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Here are two articles appearing in La Voz de Galicia this morning.
Las nuevas normas en Galicia: ¿puedo tomar algo en la barra de un bar? ¿con cuántas personas puedo ir a la playa?
Se eliminan los límites para las reuniones sociales, excepto en la hostelería. El horario de apertura de bares se amplía ya este vierneswww.lavozdegalicia.es
Los albergues del Camino reabren con zonas comunes a mitad de capacidad y habitaciones al 30 %
A partir del martes volverán a estar operativas la mitad de las instalaciones, y desde el 1 de julio la red estará lista al completowww.lavozdegalicia.es
In both stories there is a paragraph that states:
"In addition, it will be mandatory for each pilgrim to carry their own sleeping bag and it is recommended that they spend the whole night with the mask on."
Each article states this differently, but the prescription is the same. You have to have your own means of sleeping warm. Bear in mind that this is discussing only those albergues in Galicia. I have no information about non-Galician albergues. If someone else does, please jump into the dialog.
My primary takeaway, is that you cannot rely on linens and or blankets being available at albergues. This has been the case in previous years. My sense is that in this time of a pandemic, albergues are cutting corners on disposable lines and having to launder blankets (as if!)
Hope this helps.
Ultreia!
Tom
Did someone say bed bugs?I agree. The blankets was a bad idea before the pandemic as well.
Did someone say bed bugs?
I used albergue provided blankets on every Camino I have walked, and two Caminos I carried no sleeping bag or liner of any kind (very warm summer months) and only used what was provided at albergues, when it was available. Otherwise I just slept on top of the mattress. No problems at all.I agree. The blankets was a bad idea before the pandemic as well.
I used albergue provided blankets on every Camino I have walked, and two Caminos I carried no sleeping bag or liner of any kind (very warm summer months) and only used what was provided at albergues, when it was available. Otherwise I just slept on top of the mattress. No problems at all.
Nothing scary about using a blanket in an albergue. I found them to be quite adequate and nary a bed bug has ever bitten me on a Camino.
I now carry only a synthetic liner for Caminos and use that in conjunction with provided blankets when possible.
Yeah, as they say it's all good. One certainly cannot expect to be in a sterile environment whilst communal living in a place that changes residents daily. Just all part of the experience I suppose. In every albergue you are lying on a bed that changes users daily. Each user so different than the one the night before. The flatulence, sweat, dead skin cells, hair, drool and no telling what else on that mattress. Cannot really overthink it or overreact. If one were to do so, one might as well stay home or walk the Camino in a haz mat suit, lol. A bit like going to a foreign country and being afraid to eat the street food because you may get sick. I mean, what's the point?I might know someone who slept with the same blankets you did, a couple of years later.
Good thing they finally became illegal.
I suggest that the takeaway should be that pilgrim ought not rely on albergue-provided linens or blankets - at least in Galicia. BRING YOUR OWN - whatever you prefer. Although I suggest something machine washable - in the event of bedbugs. A microfiber sleeping bag liner might do the trick - check this out.
I own the microfiber liner - compresses to fit in a one-gallon Ziplock, and the microfiber bag. The bag is heavier and a lot warmer. Both have three-sided, full separating zippers. I have slept in the liner on Camino and it is fine for summer nights. You might need to wear your fleece jacket on a cooler night. But is lightweight, machine washable and roomy.
This change in policy is likely a consequence of the pandemic, and the need to sanitize linens and beds after every use. The staff (volunteers) need to do this. In that context, this restriction is reasonable.
I allow that it is still possible that SOME albergues - even in Galicia - might offer to sell you the kit of disposable sheets and pillow case - separate from the standard nightly fee. Given the huge financial hit from the pandemic, passing along extra costs is going to be seen across the economy in most all countries.
This is all part of the "new normal" that we need to be flexible about.
Hope this helps.
Ultriea!
Tom
I use my sleeping bag, but have added a blanket on top...only on rare occasion.I always use my sleeping bag in community Albergues. I would never trust a blanket in one. A private Albergue is different.
I always use my sleeping bag in community Albergues. I would never trust a blanket in one. A private Albergue is different.
Yes, I found no apparent and obvious distinctions between the two.IMHO there is no need to make a distinction in private or community albergues when it comes to hygiene of blankets. Saw good examples and bad examples in both places.
This. Silk is fine washed up to about 60C. Down washes without problems, it's always the dryng tht is more difficult because it takes a long time and needs periodic shaking to fluff up the down.I have machine washed and dried my silk sleep sack and down blanket.
I suggest that the takeaway should be that pilgrim ought not rely on albergue-provided linens or blankets - at least in Galicia. BRING YOUR OWN - whatever you prefer. Although I suggest something machine washable - in the event of bedbugs. A microfiber sleeping bag liner might do the trick - check this out.
I own the microfiber liner - compresses to fit in a one-gallon Ziplock, and the microfiber bag. The bag is heavier and a lot warmer. Both have three-sided, full separating zippers. I have slept in the liner on Camino and it is fine for summer nights. You might need to wear your fleece jacket on a cooler night. But is lightweight, machine washable and roomy.
This change in policy is likely a consequence of the pandemic, and the need to sanitize linens and beds after every use. The staff (volunteers) need to do this. In that context, this restriction is reasonable.
I allow that it is still possible that SOME albergues - even in Galicia - might offer to sell you the kit of disposable sheets and pillow case - separate from the standard nightly fee. Given the huge financial hit from the pandemic, passing along extra costs is going to be seen across the economy in most all countries.
This is all part of the "new normal" that we need to be flexible about.
Hope this helps.
Ultriea!
Tom
I can't sleep in a CPAP mask so . . . . mind you an eye shade has been beneficial these past few weeks!Sleeping with a mask on would not be my first preference. It is enough for me to give it another year or two.
Perhaps this will see more wanting to camp out over staying in Albergues / Refugios / Donativos.
You have been fortunate. Aldeanueva on the VdlP and Castro del rio on the Mozarabe come to mind. I will sleep almost anywhere but I walked in and out of those two. I am not trying to slander Community Albergues. There are many very nice ones but I have come across some that are unusable, imo. I have never had that issue with a Private Albergue. I do not trust blankets in most community Albergues. My sleeping bag is treated and so far no bed bugs in 10 Camino's. It is just more difficult to maintain a community Albergue based on traffic.Yes, I found no apparent and obvious distinctions between the two.
Not nearly enough. But I was wondering...a sock inserted half way down the throat...(just kidding.)On the positive side, a donned mask will likely muffle the drone of the snorers!
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