[Gocamino] Our Camino 2009

[patrush1 at verizon.net]

When I walked the Camino in 2005 I had no problems.  Nor did I encounter any bug problems on the LePuy route in 2006 or the Via de la Plata last year. I always use a silk sleeping bag liner, even if sheets and blankets look clean, so that may have protected me.   I have heard that the bugs are more prevalent late in the season because of the hordes of people who come through the refugios.  I'm sure the refugio operators are aware of the problems; I have heard that many close down and are fumigated during the winter.  But, be aware that many very expensive hotels in New York have had bed bugs; people bring them in and the bugs are very difficult to eradicate, especially since DDT is no longer legal in the US.  I'm really sorry that you were so badly affected by the beasties.  I don't consider them part of the "Camino experience" although certainly our pilgrim ancestors must have suffered from bed bugs, body lice, scabies and the other afflictions
 that beset people in the middle ages and renaissance.  

Patricia, upstate NY




________________________________
From: Littles Llamas <et at zianet.com>
To: Gocamino <gocamino at oakapple.net>
Sent: Sunday, October 18, 2009 10:58:23 PM
Subject: [Gocamino] Our Camino 2009

We just completed our second Camino from Roncesvalles to Santiago.We hiked the Camino in 2006 and took 34 days to complete the trip.We had such a great experience the first time we decided to return once more.
We are 65 and 68 years old and are avid hikers. Our Camino experience this trip was mared by the infestation of bed bugs in many of the Albuguergues. We experienced the horror of the bugs ourselves on numerous nights. We went to the Pharmacy's and ask for assistance. We purchased creams for the bites as well as spray insect repellants which we used every single night to try to keep the bed bugs off of us.
We encountered pilgrim after pilgrim that were bitten hundreds of times and ended up in the emergency rooms for treatment. Many had to take steroids as well as antihistamines. Some chose to discontinue their Camino trip.
We spoke with some hikers who think the bugs are a part of being a pilgrim on the Camino.
When we hiked the Camino in 2006 we had only one occasion when we had bed bugs and that was a private Albuguergue in Puenta La Reina.
Worse yet when we did arrive in Santiago and got a Pension guess what? It was also infested with bed bugs.
Something must be done to rid the Albuguergues of the bed bug infestation.
It needs to be talked about and the Spanish health departments need to establish a plan to solve this problem.
What say all you Pilgrims?

Pat Little
New Mexico USA
et at zianet.com
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