Snoring!

[Tox]

I have read about the need for earplugs to mute out the snorers. But how about tips for those of us who snore? Should I be expecting some swift kicks every night? Should I always look for the bed in the far corner?

I know it's irritating, but there's nothing I can do about it and hope any potential friends won't be scared away.

Also, are the snorers you hear in the alburgues those of the viciously loud sort?

[Covey]

The worse snorer I ever heard in an Albergue was female!! For sheer power of delivery, she would have won a gold at the Olympics.

It has been rumored by some of my traveling companions on the Camino, that on occasions I have snored, but I dismiss these accusations for the simple reason that I have never heard myself snore, so how could it be true!!!!!!!!!!!!

When you are very tired after a long days walk and having partaken of the odd cold beer to recover a sense of feeling below the knees, most people seem to snort and snuffle a little!!

[grayland]

Actually, you should try to seek out an area that would be least disrupting as a matter of courtesy.
Sleeping is difficult at best in albergues and those (most) people sensitive to loud snoring get very little sleep after a long hard day...and trying to prepare for the next one. It is not "irritating" to these people...they are not annoyed they are desperate for sleep.
I really do not have any solution to the problem...but anything the snorer can do to help is better than nothing.
I have seen many people avoid going into a albergue when a known (they do get infamous) snorer is seen.

[Covey]

I did come across a private albergue with a "snorers room" and a "5am starters room" but cannot for the life of me remember where. The early starters room is an excellent idea as there is no social stigma associated with starting early, provided of course that you do not awaken everybody else in the albergue.

[grayland]

I can't think of a more self-centered oblivious group than the early starters that get up at 5am or before and actually turn on the lights. They talk loudly with no thought that others are not racing for a bed with them.
I have seen them confronted and still have no remorse....just that it is their right to do whatever they care to.
Probably the same people who steal the toilet paper roll to take with them on the path.

[Tox]

It sounds there can be quite a few conflicts and confrontations out there! It's interesting hearing those stories.

Well, I will do my best to be courteous. I'm certainly not as bad as that gold medalist Covey mentioned, but I will bring along whatever "anti-snoring aids" I can. These have helped in the past.

...and I do NOT want to become infamous for snoring!

[EFDoucette]

Everyone snores. Admit it. Just try to sleep on your side the best you can. Those that are bothered should wear earplugs. Be happy.

[grayland]

Everyone snores. Admit it. Just try to sleep on your side the best you can. Those that are bothered should wear earplugs. Be happy.

Simply not true! "Everyone" does not snore loudly and disturb others. Anyone who has slept in albergues knows this.
Sounds like disdain for those who are disturbed.

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Tox --

I feel for you! A dear British friend I met on my camino last month used an "anti snoring spray" that must be something like this: Amazon.com: Snore Hush - Anti-Snoring Spray - By Lab88 - Made in the USA - Easy Spray Formula: Health & Personal Care and it seemed to help. He began each evening by apologizing in advance to his roommates and informing them he was trying this spray and hoping it would work so he wouldn't bother their sleep. That seemed to mollify some of the most vociferous anti-snorers.

Having now walked 3 caminos here's how I deal with snoring: 1) I assume there will be snorers in my albergue room, 2) I determine to not let their snoring bother me, 3) I receive with humility the comments of other who tell me I'm a "quiet, occasional snorer" rather than a snorer of the louder variety and I feel for people who are ostracized because of something they can't easily control, 4) I stifle my laughter at the louder snorers who often are wearing earplugs to protect them from the snoring of others, 5) I refuse to disrespect older, overweight men who often are targeted as snorers whether they snore or not, especially since I've now seen many lovely women who can snore with the best of men, and 6) over time I've learned that a quiet night without snoring seems odd and un-albergue-like, and I'm thankful for the sound effects that remind me of the joys of sleeping with strangers in the ongoing fellowship of the camino.

Good luck with your efforts to protect the sleep of others. You are to be appreciated for your kindness and compassion.

[EFDoucette]

Simply not true! "Everyone" does not snore loudly and disturb others. Anyone who has slept in albergues knows this.
Sounds like disdain for those who are disturbed.

Ouch!
Not everyone snores loudly but everyone snores at least occasionally. Anyone sleeping on their back will snore.

[HuskyNerd]

Ouch!
Not everyone snores loudly but everyone snores at least occasionally. Anyone sleeping on their back will snore.

I have to agree. Any non-snorer can become a snorer if he/she has a head cold or sore throat.

[Lipka149]

What a great discussion !

Tox, you are a true gentleman. The consideration you have for others speaks well of you. I slept with a snorer for many years and the most effective solution we found was the anti-snoring spray Sandy mentioned. Sleeping on your side works ok, but flopping over on your back is hard not to do. Try a tennis ball taped to your back.

There are indeed albergues with rooms set aside for those who snore. You might ask about it when you check in. Small rooms are the worst for those who cannot sleep with a snorer. When staying in smaller rooms (2-12 people) It might be fun to seek out the snorers and make your own "snorers room" ... but that assumes you yourself are not bothered by it. In larger rooms, snoring sounds more like a symphony than a percussion solo. Don't be concerned if you are part of the band.

Perhaps a hand written sign that you hang on your bed that says "If I am snoring, please shake me and ask me to roll over" ? Advising your companions verbally seems to be a good thing too ...

It is what it is, Tox. You are doing the best that you can. Hopefully others that read this will be inclined to do likewise. I suspect that what you will give to others along the Way will more than compensate for the tolerance you humbly ask for. Buen Camino !

[Lipka149]

It sounds there can be quite a few conflicts and confrontations out there! It's interesting hearing those stories.

Don't worry too much about the conflicts and confrontations, Tox. Snoring is a hot topic and must be taken with a grain of salt. When you see the incredible generosity and sacrifice and selfless giving that takes place along the Way, the "Music of the Night" will take its proper place in your experience.

It's just easier to talk about the trivial when so much of significance is taking place within.

The worst snorer I encountered, the only one who drove me out of the room, was a 300 pound Frenchman in Triacastela. It was the first time I had seen him on the trail. Figured he did not have a chance to make it all the way to Santiago. Saw him several times as we made our way there and the guy was really huffing and puffing ... but he kept on going ! Saw him the last time ... in Santiago ! Wanted to throw my arms around him and just hug the big lug. Never learned his name ... but I'm remembering him now and thinking of him with great fondness. I doubt if I will ever see him in this world, but can't wait to look him up in the next and confront him with my complaint and give him that well deserved hug.

See why it is so much easier to talk about just the snoring ? <sigh>

I'll bet that everyone who complains about the snorers has a similar story. So if you happen to snore along the Way, I can assure you that there will be a hug awaiting you ... somewhere ...

[Tox]

Lipka149, thanks! That's a great story! I appreciate it. And grayland, no distain here for those disturbed by snorers. I'm sure I will be a victim as well as a perpetrator. It'll be fun!

[grayland]

Tox...I did not mean that you were anything but gracious and concerned. I admire your concern for others.

[ClaireB]

5) I refuse to disrespect older, overweight men who often are targeted as snorers whether they snore or not

So true! The worst snorer I encountered was a little Spanish guy but everyone groans when an overweight middle-aged guy walks in to the dorm!

Tox, my dad had shocking snoring and sleep apnea for years - sometimes the not breathing was worse than the deafening chainsaw rattle he could produce because you were worried he wouldn't start breathing again
He ended up having a special mouthguard fitted that pushes his lower jaw forward to stop his throat collapsing that little bit that caused his snoring and apnea - it's worked really well! Unfortunately he got it too late on to make up for all the sleepless family holidays!
and good on you for being so courteous and caring enough to worry about it affecting the sleep of others

He he, I confess I snore on occasion but it usually wakes me up if I do

[Leslie]

I am a snorer and I still hate others keeping me awake with their snoring...

I use ear plugs and do my best to get to sleep before others. Once asleep I can sleep through almost anything, just getting to sleep can be an issue with noise sometimes - however the ear plugs help greatly.

My snoring gets worse with hay fever or a cold and I think then it can be very loud. Once on the Camino Aragone someone woke me twice during the night by grabing my foot. I was so angry. This was only a day or so into the Aragone, I think the person will have made a lot of enemies if they kept that up once they joined the Frances - and this was in an albergue that was very large and had few people. No one declared it was them the next morning - I still find it hard to believe that someone I don't know would touch me during the night.

The cultural difference can be hard to understand sometimes. I lived in Austria for a while and would use the spa. Here people would fall asleep after using the pools and saunas. It would be considered polite to the person to nudge them to stop them embarrassing them self in public by snoring.