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Albergue time warp

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‘It’s just a jump to the left, then a step to the right’. Life in Villadangos is simultaneously surprising and routine, and quite insulated like stepping into a time warp. I like it. There’s the laundry and folding sheets routine.  There’s the setting up for breakfast routine. And every so often, the need and opportunity to go to Leon for supplies and a little sightseeing. The cathedral is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. Leon has that delightful combination of the monumental and the boutique. This art gallery specialises in fine sketches.  Down the street, there is plaza with a medieval church and a contemporary restaurant. Let’s do the time warp again! The challenge with the morning bus trips into Leon is getting back for opening time at 2pm. That is the routine. Every group is the same in a pilgrim sort of way; and every group is surprising with different individuals and their stories. Their feedback is (mostly) heart warming, even from those with peculiar sign...
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Scenes from an albergue

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Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago cannot live on paella alone. They need other food and wine, and song, and company, and solitude, and a good sleep - and help at times. At Albergue de Peregrinos at Villadangos del Paramo we are doing our best to provide!  David and I are approaching the mid point of our volunteer Hospitalero gig. The days are filled- in fact it is surprising how little time there is to be still. We have been to Leon a couple of times for groceries  We have been catering for between 5 and 17 pilgrims each night - it varies day to day. Each group is different. Sometimes it’s like this:  Other times it is like the United Nations. Last night we had 14 guests, and 10 nationalities. Sometimes there are mostly men. Other times there are mostly women. Well someone has to do the check-in! We have even had a couple of canines along with their humans. One specifically requested that I stamp his credencial - ‘of course!’ Today David and I took the bus to Leon again ...
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Learning to be a hospitalero

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From the welcome registration desk at Albergue de Peregrinos at Villadangos del Paramo, you can see pilgrims slowly come into view. So far today no takers. Yesterday we had people waiting for opening time. There is no telling who or when people show up. Being patient, as well as organised to handle surprises is part of learning to be a hospitalero. It is Day 2, and I am trying my best. The day I arrived I met David from Seville. He and I have been appointed to run the albergue for the next two weeks. We were taken to dinner by the two outgoing hospitaleros - Greg and Daniel from California. It was an ideal orientation - practical ideas, common sense and a shared understanding of peregrino experience. Thank you both! Practical advice besides explaining the overall layout of the place and how it is operating, included how to make the coffee, and set up the dining room. Preparing for breakfast- mixing the cereal  Boiling the eggs - the night before . Ensuring food provisions are adequ...
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