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LIVE from the Camino Snakes in an albergue - La Quintana

tillyjones

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Frances June 2015
VDLP May 2017
del Norte Sept 2018
Last night, on one of two ventures to the bathroom, there was a snake on the dining room floor. I was alarmed when i saw him, but perhaps more distressed the second time when i didn't see him!

I this morning told the owner, who seemed not to believe me given the head shaking, eye rolling and chuckles

Anyway, unless said snake found his way out on his own, he may well still be in here and a less than welcome visitor to your bunk at night!
 
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,-
A selection of Camino Jewellery
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Thank you for taking the time to alert other pilgrims
 
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
Join our full-service guided tour and let us convert you into a Pampered Pilgrim!
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
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,-
Where was this??
 
Are there any venomous snakes in that part of Spain?
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
There are a half-dozen vipers in Spain.
There are 3 viper species in Spain. They are all venomous and a bite from one should be treated as a medical emergency and treatment sought immediately. However, compared with snakes from many other parts of the world the toxicity of Spanish vipers is relatively low and a bite promptly treated is unlikely to result in lasting long term injury. They are reclusive snakes which avoid conflict with people whenever possible and you are very unlikely to encounter one or be bitten by one.

In addition to the three Vipera species there are two rear-fanged snakes in Spain which are technically venomous but which possess only mild venom and are in practice almost incapable of envenomating a human because of the placement of their fangs. They are interesting animals but not any cause for concern.
 
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The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
I have a video of a small viper that was crossing a track somewhere on the beautiful Mesita. I forget exactly where, but we stayed in an alburgue in a small town and in late afternoon took a dirt track up a rather steep hill to visit an old church.

On the way down, I was walking with a Dutchman and being an Australian that grew up in an area where snakes were common, I have a habit of always watching the ground ahead.
But I wasn't watching carefully enough, when out of the corner of my right eye, I saw something move and I instinctively flung my arm across the Dutchman, stopping him from stepping on or beside it.
He was very thankful, when he realised he almost stood on a snake, I must say!

The snake wasn't in any hurry and it wasn't long before people gathered and before long someone produced a wooden staff wanting to kill it. I refused to allow that to happen, and using my poles I encouraged the snake to leave the path for the safety of the long grass growing beside the path.

Just be aware that there are snakes in Spain (and just about everywhere else except New Zealand) and be aware that snakes move about day and night.

They have a strong role to play in the natural ecosystem and if encountered, outside are best left alone.

If a snake has entered a home, it is best to find someone who knows how properly identify the species and how to remove the snake safely for him or herself and for the snake.

Killing or removing snakes is high risk and is one sure way of increasing the probability that you will be the next snakebite victim.

And please do not worry about snakes. Worry about bedbugs and ticks. I do.
 

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