September 13
After the commotion of being reunited, we register and get our credencials stamped. Then, in short order, we settle in at our assigned beds and lockers, shower, and bring our muddy, soaking wet clothes to the basement laundry (where volunteers do it for you!).
The refugio is modern, utilitarian in design, and very clean. There are lounges scattered around, a vending machine room, and a dining room (no food or drinks allowed in the dormitories) that basically looks like a small cafeteria minus the food line. Although the showers still require repeated pushes of the button, you don't get cut off at five minutes. This refugio seems a steal at ten euros per person.
Since we never got to eat the baguette sandwiches we bought at the auberge (there's nothing but countryside between Orisson and Roncesvalles)--which were all in my backpack--for lunch, we take them to the Posado bar, where we buy drinks to go with them. Besides talking up a storm about the day, we journal, check e-mail, and visit with people who stop by our table to discuss the misadventure.
We call it an early night, just relaxing in our four-bed cubby. (Our cubby-mate is a young Irishman.) I do go fetch our laundry and pop into the shoe room to change the newspaper stuffed in my boots to absorb the water.
By 8:00, this large refugio is packed. Quite a different experience from the quaint little auberge. There are hundreds of beds here, divided among three large rooms. Mix the activity, noise, and smells...well, some things are better not shared. The bathrooms have lines and every available surface is hung with drying or airing clothes and gear--bunks, locker doors, window shutters and sills. Still, it's all part of the Camino.
At 10:00, it's lights out. Thank goodness smart phones are backlit so I can catch up on posts as I lie awake in the middle of the night.
The pictures below are from mid-afternoon, before the tidal wave of pilgrims arrived.
After the commotion of being reunited, we register and get our credencials stamped. Then, in short order, we settle in at our assigned beds and lockers, shower, and bring our muddy, soaking wet clothes to the basement laundry (where volunteers do it for you!).
The refugio is modern, utilitarian in design, and very clean. There are lounges scattered around, a vending machine room, and a dining room (no food or drinks allowed in the dormitories) that basically looks like a small cafeteria minus the food line. Although the showers still require repeated pushes of the button, you don't get cut off at five minutes. This refugio seems a steal at ten euros per person.
Since we never got to eat the baguette sandwiches we bought at the auberge (there's nothing but countryside between Orisson and Roncesvalles)--which were all in my backpack--for lunch, we take them to the Posado bar, where we buy drinks to go with them. Besides talking up a storm about the day, we journal, check e-mail, and visit with people who stop by our table to discuss the misadventure.
We call it an early night, just relaxing in our four-bed cubby. (Our cubby-mate is a young Irishman.) I do go fetch our laundry and pop into the shoe room to change the newspaper stuffed in my boots to absorb the water.
By 8:00, this large refugio is packed. Quite a different experience from the quaint little auberge. There are hundreds of beds here, divided among three large rooms. Mix the activity, noise, and smells...well, some things are better not shared. The bathrooms have lines and every available surface is hung with drying or airing clothes and gear--bunks, locker doors, window shutters and sills. Still, it's all part of the Camino.
At 10:00, it's lights out. Thank goodness smart phones are backlit so I can catch up on posts as I lie awake in the middle of the night.
The pictures below are from mid-afternoon, before the tidal wave of pilgrims arrived.
Aunt Karen--I am enjoying your blog! It sounds like you guys are off to a great start! I can't wait to hear the other side of the story when you were separated. How scary! I am thinking of you guys and praying for an amazing journey/experience! Maria
ReplyDeleteBeth,Is that you sitting on your bunk playing with your cell phone?
ReplyDelete