I stayed at Belari for two nights before starting the camino in April. While I am not an "icebreaker" fan, I decided to just go with it and ended up meeting some lovely people. I enjoyed it even more the second night, as I realized the diversity of people walking the camino and their motivations for doing so. There's no pressure to bare one's soul....in fact, you will be encouraged to be brief!
I will just add that, for me, the camino gave me daily opportunities to put myself in new situations - not always ones I would have normally chosen. Most of the time, I realized that I had preconceptions about people or situations that weren't really true. As they sing at my grand-daughter's nursery school at lunch time... "Try it, try it - you might like it!"
That was my experience at Belari - and all along the camino. Joseph and the other Belari hosts were accommodating, warm and got us off on the right foot, attitude wise. Location is great - right across from the Pilgrim Office. The late dinner start is something you'll encounter all along the camino. Take a walk to the top of the citadel to enjoy the lights of the town at night (be careful and take a flashlight - it's dark up there! But worth the walk). I've heard that there are other nice places to stay in SJPP, this is just my experience. Buen camino!
