The Camino starts at your doorstep and ends at Santiago de Compostela. From France it is a long established and well marked route. Actually, it's typically two routes - parallel - a foot path and a secondary asphalt road. Sometimes they are the same and hikers walk the road, and seldom are they more than 200m apart. The markings are a yellow scallop shell on a blue field, or just a yellow arrow. It's great because they lead you through cities, towns and villages taking you on the most scenic and historic path. You can walk, or ride, with your head up and don't have to constantly consult a map.
At least every few miles there is an albergue (hostel - refugio). Albergues are directly on the camino. You step off the camino and through the door. The next morning you step back out and you're on the camino. They are well marked and although I am not certain, it looks as though you must have a pilgrims credential (passport) to stay in one. The alberque stamps your passport as proof of your travel on the camino.
There are three types of alberques: parochial - operated by a religious order, municipal, and private - owned and operated usually by a family. Alberques are typically $5, 8 or $10 Euro/night, however many are by donation. You get a bunk, or cot. In busy summer months, as a late arriver, you may only get a mat on the floor. All facilities are communal with shared kitchen, toilets and showers. By my reckoning in larger albergues (60 to 200) the ratio of toilet/shower to pilgrim is about 25:1.
The pilgrim is assigned a bunk with 1 sheet and pillowcase - maybe a blanket. I have a fleece stuff bag cocoon. No towels provided. You are welcome to bring your own food and some albergues will serve meals for $3 -8 Euro more. You get a sense that this is an ages old system.
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| Alburgue - Pamplona |
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