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I recently read (but cannot find the thread any more) that some of you thought the French were notorious for insisting on closed windows at night.
I am French. And one of my biggest bugbears sleeping in albergues was not the snoring, the lights on at 5 am, the plastic bags.... It was this closing the windows!!! I need, especially when I sleep with another 8 to 10 people at night, the window open! I have even been known to tie the window open to my bed with my washing line!!! Honestly, it was sooooo hot and it wasn’t healthy to keep it shut, as well as suffocating!
I never asked the nationality of the pilgrims who insisted on shutting it, one sure thing is that they weren’t French. On all my Caminos, I have only made friends with two French people, one was sleeping in a tent, the other one wanted the window open, like me. No question.
So as a matter of interest, and because I have nothing else to do at the moment, what on earth made you think we French like the windows shut???
Défenestration?So as a matter of interest, and because I have nothing else to do at the moment, what on earth made you think we French like the windows shut???
I'm a Kiwi and window-opener so that debunks that theory;-)I thought all Europeans and non-Americans liked the windows shut.
Hehe!
To me it always seems like a male / female thing.
I didn't think that needed explainingOkay, but which one is doing what?
I recently read (but cannot find the thread any more) that some of you thought the French were notorious for insisting on closed windows at night.
I am French. And one of my biggest bugbears sleeping in albergues was not the snoring, the lights on at 5 am, the plastic bags.... It was this closing the windows!!!
I need, especially when I sleep with another 8 to 10 people at night, the window open! I have even been known to tie the window open to my bed with my washing line!!! Honestly, it was sooooo hot and it wasn’t healthy to keep it shut, as well as suffocating!
I never asked the nationality of the pilgrims who insisted on shutting it, one sure thing is that they weren’t French. On all my Caminos, I have only made friends with two French people, one was sleeping in a tent, the other one wanted the window open, like me. No question.
So as a matter of interest, and because I have nothing else to do at the moment, what on earth made you think we French like the windows shut???
I forgot to mention the mosquito problem in my post.And here was I thinking that it was the Korean ladies that kept shutting the windowsI am a Kiwi and I definitely wanted them open until the mosquitoes started coming in and then I also closed them after the German lady opened them.
Surely it's the Italians who keep the windows closed?
Just kidding, I don't think that any single nationality is to blame.
In our house, it's the cat that decides!I recently read (but cannot find the thread any more) that some of you thought the French were notorious for insisting on closed windows at night.
I am French. And one of my biggest bugbears sleeping in albergues was not the snoring, the lights on at 5 am, the plastic bags.... It was this closing the windows!!!
I need, especially when I sleep with another 8 to 10 people at night, the window open! I have even been known to tie the window open to my bed with my washing line!!! Honestly, it was sooooo hot and it wasn’t healthy to keep it shut, as well as suffocating!
I never asked the nationality of the pilgrims who insisted on shutting it, one sure thing is that they weren’t French. On all my Caminos, I have only made friends with two French people, one was sleeping in a tent, the other one wanted the window open, like me. No question.
So as a matter of interest, and because I have nothing else to do at the moment, what on earth made you think we French like the windows shut???
Does anyone know why insect screens are universal (I think) in North America but rare in Europe? We saw window mesh in 2 hotels in Germany ( on the Bodensee) but none that we recollect in Spain.
A fair way to handle this isThe other five or six wanted them open. One would think majority would rule but the lone window and door closer would not budge and finally just gathered their kit and left.
I recently read (but cannot find the thread any more) that some of you thought the French were notorious for insisting on closed windows at night.
I am French. And one of my biggest bugbears sleeping in albergues was not the snoring, the lights on at 5 am, the plastic bags.... It was this closing the windows!!!
I need, especially when I sleep with another 8 to 10 people at night, the window open! I have even been known to tie the window open to my bed with my washing line!!! Honestly, it was sooooo hot and it wasn’t healthy to keep it shut, as well as suffocating!
I never asked the nationality of the pilgrims who insisted on shutting it, one sure thing is that they weren’t French. On all my Caminos, I have only made friends with two French people, one was sleeping in a tent, the other one wanted the window open, like me. No question.
So as a matter of interest, and because I have nothing else to do at the moment, what on earth made you think we French like the windows shut???
I have also been considering beginning my next camino, the Levante, in next February or March. Most of the albergues on that camiino are currently closed and have been so for some time, I now have the option of staying in less expensive hostals or hotels, more of which (not all) are open. From my experience in walking the VdlP, the season for the albergues to be open is fairly short, even in ordinary years. Who knows what the situation will be in a Holy Year, which is also in a (hopefully) post pandemic year? You may want to consider the availability of accommodation as one issue in when you decide to walk next year.I have a great solution but hopefully most people won't follow it. Also most people do not have this luxury either. I have slept in albergues that were crowded with closed windows that got so hot and smelled so badly I thought I would die.
Now I start Caminos in mid October and if I can (I am 66 and waiting for the vaccine) I will walk the VDLP starting late February or very early March. This will really help alleviate albergues being too crowded and too hot. I have no problem walking alone and not seeing alot of Pilgrims. Personally I would also rather sleep in a colder albergue in a sleeping bag and my clothes than a hot and stuffy one. Just my preference.
Not so, everywhere. I live in a mild and often damp climate. We have no screens. Insects are not a problem. Several times each year (not more), we will chase a mosquito around the bedroom at night before we can go to sleep. Those nights the window is closed. However, my relatives in other parts of Canada cannot imagine not having screens. (In some cases, mosquitos are jokingly called the provincial bird!)Does anyone know why insect screens are universal (I think) in North America but rare in Europe?
I'll be surprised if a vaccine is widely available that early, though I've read that Mexico will be getting 32 million doses of the Russian vaccine starting in November.Now I start Caminos in mid October and if I can (I am 66 and waiting for the vaccine) I will walk the VDLP starting late February or very early March.
You are right it is wishful thinking for March. After being in healthcare for many years at this point there is no way I would get the Russian vaccine based on their safety, oversight and transparency.I'll be surprised if a vaccine is widely available that early, though I've read that Mexico will be getting 32 million doses of the Russian vaccine starting in November.
BRIEF—32 million doses of Sputnik V vaccine for Mexico
BRIEF—32 million doses of Sputnik V vaccine for Mexicowww.thepharmaletter.com
Though the Ministry of Health denies it
Ministry of Health denies arrival of Sputnik V vaccine in Mexico - The Yucatan Times
The Undersecretary of Health denied that in the case of the Russian vaccine, the arrival of 32 million doses is contemplated because there is no such authorization from Cofepris MEXICO CITY (Times Media Mexico/SSA) - The Ministry of Health informed this Sunday that the number of cases confirmed...www.theyucatantimes.com
Thanks I will definitely be checking into the availability of albergues. I will take extra time to walk and if I have to 2 short days to insure availability I have no problem doing that. If there is no choice but a 30+ k day then I also have no problem taking a cab for 10 k or do to cut the distance down. I will be 67 next year and my 30k or more days are behind me. ThanksI have also been considering beginning my next camino, the Levante, in next February or March. Most of the albergues on that camiino are currently closed and have been so for some time, I now have the option of staying in less expensive hostals or hotels, more of which (not all) are open. From my experience in walking the VdlP, the season for the albergues to be open is fairly short, even in ordinary years. Who knows what the situation will be in a Holy Year, which is also in a (hopefully) post pandemic year? You may want to consider the availability of accommodation as one issue in when you decide to walk next year.
I lived in Puerto Vallarta for almost 5 years and now live by Lake Chapala also in Mexico. Here anyone who can afford it has screens.Not so, everywhere. I live in a mild and often damp climate. We have no screens. Insects are not a problem. Several times each year (not more), we will chase a mosquito around the bedroom at night before we can go to sleep. Those nights the window is closed. However, my relatives in other parts of Canada cannot imagine not having screens. (In some cases, mosquitos are jokingly called the provincial bird!)
I haven’t noticed them in Northern Spain and I don’t have any on the southEast coast of Spain but they are a necessity in Andalucia, especially in the countryside. From memory I think every house had them, we certainly did.I forgot to mention the mosquito problem in my post.
Does anyone know why insect screens are universal (I think) in North America but rare in Europe? We saw window mesh in 2 hotels in Germany ( on the Bodensee) but none that we recollect in Spain.
Divide pilgrims by gender?Maybe the alburgue managers should divide the pilgrims up instead of by gender but by windows open or closed?
I forgot to mention the mosquito problem in my post.
Does anyone know why insect screens are universal (I think) in North America but rare in Europe? We saw window mesh in 2 hotels in Germany ( on the Bodensee) but none that we recollect in Spain.
I like the windows left open two bits.But leave a window open a bit, please.
This is probably one of the biggest reasons for the "window open/window closed" issue. I hadn't thought of that before.In my experience there were those who travelled and slept in Winter rated sleeping bags and demanded windows be kept open and those who slept in liners or none who didn't.
When I was there in 2016 the municipal albergue in Ponferrada had one room for women only, but it was already full by the time I got there.Divide pilgrims by gender?
It's a rare pleasure when this happens. The nuns at Carrion de los Condes run the only place I've encounteted this.......
The albergue at Zabaldika had the rooms separated for male and female. It's been my only experience staying in one.When I was there in 2016 the municipal albergue in Ponferrada had one room for women only, but it was already full by the time I got there.
The albergue of the Benedictine nuns at Leon had three dormitories: women, men and couples. But when I last stayed there, one young man insisted on spending considerable time in the women's dormitory while we were trying to get undressed for bed. He had claimed a plug for his personal use in charging his phone, and refused to leave the room.
Well, I tried to boot him out, not so diplomatically, with no success at all. It was clear what his priority was.How disrespectful!
I would have diplomatically booted that young fellow out of the room.
No @Camino Chrissy , I always walked in Summer. Even in 25 deg + at night (and the rest!) they still wanted the windows shutThis is probably one of the biggest reasons for the "window open/window closed" issue. I hadn't thought of that before.
Nor me in July/AugustBTW, I have walked five caminos and have never encountered even one mosquito in Spain or France during April and May.
I made friends on the Via Francigena with a lovely hospitalera from ZabaldikaThe albergue at Zabaldika had the rooms separated for male and female. It's been my only experience staying in one.
Oh how awful. I am sorry you had to go through this.Well, I tried to boot him out, not so diplomatically, with no success at all. It was clear what his priority was.
I hope that I have not given you the wrong impression. As far as I could see, this young man's only interest was getting his phone charged.Oh how awful. I am sorry you had to go through this.
Happened to me once, can’t remember where but not far from Santiago. First Camino. All women in the dormitary, one slipped in one man when all of us were asleep. They were going in the top bunk of my bed
We saw them off
But it wasn’t a very nice experience.
Defenestrate!...I don't get to use this cool word often enough, VN.No, you were very clear, @Albertagirl.
I'm glad I was not there, or I'd have been tempted to pull the plug, and throw the guy out - most undiplomatically.
maybe maybe .... we are also the ones who whisper (to us it seems so but for the others we are talking aloud) until late, the ones who leave the lights on and early in the morning we rummage through our backpacks and make noise. (some could say that we are also the ones who use mint essential oil)
@trecile , I'm kidding too
I never had to argue for a closed or open window. Of course, I also prefer a re-circulation of air in the room, regardless of the number of people occupying it. For me it is synonymous with healthiness.
In my family's houses it has always been like this, even in winter.
Now I say so, but when I was a child and I woke up, wrapped in that pleasant warmth under the covers,
when I got up I made an impressive speedy gonzales's sprint to reach the bathroom (hot).
My room looked like an igloo ..... blessed my grandmother!
But I'll be careful on my next steps and I'll try to figure out if there are any French people in my room
I'm half Italian, but I'd say not...my grandma was full blooded and she was rather curmudgeony...just sayin.Are all Italians so funny?
Hi Chris,I'm half Italian, but I'd say not...my grandma was full blooded and she was rather curmudgeony...just sayin.
I think she did take a photo and already posted it on the covid humor thread today.Hi Chris,
My daughter lives in Tuscan...and she thinks all Italians are hilarious...
Yesterday she saw an elderly man riding a moped without a stitch of clothes on!!!
Shame she didn't take a photo!
Somehow I still don't think he would have left...unless you have really big feet.How disrespectful!
I would have diplomatically booted that young fellow out of the room.
Never have a window open and never go outdoors. The idea of being in open spaces, top of hills and in woods, walking along is awful.......wait a cotton picking minute
I would like to be able to take a bunk of my choice, but I have been in albergues where I was assigned to a bed, without choice.Good post domigee. I have nothing else to do at the moment either (except research my potential Camino Norte trip for hopefully next year). On the Frances in 2015, I also found myself needing air several times during the first few nights on the Camino, and actually played the 'open and close' game a couple nights with some other pilgrims. I soon learned that the best action was to walk early, be one of the first to arrive at the albergue each afternoon, and stake out a bed nearest the window, so i could a) monitor whether it is open or closed, and b) occasionally stick my head outside for a few deep breaths when necessary.
I think it has more to do with body temperature and how cold people are vs nationality.I recently read (but cannot find the thread any more) that some of you thought the French were notorious for insisting on closed windows at night.
I am French. And one of my biggest bugbears sleeping in albergues was not the snoring, the lights on at 5 am, the plastic bags.... It was this closing the windows!!!
I need, especially when I sleep with another 8 to 10 people at night, the window open! I have even been known to tie the window open to my bed with my washing line!!! Honestly, it was sooooo hot and it wasn’t healthy to keep it shut, as well as suffocating!
I never asked the nationality of the pilgrims who insisted on shutting it, one sure thing is that they weren’t French. On all my Caminos, I have only made friends with two French people, one was sleeping in a tent, the other one wanted the window open, like me. No question.
So as a matter of interest, and because I have nothing else to do at the moment, what on earth made you think we French like the windows shut???
I’ve been travelling through Europe for decades, usually staying in hostels or other group sleeping situation and have come to the conclusion that all Europeans are night air phobic. The French are more insistent, the Germans are more vociferous, but it’s pretty much a continental attitude. I’m always so happy with Aussies or Canadians in the room, as I know the window will remain open all night. Otherwise I make sure I’m by a window. Did stay at an albergue in Arzua last year that had no windows at all! Needless to say it was a sleepless night.Similar attitudes can prevail in the UK, usually in previous generations : "don't sit in a draught/draft, you might catch a cold".
Is it a folk-memory of this ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miasm...fic_theories#Biology']obsolete medical theorythat held that diseases—such as cholera, chlamydia, or the Black Death—were caused by a miasma (μίασμα, Ancient Greek for "pollution"), a noxious form of "bad air", also known as night air."
Not surprised. Some albergues are notorious for that kind of behaviour, the one in Villafranca come to mind. Any place where there’s a lot of men and very few women, beware.The albergue of the Benedictine nuns at Leon had three dormitories: women, men and couples. But when I last stayed there, one young man insisted on spending considerable time in the women's dormitory while we were trying to get undressed for bed. He had claimed a plug for his personal use in charging his phone, and refused to leave the room.
Hmmmm. I’ve stayed in albergues with men (often cyclists) who wore no night clothes and brought no sleeping bag to lighten their load. Of course they wanted the windows closed.This is probably one of the biggest reasons for the "window open/window closed" issue. I hadn't thought of that before.
Hhhhmmmm mosquitoes - without screens. now that’s worthy of another window story threadAnd here was I thinking that it was the Korean ladies that kept shutting the windowsI am a Kiwi and I definitely wanted them open until the mosquitoes started coming in and then I also closed them after the German lady opened them.
Mosquitoes on the Camino Frances? Where? On well over 100 nights on Caminos between June and November I have never encountered a mosquito. Not one and never one in an albergue. Only time I ever encountered biting insects is the occasional horsefly or biting gnat when walking past livestock, but that is to be expected.And here was I thinking that it was the Korean ladies that kept shutting the windowsI am a Kiwi and I definitely wanted them open until the mosquitoes started coming in and then I also closed them after the German lady opened them.
Oh sorry I misunderstood. No, in my story it was altogether a different matter...I hope that I have not given you the wrong impression. As far as I could see, this young man's only interest was getting his phone charged.
At home (Australia/Thailand) we sleep with windows closed.
In fact they are rarely open. Mosquitoes! I am a magnet for them.
I can't imagine leaving the windows open at night (even with screens)
Me too...I know!Right now I would love, love, love, to be back on camino, windows open or closed. I think . . .
I have never encountered a mosquito in Spain either, but I prefer them to the dastardly flies in the fall when I pass by newly-turned fields and they fly into my face or they mistake their reflection in my sunglasses for a potential mate and won’t take No!! for an answer.BTW, I have walked five caminos and have never encountered even one mosquito in Spain or France during April and May.
I have never encountered those dastardly flies because I've always walked in spring so guess I'll stay with that routine...if I ever get released from jail.I have never encountered a mosquito in Spain either, but I prefer them to the dastardly flies in the fall when I pass by newly-turned fields and they fly into my face or they mistake their reflection in my sunglasses for a potential mate and won’t take No!! for an answer.
I guess you have A/C?At home (Australia/Thailand) we sleep with windows closed.
In fact they are rarely open. Mosquitoes! I am a magnet for them.
I can't imagine leaving the windows open at night (even with screens)
That happened to me once also, but I simply waited until the nun left the room, and then I moved to where I wanted to be.I would like to be able to take a bunk of my choice, but I have been in albergues where I was assigned to a bed, without choice.
Hmmmm. As someone who’s had double knee replacements, I always call ahead to reserve a bottom bunk. Often there’s a good reason for those assigned bunks.That happened to me once also, but I simply waited until the nun left the room, and then I moved to where I wanted to be.
And more often, it's just a matter of Pilgrim #1 is assigned bunk #1, Pilgrim #2 is assigned bunk #2, etc. That's how it's done in the big municipal albergues in Burgos, O Cebreiro, and other places too.Hmmmm. As someone who’s had double knee replacements, I always call ahead to reserve a bottom bunk. Often there’s a good reason for those assigned bunks.
I can understand your fear. However, you are not at home. Thieves would have an easier time getting access to pilgrims' goods by posing as one and paying 5 to 15 euros to spend the night amongst the goodies.the idea of sleeping with windows open scares the hell out of me.
Thank you for this. In 2019, we walked the Chemin D'Arles from Toulouse to Somport, and guess what? The French are friendly, helpful, polite, tolerant of bad French and quite happy to speak their pretty good English. And we definitely didn't have any problems with keeping the windows open. God help you if you try to order lunch after 1 pm though.I recently read (but cannot find the thread any more) that some of you thought the French were notorious for insisting on closed windows at night.
I am French. And one of my biggest bugbears sleeping in albergues was not the snoring, the lights on at 5 am, the plastic bags.... It was this closing the windows!!!
I need, especially when I sleep with another 8 to 10 people at night, the window open! I have even been known to tie the window open to my bed with my washing line!!! Honestly, it was sooooo hot and it wasn’t healthy to keep it shut, as well as suffocating!
I never asked the nationality of the pilgrims who insisted on shutting it, one sure thing is that they weren’t French. On all my Caminos, I have only made friends with two French people, one was sleeping in a tent, the other one wanted the window open, like me. No question.
So as a matter of interest, and because I have nothing else to do at the moment, what on earth made you think we French like the windows shut???
Thank you for that nice comment!Thank you for this. In 2019, we walked the Chemin D'Arles from Toulouse to Somport, and guess what? The French are friendly, helpful, polite, tolerant of bad French and quite happy to speak their pretty good English. And we definitely didn't have any problems with keeping the windows open. God help you if you try to order lunch after 1 pm though.
Yep, lunch was hard to come by on the Le Puy...but the gite dinners were "to die for". I don't think I lost any weight that particular year.Thank you for that nice comment!
Had to laugh about your last sentence thoughSo true!
Shhhh... I want to walk through France again, ... just to lose weight!
I didn’t walk the Le Puy, I walked through Northern France from Calais to Besançon. Most days we went without breakfast or lunch, evening meal was often ‘Meh’Yep, lunch was hard to come by on the Le Puy...but the gite dinners were "to die for". I don't think I lost any weight that particular year.
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