Albergues a/k/a Refugios

[Rosina Lila]

Hello you all,
    The San Saturnino albergue in Pamplona closes today for renovations and
will be unavailable until September 1.  In its place the polideportivo
facilities of Amauir college will accommodate pilgrims.  The new Orden de
Malta of lower Cizur albergue has opened and will remain available until the
fifteenth of September.
    12,000 pilgrims (2,000 more than last year) have so far used the
Roncesvalles refugio.  In addition to its castle-like albergues  the
Colegiata has set up seven large tents to accomodate pilgrims this summer.
The tents are equipped with bathrooms, showers, etc.
    The Xunta de Galicia (a state administrative body)  has reported that
30,410 pilgrims used albergues in the province of Galicia during  the month
of June, 2002,  (4,703 more than in June 2001).  Of these, 27,642 followed
the French Way; 1,179 came from Fisterra and Muxia, 800 followed the
Portuguese way; 426 the Northern Way, 321 the Silver Way and 42 the English
Way.
    These figures represent only those pilgrims who stayed at the various
albergues; the numbers do not include pilgrims who stayed at hostels, inns,
hotels etc.
    It might be significant to point out that the traditional European
"vacation season"
takes place during July and August; consequently a very large increase in the
number of pilgrims during these two months is expected.

    Some of you will remember Ana Young, an erstwhile frequent contributor to
this serv-list.  After concluding her work in Japan, the California native
went directly to Jaca, walked from Jaca to Pamplona, and yesterday commenced
her pilgrimage from Roncesvalles to Santiago, a route that she has walked
before and which she simply adores..
    Ana found the Jaca-Pamplona walk different and difficult, although she
reports that the albergues were "superb". Apparently she prefers routes with
lots and lots of pilgrims, which the so called "Aragonese" way does not have.
As for me, the relative peace and quiet of the Aragonese way, bordered by
majestic mountains and breath-taking monuments, monasteries, churches, etc.,
makes it my favorite, hands-down.

Well, regards to all
Rosina