From Shannon Buchan, Victoria BC, currently in Salamanca:
I am half way through my volunteer time here in the beautiful city of Salamanca on the Via de la Plata and other routes as I have discovered. The albergue is a small one with only 16 beds. I have had as few as two pilgrims one night to 12 on one occasion. I had been nervous as my Spanish is so basic but of the 53 pilgrims this week only 22 were Spanish. The rest have come from all over the world. Surprisingly no Canadians or Americans have come.
I have learned all the basic phrases I need to know to explain the workings of the Albergue and have created a couple of signs in Spanish. For all the other pilgrims it’s a combination of Google Translate and charades.I have now got into a routine. I normally get up with the first pilgrims and put out a few things for breakfast ( coffee, tea, yogurt, oranges, hard boiled eggs, madeleines) This is totally optional at this Albergue. There is only a microwave for cooking so the options are limited. I have figured out how to hard boil eggs in the microwave. Most of the pilgrims are totally self sufficient, bringing their own food.
After I get everyone up and out ( the bicycle riders are usually last) I wait for the cleaner to come. Then I have from 9 am to 3 pm to myself to wander the city. Salamanca is a beautiful city with lots to do and see. The Albergue is in the old city so you are in the heart of the action.
The most common thing I have to decide is whether to let a pilgrim stay another day. The official policy is one day stay only. If a pilgrim is sick or injured there is no issue for me. The albergue does have a tiny room set aside for ill pilgrims. If a pilgrim just wants to sightsee I tell them there are many low cost accommodations nearby. You will need to determine how you will handle this situation for yourself.
One problem which has occurred on many mornings is the pilgrim who will not leave. I tell them they must leave by 8 , there are signs saying the same thing. Most days I have to get a pilgrim up and basically chase them out. Often a straggler will be here when the cleaners arrive after 9. The previous Hospitalero played loud music at 7 am.
The Albergue is right next to a famous garden and many tourists visit here. Often they will try to ask me touristy type questions. Luckily I can direct them to a tourist information place at the base of the cathedral about a block away.
This last week has been a great experience. For the most part the pilgrims have been kind and responsible. I have met some seriously hard core Camino walkers, like the ones who have already walked Seville to Santiago and are now on the return trip to Seville. I have also learned about the 6 other routes that go through Seville and have witnessed many Camino friendships that have arisen between pilgrims walking side by side.
I am excited for my last week and to then get back on the Way myself.
