little hiccups along the way

[another]

We are doing the camino right now(03/April/2010) and we just arrived in Zubiri. We had great experience from one town to the other except at Roncesvalles albergue. It was the worst hospitality offered by a DUTCH guy who thinks he owns the whole show! He was rude, intimidating and ignorant! If he was going to work in an industry where he will be dealing with different nationalities, race and cultures, then he really needs to learn not to assume or giving other people like me who came from another country/race/culture an aggresive look and attitude where I felt so offended and threatened that I had to leave the place before my time, in the cold rain! My question is why bother working ín a hospitality industry when you can´t be hospitable?

[Covey]

Sorry to hear you had a rough time at Roncesvalles. The people who work in the Barn are volunteers from various nations who are mostly retired, and spend some time along the Camino helping in Albergues. They clean the building and the toilets/showers and sort out pilgrims and their problems.

I found last year that the cold edge of commercialism was overtaking the Camino in places, especially where Pilgrims were being charged more in some bars than the local customers were having to pay. Spain is about to go through a great deal of economic pain as their unemployment is 25% and climbing rapidly, and in places along the Way, were it not for the Camino, there would be little economic life, ie in Hontonas.

Logic would dictate that they would look after the customers they have, but this year they know it will be crowded with pilgrims who will never return, so why not overcharge and have a short fuse!!

Enjoy, and Buen Camino.

[another]

[QUOTE=Covey;4491]Sorry to hear you had a rough time at Roncesvalles. The people who work in the Barn are volunteers from various nations who are mostly retired, and spend some time along the Camino helping in Albergues. They clean the building and the toilets/showers and sort out pilgrims and their problems.

I found last year that the cold edge of commercialism was overtaking the Camino in places, especially where Pilgrims were being charged more in some bars than the local customers were having to pay. Spain is about to go through a great deal of economic pain as their unemployment is 25% and climbing rapidly, and in places along the Way, were it not for the Camino, there would be little economic life, ie in Hontonas.

Logic would dictate that they would look after the customers they have, but this year they know it will be crowded with pilgrims who will never return, so why not overcharge and have a short fuse!!


That is fair enough, I just felt like I was being attacked for something I didnt commit. It was a fierce look and I
wasnt expecting 5 stars service but a friendly gesture would be much appreciated.
And the fact that I had to go outside in the middle of cold wet morning to put my shoes knowing I was being watched
by this hawk makes it so inconvenient to start the long day.

Thank you for replying and Gratias

[Tanya Yaksich]

Hi, What a nice forum this is. I was reading these same comments on another forum last night, and the responses were not nice. They ranged from disbelief "Another" experienced such rudeness ,to condescending comments such as " he has only written one post so he is not to be trusted" , "maybe his comments should be removed" !!
There was also quite a lot of talk of thieving going on, has anyone heard anything about that??
Cheers Tanya

[Covey]

I occasionally hear of items going missing in albergues such as ipod's and small cameras but all these incidents tend to be in the large albergues in towns where it is difficult to control who goes in and out of the buildings. Usually the item which goes missing was left on top of the bunk whilst the owner was away having a beer.

Some rucksacks have a detachable "pod" which acts as a bum bag when you are off wandering around which is a good idea. ALWAYS carry your National & Pilgrim passport, and your money and cash cards on your person at all times.

Thank you for your kind comments regarding the Forum. The only times I have had to delete posts is where they have been used as spam or links to the inevitable sex sites. I have never had to bar a post because I have felt it is rude or the comments unwarranted, which shows that the Forum and all those who post must be doing something right.

We all have a common interest and that is the Camino and all its Ways. Those who have walked the Way before are very happy to encourage and help those who are planning to go for the first time. The Camino is quite a daunting prospect when viewed from the other side of the world, or by those who have never done a long distance trek before, and if they find their way to this Forum, I hope they will feel they are amongst friends.

[Tanya Yaksich]

Thanks for your remarks Covey.
I am sure i will meet other Pilgrims who have used this site. Do you have any emblems that denote this site that one can attach to ones backpack??It would be nice to identify others from the forum. Now i must pray that the volcano does not disrupt too many travel plans!!
Bye from Downunder Tanya