Peregrino bed stress and the Via Romana. 15 miles, 5 hrs. Calzadilla de los Hermanillos to Mansilla de las Mulas. October 7

October 07, 2022

You never know how many people are going to the same town as you or how many beds are going to be available there. Some albergues (hostels) take reservations and some don't. The rumor is that some of the albergues that say they're full when you try to make a reservation save some beds for peregrinos who show up in person. Today is a good example of what can happen. Over the last few days I have tried to make a reservation here in Mansilla de las Mulas and the next town. Either I was told that they were full or I got no response. I knew there was one place that didn't take reservations which opened at 1pm. I left before 6 to get here as early as possible. I got here about 11 and got on a waiting list. By noon, the person running the restaurant was telling the new arrivals that the place was full. I have no idea where they will go to find a bed.

There seems to be a combination of pent-up demand for the Camino and the closure of Albergues due to the pandemic to create this unfortunate situation where everyone is stressing every day, worried about where they're going to sleep. And then there's the Koreans... I'll write more about them later. Where to sleep is a constant source of conversation and many people (including me) spend an hour or two every day planning several days into the future. People who have been here before say that the loss of spontaneity has diminished the Camino experience. I know I haven't had the time I thought I would have to just sightsee.

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