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Guide to the Worst Refuges on the Camino |
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jueves, 12 febrero 2004 |
You come across everything on the Camino. And in terms of refuges, you
will find all kinds. You will find postmodern refuges, luxurious ones,
others that are sparse. Some have impeccable facilities and
others…not quite so. There are those that are churchlike, private,
government-run, or association-run. Some are simple and nice while
others are a “bit” like barracks. But all provide a benefit for
pilgrims. They are all respectable and should be respected. If you do
not like one, you can leave or put up with it. Tomorrow will be another
day.
But among all the refuges there are some that are the worst. Yes, the worst:
They have no microwaves or washers. There is no telephone, no Coke
machines or cigarette vending machines, no internet! Just imagine! Many
of them do not even have beds and you have to sleep on the floor on
thin little mattresses. I mean, these refuges are the ones that you
should avoid at all cost because they are the most miserable ones on
the Camino. The Consumer Guide gives them two thumbs down.
But these refuges do have something special. They are run by people who
are devoted to pilgrims and who dinner and breakfast all together like
a family. Careful! They do not feed you, but all the pilgrims eat
together. If you are not careful, you will end up cooking spaghetti,
peeling onions, or running to buy bread. And if you do not get one of
those jobs, there is no way you will get out of doing the dishes! There
are not usually scheduled hours for arriving or leaving, and cyclists
have the same rights as those who walk, which is to say…none. Oh, I
almost forgot! In all of them you are invited to pray, if you want to,
of course, and God is thanked before eating. And, if you need to, there
is usually someone who will listen if you need to talk.
These refuges are:
- Arres. Pilgrim hostel
- Eunate. The house next to the hermitage
- Viana. Parish hall
- Grañón. Pilgrim hostel
- Tosantos. Parish house
- Bercianos del Real Camino. Parish refuge
- Foncebadón. Next to the church
If you are a normal and decent person, you will avoid these refuges by
any means necessary. But if you are a little crazy and you are looking
for something out of the ordinary, stop at these refuges and you will
not be sorry.
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