LIVE from the Camino The NOISE!

[LauraK]

I just arrived in Salamanca and I am staying in a little hotel just off the Plaza Mayor. I opened the window in my room last night because I was warm and....the noise! Yelling, singing, laughing, loud (did I say LOUD) talking, rapid fire Spanish...such energy. It sounds like I am inside a giant bee hive...buzzing and humming nothing really understandable. It ebbed and flowed all night long. It never stopped...who is out there at 4:30am on a Friday morning?! What are they laughing about? Who is Antonio? And so here I lay on my bed with a big smile on my face. Yes! I am in Spain. And loving it.

 

[david g]

I just arrived in Salamanca and I am staying in a little hotel just off the Plaza Mayor. I opened the window in my room last night because I was warm and....the noise! Yelling, singing, laughing, loud (did I say LOUD) talking, rapid fire Spanish...such energy. It sounds like I am inside a giant bee hive...buzzing and humming nothing really understandable. It ebbed and flowed all night long. It never stopped...who is out there at 4:30am on a Friday morning?! What are they laughing about? Who is Antonio? And so here I lay on my bed with a big smile on my face. Yes! I am in Spain. And loving it.

Way to roll with it and appreciate it for all it's differences.

 

[angulero]

Salamanca es ciudad universitaria y los jueves son días donde los universitarios salen de fiesta.

Salamanca is a university town and Thursdays are days where college leaving party.

 

[Al the optimist]

I try to avoid cities and large towns at the weekends/fiestas if walking the next day. They are great for partying but not sleeping. But there is a certain allure to the joy of life shown.

 

[naplesdon]

Even small towns can be like that, especially in the summer. I was in Bergara south of San Sebastian to visit the famous and remote Mugaritz restaurant in the Basque hills. I tried their much heralded lunch time tasting menu on two consecutive days and stayed the night in Bergara. My hotel room overlooked the town square and I found it was also the town's living room, full of life and noise with grandmas and grandpas looking after fractious youngsters while mom and dad drank beers and wine at nearby plaza tables.
BTW, Mugaritz has become the top dining spot in Spain since El Bulli closed. I have been to both and I think it is a "hard eight" to say which is/was the best, totally different food stuff: molecular v traditional.

 

[efdoucette]

One of the beauties of Spain are that people are out. Not just university students but families, walking, mingling and dining - out. Maybe not at 4:30 but normally in every town and city the spanish are always out. But, they also siesta, so find yourself a tree to nap under during the day.
Love it.

 

[mspath]

...I was in Bergara south of San Sebastian to visit the famous and remote Mugaritz restaurant in the Basque hills. I tried their much heralded lunch time tasting menu on two consecutive days and stayed the night in Bergara.

Lucky you! How was it all? Did you see the famous oak tree? Hope your memories are delicious!

MM

 

[Al the optimist]

I just love being with my Spanish friends and their families on a warm sunny evening sharing tapas and a drink outside a bar while the children play all around. Heaven! Many chances to do something similar along the Camino on afternoons as the children arrive from school. An example? Sitting outside the bar opposite the playground in Cirauqui as the bus arrives bringing the children back and parents chatting while they played in the park. Oh I can taste the cold beer now!

 

[SabsP]

Even small towns can be like that, especially in the summer. I was in Bergara south of San Sebastian to visit the famous and remote Mugaritz restaurant in the Basque hills. I tried their much heralded lunch time tasting menu on two consecutive days and stayed the night in Bergara. My hotel room overlooked the town square and I found it was also the town's living room, full of life and noise with grandmas and grandpas looking after fractious youngsters while mom and dad drank beers and wine at nearby plaza tables.
BTW, Mugaritz has become the top dining spot in Spain since El Bulli closed. I have been to both and I think it is a "hard eight" to say which is/was the best, totally different food stuff: molecular v traditional.

Ohh you lucky man!!!

 

[wayfarer]

 

[peregrina2000]

Lucky Laura! Even the ability to open your window at night makes me green with envy -- last night our low hit -2 or -3 F.

Hope you have a wonderful Vdlp and Sanabrés, oh what I would give..... Buen camino, Laurie

 

[naplesdon]

Lucky you! How was it all? Did you see the famous oak tree? Hope your memories are delicious!

MM

Yes I did, quite a nice small town is Axpe. I spent some time in Durango on my visit and had no idea the Nazis had bombed it on a market day around the same time they bombed Guernica. There were horrible dealings between Franco and Hitler and it is one of the reason I have never/won't visit Germany.
At Mugaritz I ordered lobster the second day I was there and it would have served three persons, absolutely the best piece of seafood I have ever eaten. The service staff is part of the kitchen crew, so they cater to your every request. The wine list is unbelievable.
El Bulli was an an amazing place. My daughter "won the lottery" as far as getting us a reservation. We stayed in Roses for 3 days, what a lovely place. Taxied to El Bulli, a 30 minute journey, and had a 30 course meal with paired wines for each course. I sure hope Ferran opens another place soon. He is a magician when it comes to food. Here is photo of my daughter with her mentor Ferran Adria.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Charming is one thing during the day, and another thing at night.
I learned that the first time I checked into a hotel next to the famous bell tower...

 

[Carol06]

Ha ha. Now you know you are in Spain.

 

[Harington]

I just arrived in Salamanca and I am staying in a little hotel just off the Plaza Mayor. I opened the window in my room last night because I was warm and....the noise! Yelling, singing, laughing, loud (did I say LOUD) talking, rapid fire Spanish...such energy. It sounds like I am inside a giant bee hive...buzzing and humming nothing really understandable. It ebbed and flowed all night long. It never stopped...who is out there at 4:30am on a Friday morning?! What are they laughing about? Who is Antonio? And so here I lay on my bed with a big smile on my face. Yes! I am in Spain. And loving it.

Students! it's a big university city. I vaguely remember 50 years ago when I stayed up laughing till 4am!

 

[neverlost4good]

What a great video to go with this post! Ha! I guess one could just go down and join the party! Great song. He is still handsome.

 

[Kathy F.]

To me, it sounds like fun.
I found that most places on the CF were pretty quiet. The places that were "noisy" I translated into "lively" and wished I could go out and join them (as a natural born night owl). However, the Camino compelled me to join my bunk mates, knowing the morning light would come in the window way too soon. Oh, but how I wanted to party,sing, and dance!
Next time, I shall.

 

[NoQ]

You want to see what it's like in July and August! Every Friday and Saturday we walked into a fiesta that went on all night. Azofra was frustrating because it was right by us but nobody was allowed out. El Acebo, Melide and Murias very relaxed with regards to access but nobody got a lot of sleep. All part of the amazing experience.

 

[LTfit]

As you can read, most of us would switch places with you! I have done the Plata in the summer and the winter and the Sanabres in the summer and the fall and I would be pleased to do them all over again! Have a wonderful Camino!

 

[hecate105]

Tis that Mediterranean thing... I found the same in Greece - except it was Yannis instead of Antonio! The earplugs are not just for albergues....

 

[paul.ferris]

Your opening the window in the night is essential in albergues where large numbers of people are sharing the same limited amount of air. Not just consuming the oxygen but also contributing various odours to it. Albergues also seem to universally provide some heat in the cold but are less likely to cool the air when it is hot. So some ventilation is essential. Outside noises are a welcome, or unwelcome byproduct.

 

[hecate105]

Lovely photo Angulero and great to hear that song again Wayfarer...

 

[bystander]

Even small towns can be like that, especially in the summer. I was in Bergara south of San Sebastian to visit the famous and remote Mugaritz restaurant in the Basque hills. I tried their much heralded lunch time tasting menu on two consecutive days and stayed the night in Bergara. My hotel room overlooked the town square and I found it was also the town's living room, full of life and noise with grandmas and grandpas looking after fractious youngsters while mom and dad drank beers and wine at nearby plaza tables.
BTW, Mugaritz has become the top dining spot in Spain since El Bulli closed. I have been to both and I think it is a "hard eight" to say which is/was the best, totally different food stuff: molecular v traditional.

Seriously jealous!

 

[Felipe]

Look for "Botellón" in Wikipedia.
There is a French version, "le big apéro".

 

[Kathy F.]

Oh, but how I wanted to party,sing, and dance!
Next time, I shall.

. . . but not if I'm staying in a convent. If the Spanish nuns say the door is locked at 9:00, I wouldn't want to test them. I'd rather get in the ring with a bull in Sahagun.