Skullduggery in Castilblanco

[mmm042]

Hi.

I'm currently on the VDLP. This morning in Castilblanco de los Arroyos, a local told me lots of peregrinos in the albergue are being robbed, plus some people are duping peregrinos by saying they need to pay for a sello. Not sure if this is a recent development or what, but FYI ...

Melanie

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Melanie,

Well, this isn't the first time Castilblanco has been a crime scene. It was either in 2008 or 2009 that the hospitalera told me about a number of thefts from the albergue. In fact at that time, there was a donativo box on the wall of the albergue, which was frequently broken into, so they were in the process of changing that.

At that time, the suspected thiefs actually lived very close to the albergue, in a pretty run down place that was up the hill and to the left behind the albergue.

I wouldn't be surprised to see an increase in this type of activity as the economy continues to tank and more and more cuts are announced. Very sad.

Buen camino, btw, what's your itinerary this time? Laurie

 

[mmm042]

Hi Laurie.

I'm back to update my app. I'm heading to Caceres this time, then back in November to do Caceres to somewhere around Oliva de Plasencia/Banos de Montemayor. I'm piggybacking on other work trips, so I have limited time.

I'm surprised how much has changed in the two years or less since I've been here! In general, the signage is much better, although there are still some really weird hito-placings that are quite confusing. Lots of construction still, which is interesting given the economic conditions. But lots of businesses closed, too. That wonderful Hospederia de la Plata that you'd recommended -- and which I stayed at in 2010 (when it was packed) -- is now closed.

What's your next trip?

Melanie

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Melanie,

I suppose changes are to be expected, but even though the economy is so bad, I'm surprised that places on the Vdlp are closing since pilgrim numbers seem to keep going up. I really liked that Hospederia in Castilblanco, I'm sorry it's closed. Nice family, decent food, fair prices, and very clean clean clean rooms.

Lucky you, piggybacking play onto work! Though in your case it's really work onto work since you are writing an ap (which I confess I have never seen and have no way to see since I'm a technological dinosaur). Hope the weather is ok in November. What's the weather like now?

I'm not sure what next year's Camino will bring, I try to resist the planning till the grey dreary dismal winter settles in. Buen camino, keep in touch! Laurie

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Melanie,
It just occurred to me that one thing you might want to put on your ap are some of the little detours I took on the Vdlp. I posted a link to that thread on another Vdlp thread just today, which is why I've been thinking about them. But some of the little excursions, like from Alcuescar to Santa Maria del Trampal or from Zamora to San Pedro de la Nave are so very special. And many won't hear about them otherwise. Here's the link, just FYI.

camino-mozarabe-and-via-de-la-plata/topic8965.html

I know lots of people won't be interested, but surely some would! Especially those crackpots like me who love churches from the VI-IX century, even though I rarely set foot inside one at home! Buen camino, Laurie