our meal at Roncesvalles looked NOTHING like that. Our desert was an apple on a plate with a knife. We have laughed about that often - so something really good came from it. haha...(thank goodness we like apples!)
 
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?

We walked Camino in 2014, we started at SJPP and stayed at Roxcenvalles 2 days due to an injury. Did not encounter any situations, everyone was great, friendly and typical Spanish.
You see the problem we observed through our 42 day hike of Camino Frances is that most Americans (including myself), Australians, and Canadians expect to receive service, accommodations, and expectations according to their custom or culture! But we are traveling in another culture all together, different service, different language, different ideas, and different life! After the first 10 days of walking I realized this is a pilgrimage of acceptance, adjustment and open mind, “Go with the Flow.”
I had an advantage being of Cuban descent, I understood the language and got along with many, but still realized “I wasn’t in the USA!”
Most of us are spoiled, we have been automated to get things our way all the time! But this is CAMINO! It’s like walking on the Appalachian Trail, no matter how much you plan, things don’t always go your way! So you just rearrange and move on!
Can’t wait to do Camino again! GOD Bless and Buen Camino!!!
 
You see the problem we observed through our 42 day hike of Camino Frances is that most Americans (including myself), Australians, and Canadians expect to receive service, accommodations, and expectations according to their custom or culture!

Not sure that's really true is it?
Certainly most Australians I know are very well travelled and have no such expectations..........
at least in my view, as an Aussie ;)

I get your point, though I'm not sure it's really Nationality specific :)

Interesting looking at some stats though..........
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/countries-whose-citizens-travel-the-most.html

I think we all knew that Americans don't 'get out much'.......... ;);););)
 
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Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
I get your point, though I'm not sure it's really Nationality specific :)

There are obnoxious people of all nationalities. I think we tend to notice more when one of our own is making an exhibition of themselves. Vicarious embarrassment. Some nationalities are far more common on the Caminos than others. So it is perhaps not surprising if irritating Americans outnumber irritating Brits or Aussies. Just look at the stats.
 
I'm not sure I agree with "most Americans (including myself), Australians, and Canadians expect to receive service, accommodations, and expectations according to their custom or culture!" -- I am an American and I'm pretty easy going and realized I was in another country and things would be different.
We all know the Caminio is magical...However, there's never any excuse...even on the Camino...for being unkind or rude. Roncesvalles was my least favorite experience on the Camino because some of the hosts were unnecessarily unkind and impatient.
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.

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