It’s a very common concern for those walking their first Camino.\u00a0 And understandably.<\/p>\n
There seems to be three ‘approaches to Camino accommodation.<\/p>\n
But what if?\u00a0 What if it all goes wrong?<\/p>\n
There are always options.\u00a0 Get a bus or taxi to another village.\u00a0 Go with an alternative style of accommodation.<\/p>\n
Most of the stories that seem to send fear amongst newbie Pilgrims are I believe, not related to not being able to find a bed.\u00a0 But rather that people could not find the type of accommodation they wanted, in the exact location they wanted, at the price they wanted.\u00a0 \u00a0I’m a relative Newbie.\u00a0 But in 3,000 kms of Caminos, I have never had an issue in getting a bed.\u00a0 \u00a0OK, in 2018, Zubiri on the Camino Frances ( a known choke point) was totally booked out, and some people had to bus to Pamplona.\u00a0 But that is the only time I can think of.<\/p>\n
So here is a funny and quite typical Camino Story.<\/p>\n
I was walking the Via de a Plata (VdlP).\u00a0 My first of the more remote Caminos and I was loving it.<\/p>\n
The landscapes, the solitude, it was just what I needed.\u00a0 Not many Pilgrims walk the VdlP.\u00a0 And I think there were about 15 Pilgrims walking the same stages as me.\u00a0 \u00a0That is, on any one day, there might have been 10-15 Pilgrims walking to the same place as me.<\/p>\n
So accommodation was not really a problem.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0There was a great range of accommodation types and the only challenge was early in the walk, as Semana Santa was still underway. (Easter Celebrations).\u00a0 Accommodation gets booked out due to family reunions etc.<\/p>\n
At this stage I was walking for a few days, with a delightful couple I had met.\u00a0 We’ll call them John and Susan. Both veterans of many Caminos and great people to be with.\u00a0 A huge plus was that Susan spoke almost fluent Spanish.\u00a0 (Not much English is spoken along the VdlP)<\/p>\n
We had just arrived in Galisteo, a lovely old walled town.\u00a0 There were not many accommodation options but we had called the day before to book a couple of rooms at a ‘Pension’.\u00a0 There was one Albergue with 8 beds. and our Pension, with 5 rooms.\u00a0 \u00a0 (and there are 10-15 Pilgrims on our stage at a guess)\u00a0 After a few Albergue nights, we were looking forward to staying in the Pension.\u00a0 Private rooms, a washing machine, a good nights sleep without disruption.\u00a0 And a bakery next door!<\/p>\n
On the way into the town, was a bar\u00a0 \/ cafe that was open for lunch.\u00a0 So once we had checked in, we went back there for lunch.\u00a0 This also put us on the way into town, so we would see any other Pilgrims arriving.\u00a0 I think by the time we got there and ordered drinks there were 8 of us.\u00a0 People we had already met, or at least faces we knew.<\/p>\n
Then Hans arrived.\u00a0 Tired, very sweaty, but obviously loving every minute.\u00a0 Always had a smile on his face! Hans joined us for lunch of course.<\/p>\n
At some stage, the conversation then went like this:<\/p>\n
“Where are you staying Hans”?<\/p>\n
“Oh, I don’t know yet”……..<\/p>\n
A few glances passed across the table.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n “Jenny, you’re staying at the Albergue.\u00a0 Do they have beds left”?<\/p>\n “No………it’s full”<\/p>\n “That’s OK Hans, we are staying at the pension and I’m sure they have a room.\u00a0 Come back with us after lunch”<\/p>\n So now 4, with Hans, we headed back to the Pension after lunch.\u00a0 \u00a0There was nobody there, so Susan called the owner to organise a room for Hans.<\/p>\n At the end of the call she looked worried.<\/p>\n “They are full Hans.\u00a0 And there is nowhere else to stay”<\/p>\n Hans declared he would just walk to the next town 10 kms further on.\u00a0 And thanked us for trying to help him out.<\/p>\n Glances passed between John, Susan and I.\u00a0 And I knew exactly what they were thinking but they were far too polite to mention it.<\/p>\n So of course I said………….<\/p>\n “Hans, there are two beds in my room.\u00a0 You’re welcome to join me”.<\/p>\n And all was well.<\/p>\n I didn’t get a great nights sleep as I think Hans is on the Dutch National Snoring Team.\u00a0 But hey!\u00a0 \u00a0Pilgrims look after each other and he was a lovely guy……..<\/p>\n We had a good laugh about it.<\/p>\n So the moral of the story is, don’t worry too much about finding a bed.<\/p>\n Do your planning.\u00a0 \u00a0Think ahead.\u00a0 But if all else fails, something will turn up.\u00a0 No one gets left behind.<\/p>\n