Albergues
One of the coolest things about El Camino is the lodging. Each day, our destination (being the lodging) is a place where the “trail-walking” ends, and rest and/or exploration begin. The hostels are so interesting to me because every single one is unique in some way. Our very first hostel, called the “Albergue de Jesus” was a small, homey place. It was what I imagined a hostel would be like…except for one factor that made it quite unique: the walls. When our group entered the main entrance, most of us were taken away by the words and drawings that surrounded the interior. There were quotes, signatures, funny sayings, posted dates, drawings…etc. The writing was in English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, and other languages that I simply did not recognize, which is symbolic of just how worldly the Camino is. Some of my favorites included: “No blisters. No love” (Which we discovered to be true), “Buen Camino, You magnificent baboons!” and a neat portrait of Jesus wearing a crown of thorns. Each hostel presented something different that made it stand out, ranging from décor to owners, animals, and the interesting people that filled the rooms each night. To me, Albergues on the Camino are memories made easy.
Katie MacDonald
Hokies hiking the Camino de Santiago 