competition for beds

[Barry Sloan]

Hola,

I did the Camino this July and arrived in Santiago on the 23rd, along with
several thousand other pilgrims.  I began in St. Jean in late June and the
feeling was much different; there were plenty of beds so you didn't feel the
need to race ahead to secure a spot.  By the time I arrived at Astorga,
things had picked up considerably and I found myself falling into the trap
of looking at other pilgrims as competition.  After Cebreiro, I gave up the
rat race and used my guide book and cell phone to call ahead and book rooms
at hostals or hotels.  This was a great relief to my spirit as it left me
free to pray and meditate and think on good things other than where and if I
would secure a place for the night.  I can also tell you that stepping into
a shower, a cold shower, after 20 or so other perigrinos, is not a thing you
want to do very often.  The big celebration on the 25th of July in Santiago
was nice to see, better if you like crowds, but I would not suggest doing
the Camino in peak season.  I couldn't get over the feeling that I had come
too late, that the Camino is turning into a tourist activity other than a
personal / spiritual journey.  Too many perigrinos takes away from the
feeling

Last week I took a road trip from southern Spain, where I live, to northern
Spain.  I wanted to show my family how beautiful, and different, northern
Spain is.  Part of our trip took us along parts of the Camino.  The weather
was cool and brisk, and the fall foliage was in full splendor.  I saw very
few pilgrims on the way.  I envied everyone of them.

My next Camino will be in the Fall or Spring.  I want to avoid the big
crowds next time.  I can't handle the thought of one more bus pulling up and
disgorging 70 to 80 tittering teenagers.

If you are going in peak season don't fall into the trap that I did and get
caught up in the race for beds.  Rooms in Spain are very reasonable.  I felt
that someone who really needed a cheap bed for the night was getting my
space in the refugio.  Besides, the warm and private shower or bath, and the
clean sheets, are a luxury you will really enjoy after a long day on the
Camino.

Barry K. Sloan







 -----Original Message-----
From:   Road to Santiago Pilgrimage [mailto:GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU]  On Behalf
Of Barry Evans
Sent:   Friday, November 16, 2001 3:37 PM
To:     GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU
Subject:        competition for beds

Lisa wrote, "I found myself caught up in a rush of folks every
morning scrambling
to get ready and leave the refugio - almost marching onward - to the
next
one so they would get a bed.  This initially, was  most disconcerting
for
me.  I am not a competitive person..."

Yeah, we know what you mean. we'd had this very long day, leaving
Sahagun at 5.30 am (it didn't get light until after 7!) and arriving
38 km. later in Manzilla around 4 pm, only to find about 50 people in
the courtyard of the refugio and the hospitaldero not expected to
arrive until 5. And only about 30 beds there! Something would have to
give.
I remember sitting there feeling sad, anticipating the scramble for
beds with fellow peregrinos. Just didn't want to get into that scene,
so my wife and I and a great friend we'd made on the way found us a
cheap room, well worth the 8 or 9 bucks each to avoid the discomfort
of refugio competition. That was the only time that happened, feeling
competition for bed space, but we did (and do) wonder, If this is
what it's like in mid-september, what's it like in july and august?
barry

=====
Barry Evans    (707) 476 8317
217 Second Street, Eureka, CA 95501

Check out our camino photos: http://us.geocities.com/barryevans9/camino

"Is it possible that we're actually okay?"

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