Wynette. Tonight we are in the tiny village of Torres del Rio and staying in a private room in an albergue named “La Pata de Oca”, “The Foot of the Goose”. (Our room is more like a hotel room but we get to use the albergue facilities like washing machine and patio and visit with the other pilgrims.) Last night we stayed in slightly less tiny village of Los Arcos in a private room in the albergue La Fuente de Austria (or something like that). Tonight’s place is pretty and comfortable (photo above), private bath, and costs 40 euros including a small breakfast. Last night’s was awful and cost 41 euros. A saggy bed crammed between 3 walls in a tiny room. Bathroom down a steep flight of stairs. No top sheets or towels. Shabby everything. Unhelpful hospitalero. We forgot to take a picture, dang it. We are amazed what a difference for the same price. Next time we reserve a private room we’ll be sure to ask if sheets and towels are included. Of course most pilgrims stay in albergues in a room full of bunkbeds (snorers are legendary), no sheets, etc. We did bring sleeping sacks and tiny backpack towels for the times we need to stay in albergues. In a few places, that will be our only option. But mostly we are having it easier than for most pilgrims and are working on taking what comes without too much complaint. I admire those who do that well.
Patio of La Pata de Oca:
The lavadora on the patio:
Our clean laundry outside our room window:
A very cheerful, neat and comfortable looking room. Makes me think of Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings. A pleasant stop along the way.
It was so cheerful. We loved it.
Are you just showing up in these little towns and looking for a place to stay (maybe with the help of a guidebook)? Or do you book at the start of the day by calling ahead, using suggestions from a guidebok or TripAdvisor? Or do you have some other strategy?
And what do you do if you arrive someplace and everything is full — maybe unlikely at this time of year, but always possible?
We’ve been reserving one day ahead. Things are pretty full. We have called quite a few places and were told “completo”. We had a hard time finding a place in Estella, but finally did. I think we could have stayed in an albergue. Estella was the only town where it was really difficult. I think because it was the weekend and Estella is popular with Spanish folks on holiday.
Luckily this hasn’t happened yet. I’ve heard of pilgrims being put up on mattresses on floors in public buildings. Getting a taxi to another town is also an option. Even the smallest town usually has a little taxi service and not too expensive.