Day Ten on the Camino Primitivo ~ Lugo to As Seixas, 31.9 Kilometers (19.82 Miles)

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Our day ten on the Camino Primitivo was a definite turning point, with a new understanding of loneliness as we walked essentially alone on this incredibly long, monotonous and rural route with very little infrastructure. When our loneliness was combined with a misunderstanding at the albergue that afternoon it all made for a very different day on our Camino.

"Keep in mind that to avoid loneliness, many people need both a social circle and an intimate attachment. Having just one of two may still leave you feeling lonely." ~ Gretchen Ruben

"It's an interesting combination: Having a great fear of being alone, and having a desperate need for solitude and the solitary experience. That's always been a tug of war for me." ~ Jodie Foster

Day Ten, Camino Primitivo Maps and Stats

While most of the Camino Primitivo lacks infrastructure, for some reason, this particular stage seems most dramatic in its loneliness. The hole left in my soul by the absence of our Camino family, was noticeable indeed. 

Our long rest day in Lugo served its purpose to refuel us, plus for the very first time on the entire Camino, I think we were in bed prior to 10 p.m. 

Here is the Google interactive map that I created from our journey on day ten of the Camino. As always, I included the services along the Way, that will be helpful in your planning. I did not include all the possibilities for accommodation in Lugo, just albergues, hostal and reasonably-priced pensions near the center of town. Click here to see others. 

We set out from our own accommodation, the comfortable Hotel España, just across from the medieval walls, a few steps south of the Lugo cathedral. I was very happy that we had mapped the route out of Lugo the day before on our rest day. There is more than one way out of town as you can see on the map. Just zoom in on Lugo.

It can be confusing getting out of the city, so I describe in detail the two possible routes, farther below.

Below is the elevation profile that coincides with our day ten. After dropping off the hill where Lugo sits, the way gently climbs, never more than 200 meters (650 feet) over many kilometers. It does not feel overly strenuous. 

After Ferreira there is a short climb, followed by a downhill of the same amount, before ending in As Seixas. 

Elevation Profile, Lugo to As SeixasElevation Profile, Lugo to As Seixas

The Journey on Day Ten, Camino Primitivo

Our early night afforded us the ability to get up and be on our way by 06:30, a full hour earlier than on all other days. Fueled by instant café con leche, additional milk and yogurt bars in our room, we set off in the dark through the sleeping streets of Lugo on day ten of our Camino Primitivo.

I would suggest, depending where you are staying in Lugo, to use as your starting point, either the Tourist Information Center or the Cathedral to get you going on the right way. Almost everyone should know where one of these two landmarks are located. See our Google map above to locate the closest starting point for you. 

Alternative Start in Lugo from the North Side of the Cathedral

The photos I include regarding the way out of Lugo, were taken in the daylight, the day before, so finding your way in the dark may present yet an additional challenge. Remember the bronze shells on the pavement at your feet to help guide you.

The alternative route actually splits off on the north side of the Lugo Cathedral. Look for the first bronze shell at the intersection with the Rúa Catedral.

Street Waymark by the Tourism Office in Lugo, SpainStreet Waymark by the Tourism Office

Take this street to the north and 100 meters later you walk by the Tourist Information Office and encounter this bronze waymark on the pavement just outside the building shown here.

Follow the waymark and walk northwest up the Rúa do Miña and in only 100 meters turn left onto the Rúa da Tinería and walk less than 50 meters until you reach the Porta Miña gate in the Roman wall. 

Walk thru the gate and come out on the Ronda da Muralla, the street that follows the Roman wall. You will see a large Camino sign across the street, directing you to the right. 

Turn right and then almost immediately turn left onto the Rúa do Carme by a church, the Capilla de la Cofradia de la Virgen del Carmen.

Follow the Rúa do Carme until it turns into a path, shown in the photo below, about 150 meters later.

Rúa do Carme Funky Footpath through Lugo, SpainRúa do Carme Funky Footpath

This funky path in the middle of the city, eventually comes to this stairway, below, that leads up to the street, the Ronda do Carme, shown in the next photo. 

The Stairway to the Ronda do Carme in Lugo, SpainThe Stairway to the Ronda do Carme

A waymark greets you and tells you to cross the street. After this crossing, pick up another path on the other side for another 300 meters before coming out to the Rúa Calzada da Ponte at a T-intersection. This is where you join the main route coming from the cathedral, by turning right. 

The Ronda do Carme with WaymarkThe Ronda do Carme

Within approx. 250 meters after joining the Rúa Calzada da Ponte, you come to the Roman footbridge below.

To see this route in detail, please zoom in our Google map above, to the Lugo area and the Way will become clear!

Standard Route Out of Lugo from the Cathedral

The easier way out of Lugo, and for us the shortest, is shown on the southernmost route on the Goggle map above. Simply walk to the very western end of the Cathedral, which is its main entrance. If you are facing the entrance, turn around and look at the Roman Gate in front of you to the west. (See the photos of these landmarks in my Lugo, Spain article.)

Walk out this gate, the Porta de Santiago and come out on the Ronda da Muralla. Look across the intersection of five points, and slightly to the left, and see the Camino sign leading you across the street and down the Rúa Santiago. 

Walk about 270 meters and look for a sign leading you right, down a set of stairs and onto the Rúa Calzada da Ponte. This street leads you down the hill, under a tunnel, all the way to the Río Minho to the pedestrian bridge below, after 600 meters. The Albergue Roots and Boots is on your left just before the river. It is located in a great spot and we had a beer here the day before.

Both routes out of Lugo, described above, on day ten of the Camino Primitivo bring you down to the River Minho, to cross on this wonderful and restored Roman footbridge. 

The Camino Primitivo Roman Footbridge Across the Río Minho in Lugo, SpainThe Camino Primitivo Roman Footbridge Across the Río Minho

Here is another shot of the bridge, with some original Roman parts intact, that you will cross. 

Footbridge From the River Angle in Lugo, SpainRoman Footbridge From the River Angle

After crossing the bridge, immediately turn right onto the Rúa Fermin Rivera that walks along the river. In the dark, as we left town, we came across this church, the Parroquia San Lázaro after about 3/4 kilometer, that has a nice map of the Camino leg to San Román.

Church along the Rio Minho in Lugo, SpainChurch Along the River

Only 50 meters after the church, there is a waymark pointing you to go left, shown below. 

Turn Left Here off the Rúa  Fermin Rivera, Lugo, SpainTurn Left Here off the Rúa Fermin Rivera

Thus begins the long uphill climb out of Lugo. After about 4.3 kilometers, the quiet paved road joins the LU-P-2901 at a roundabout, a road that you follow all the way to San Romao, about 14 kilometers down the road!

After about 5.0 kilometers in your climb up from the river on day ten of the Camino Primitivo, you arrive at this church, the Igrexa Parroquial de San Xoán Alto, shown below, an interesting place, with an added portico. 

Igrexa de San Xoán do AltoIgrexa de San Xoán do Alto

We stopped to have a look at the chapel of San Xoán do Alto in the hamlet of Seoane. While here, a bus came along, stopped and dumped off about 15 peregrinos! We figured it was some sort of supported tour, for those walking the final 100 kilometers, and this was their first staging area. My first thought was "Welcome to the Camino Francés!" even though the Francés was a day and a half away.

Of course, we felt a little urgency to return to the trail. Soon there was a small, older man who was following us, who caught up to us when I needed to use the bushes. He overtook us marching along with his large pack. Immediately, I decided that I was firmly refusing to be part of any race - I was going to walk my Camino (unlike my day four!)

Here is a stretch of this road, on the LU-P-2901 that actually has a side-paved area, just for peregrinos!

Paved Peregrino Path Along the LU-P-2901Paved Peregrino Path Along the LU-P-2901

On this stretch of road, we found absolutely no services. By San Vicente do Burgo, about 9.0 kilometers from Lugo, we could still find no open café bars. We had some nuts and chocolate from our packs for a quick pick-me-up.

There is, however, a vending machine area called the Casa Zapateiro, at approximately 9.1 kilometers, just as you enter town, on the left side of the road. It is just before this main intersection with the cross, pictured below. 

Crossroads in San Vicente do Burgo, SpainCrossroads in San Vicente do Burgo

The continuing way along the LU-P-2901 is long, boring and can be very hot. We were lucky that it was overcast when we walked through here. 

It was somewhere along a long stretch of the LU-P-2901 when a car came up from behind us, blowing his horn as a warning, about several hundred meters back. We heard him, got over far to the side of the road. When the car passed he still almost brushed me and my poles! He must have been only inches away, as I felt the breeze from the vehicle. It scared the crap out of me! In order for him to have passed so closely, it certainly had to be a deliberate maneuver!

I had the urge to give him the middle finger, but instead, I stuck my hand in the air, waving in anger. I was trying to be polite, even though I was pretty shaken! Rich did give him the finger, but then, recovering quickly from my shock, in my anger I yelled F- you! I was not really pleased with myself about this, but this driver was really, really aggressive. 

Along this long road, they don't really divert us very well!! So please be careful walking through here on your own day ten on the Camino Primitivo! I imagine the locals are quite sick of peregrinos! Not everyone is supportive of our journeys! I hope this is a very infrequent occurrence. 

Long, Straight, Boring Stretch of the LU-P-2901, on day ten, Camino PrimitivoLong, Straight, Boring Stretch of the LU-P-2901

There is a short diversion from the pavement, when the Camino turns off of the LU-P-2901, almost 3 kilometers from San Vicente do Borgo, and a total of approximately 12 kilometers into the day. From the turn off to the right, the Camino walks you to Bacurín on this forest path, shown below. It was here that we talked to the tour coordinator (who was waiting in his support vehicle by the forest turn to ensure that his pilgrims were on the right path) who indeed confirmed that the groups' destination for the day was one of the private albergues in Ponte Ferreira. We decided then for sure, to go on to As Sexias.  

Forest Diversion to Bacurín on Day Ten, Camino PrimitivoForest Diversion to Bacurín on Day Ten, Camino Primitivo

This two kilometer diversion is quite lovely, full of moss-covered and enchanted trees.  

The Moss-Covered and enchanted forest on the 10th stage of the Camino Primitivo near Lugo, SpainThe Moss-Covered Enchanted Forest

By just after nine o'clock, we arrived here in the hamlet of Bacurín, 12.8 kilometers into the day.

The town of Bacurín, Spain on the 10th stage of the Camino PrimitivoBacurín
Horreo In Bacurín, SpainHórreo In Bacurín

After walking through Bacurín on day ten of the Camino Primitivo, the way again diverts on a path through a forest.

Back into the forest on a path to O Hospital, SpainBack into the forest on a path to O Hospital

It was in this section that we noticed some supported Spanish peregrinos, behind us. It was an older couple and a young man, who were really, really walking fast to pass us. Here we go again! The "race" was on. We just smiled at one another, and kept our current pace.

Ahead, at the top of a hill, the woman stopped, took off her pack and appeared to be complaining about it. I checked my own pride, because I was relatively certain that the peregrinos would not keep up this pace, and I patted myself on the back for being right. It was difficult not to be smug.

It is everyone's own Camino, to walk in the way that each one choses, isn't it? We did notice that the young man did not stop for long, but did stay very close to us as we walked on.

Bridge on the 10 stage of the Camino PrimitivoEveryone's Own Camino

After the forest reprieve, the Way rejoins the LU-P-2901 about 1.3 kilometers after Bacurín. I was beginning to notice the kilometer markers and took a snapshot. 

Back to 2901 before O Hospital, SpainBack to the LU-P-2901 before O Hospital

In another 2.0 kilometers the next hamlet up on day ten of the Camino Primitivo is San Pedro de Baixo. Not much of a town.

Walking thru San Pedro de Baixo, SpainWalking thru San Pedro de Baixo

As you can see in the above photo, Rich was wearing his knee supports. So was I, as my left knee had started to hurt again, with all the pavement walking.

After San Pedro de Baixo, ¾ kilometer later you will walk by the Taberna de Rodrigo in Crecente. I have located it on the Google map above. It has erratic opening hours, so it is best not to count on it.  

By the time we had reached this quaint little church, below, it was 10:15, almost four hours on the road, and we had logged about 18 kilometers and still had found no open bars. It is best to be prepared with food, at all times on your own day ten on the Camino Primitivo.

When you reach this little church in San Román, you approach it from the back side, and come to an intersection. You turn right at this intersection, to go around the church. Here you are entering the part of the Camino Primitivo that is known as the Roman path XIX or the Via Romana XIX, in Spanish.

Iglesia de San Román de Retorta - Choice of Routes on the Camino PrimitivoIglesia de San Román de Retorta

Just up the hill from the church after turning right on the Old Roman route, there is a replica of an old Roman milestone. I have not pictured it, as the original is in a museum in Astorga. If you wish to read and see more about this historic landmark and how the Romans figured the mileage on their roads, click here. Just across from the miliario is a tavern and the Apartamentos San Román. This is an economical place if you have two, and even better if there are four. 

After the landmark, the Camino de Santiago crosses a major road and continues onto this road, on the short walk towards San Román.

Road to Albergue in San RomaoRoad to Albergue in San Román

In only 600 meters after the crossing, we reached the private Albergue O Cándido, brightly painted, and had a wonderful lunch! It was our first substantial meal of the day at 10:30 and about 18.8 kilometers under our belt. We were extremely grateful! The café con leche and the bocadillo tasted great. I have been told that getting food here is not always consistent, so hungry pilgrims beware!

Unlike other days on our Camino, we only saw one young man here. No Camino family members, one-by-one slowly coming along to join us!

Albergue O Candido Lunch Stop in San RomaoAlbergue O Cándido Lunch Stop

Just beyond the O Candido is a casa rural called the Casa Castrelo. This is a small rural home with three rooms to rent. Just past the Casa Castrelo is the municipal Albergue de Peregrinos de San Román De Retorta. This is a very basic albergue, so before deciding to stay here, you may want to have a look. 

After lunch, the way is extraordinarily rural and follows this tractor lane. We still had 13 kilometers to get to As Seixas.

After San Romao the Camino Primitivo Turns Into Country LaneAfter San Román Turns Into Country Lane
Tractor Lane after San Romao, SpainTractor Lane
Toward Next Town of O Burgo de Negral, SpainToward Next Town of O Burgo de Negral

The day remained overcast, but it never rained on our entire day ten of the Camino Primitivo. We could, however, definitely feel the humidity rising as we walked closer toward the coast, deep into Galicia.

Here is the long downhill after San Román.

The Downhill Toward O Burgo de Negral, SpainThe Downhill Toward O Burgo de Negral

The next town along the way is O Burgo de Negral, 3.0 kilometers later. There is a 4-bedroom house in town called the Casa Isaura de Pena,  a few meters off-Camino, that is inexpensive and rents by the room and also the Hotel Rural O Cruce do Burgo a few meters later right along the way. You would have logged 21.5 and 21.7 kilometers respectively, at this point, a very respectable day.

Walking into O Burgo de Negral, SpainWalking into O Burgo de Negral
O Burgo de Negral, SpainO Burgo de Negral

On this long and lonely stretch of open road, I had plenty of time to think and voice journal. This was another one of those days where I wished I wasn't walking, and wondered why was I doing this? I didn't like it anymore. It just seemed like so much effort for what reason, I was not sure.

When the doubt happens, then you just settle into it, and keep on walking because that is what pilgrims do.

Here is an excerpt from my voice journal: "Here we are, the beginning of the last 100 km and it's going to be full of a lot of new people. We have to get used to it. We thought we'd have a few more days until we met the Camino Francés for this to occur. And we miss our family!!"

The whole struggle for me on day ten of our Camino Primitivo was that I was feeling very, very mixed emotions.  On the one hand, I was happy we were on the Camino with new people, yet when we sat down for lunch in San Román, I found myself feeling, where is my family? They should be coming along soon, as one by one they had usually rolled in, in the past.

We were pretty much alone by now. No one was at the lunch stop. Where was everyone?? We saw several peregrinos pass us early on, and there was a young man at the albergue, but now, there was virtually no one on the road. What a change!

After Burgo de Negral, we walked on long, country paved roads, through V‎ilacarpide one kilometer later, then Pacio, 3/4 kilometer after that, at a total of 23.5 kilometers.

Rich at a Cruceiro in Pacio, SpainRich at a Cruceiro in Pacio

The Cruceiro in the town of Pacio is right in front of the church, below. I still tried to do my gratitude practice and I stopped to gaze at this church. 

Ermita de Santa María de Pacio along the Camino PrimitivoErmita de Santa María de Pacio

The hórreos are now long and thin and of the Galician style, instead of the wider and square ones like we saw in Asturias. Here is a particularly charming one, below.

Galician-style Horreo in Pacio, SpainGalician-style Hórreo in Pacio
Hanging Out in Pacio, SpainHanging Out in Pacio

On the long afternoon of day ten on our Camino Primitivo, here is another excerpt from my thinking-out-loud voice journal: "My biggest issue is that I want to be there. I want to be in Santiago. I want it to be over! I do not want to be here. How can I bring myself to be here? To look down on each day as an individual day. For me, today is very difficult. I feel good walking, my feet are burning a little but not bad. I am actually getting over my cold, (in my voice journals, my voice sounds better.)

"I think I miss home, I think I miss my life - we are reminiscing about the future for the first time on this Camino. I'm tired of the food. We said goodbye to Kurt and Ulli in Lugo - very sad! Igor is gone, only just a few peregrinos remain ahead that we might catch up to.

"We think that Saskia and Glyvia stayed at the O Candido last night, because they wanted a short day and we may yet catch up to them. We are keeping a 5 km/hr clip -  we did 20 km by 10:30. If they can make it to Melide by today, we could catch up to them by tomorrow."

And so it was. I kept asking myself, how can I stay in the moment today? I didn't even feel like listening to music, I just wanted to be there - wherever "there" was. I was definitely getting tired of walking, even though my body was feeling well. It was my mind, on this day, that was the challenge! And this was my Camino.

While my laryngitis was improving nicely, my gut was flopping around on day ten of our Camino Primitivo. Rich said his was too. We blamed it on the kebab we had in Lugo the day before. Fortunately, it didn't slow either of us down, despite a few trots to the bushes!

Onward we walked. We were back on the LU-P-2901, now at the 22 kilometer marker. 

Pena da Galiña Ahead on the Camino PrimitivoKilometer Marker 22

One kilometer from Pacio and just before the turn towards the next town of Ferreira, is a left turn for the private Albergue Cruz Ferreira.

Two-thirds kilometer later, just beyond this turn-off to Ponte Ferreira, below, is the private Albergue A Nave de Ferreira, with available dormitory beds and rooms as well. 

Here the Way Turns Left Toward Ponte Ferreira, SpainHere the Way Turns Left Toward Ponte Ferreira
The Sign Ahead Says "Ferreira"The Sign Ahead Says "Ferreira"

Once in Ponte Ferreira, you encounter the Casa da Ponte Ferreira, a casa rural with five rooms, just before the old Roman bridge. And by the bridge is this lovely picnic grove. 

After entering town  you are now about 26 kilometers from Lugo and this would be an appropriate place to stop for the day, with so many choices of accommodation, including one more large albergue 300 meters ahead. We decided to go on.

Inviting Picnic Grove in Ponte Ferreira, SpainInviting Picnic Grove in Ponte Ferreira

After turning right in town, we came to this lovely old Roman bridge.

Old Footbridge in Ponte Ferreira, SpainOld Roman Footbridge in Ponte Ferreira

At the next right turn in town, there is another interesting hórreo.

Turn Right in Ferreira Here at the HorreoTurn Right in Ferreira Here at the Hórreo

The road gives way to this charming footpath, below.

Paved Peregrino Footpath on Day Ten, Camino PrimitivoPaved Peregrino Footpath on Day Ten, Camino Primitivo

Just after this steep climb on the footpath, we walked by the very charming-looking private albergue. The food is reported to be great here too. But we walked on. Here is the link to the Albergue Ponte Ferreira website, if you decide to stay here. 

After the footpath, the Primitive Way comes back out on none other than the LU-P-2901!

Back on the LU-P-2901Back on the LU-P-2901

It seemed like a long climb, in the afternoon when we were tired, until we reached the top of this hill, below, but it was less than a 100 meter climb over two full kilometers! 

Top of This Hill Turn LeftTop of This Hill Turn Left

Look for the waymark, turning left, onto the country lane, below. The turn is at 28 kilometers. 

Left Onto This LaneLeft Onto This Lane

After walking about 3.3 kilometers from Ponte Ferreira, we arrived here, in San Jorge de Aguas Santas, also spelled San Xorxe in Gallego, where there is a wonderful picnic stop and a fountain, shown in the photos, below. You are at about 29.3 kilometer total from Lugo, with only a few kilometers left to go to As Seixas! Yay!

Picnic Area at San Xorxe de Aguas SantasPicnic Area at San Xorxe de Aguas Santas
Fountain at San Xorxe de Aguas SantasFountain at San Xorxe de Aguas Santas

The road kilometer signs just keep on counting up, below. Here we are entering the actual town of San Xorxe at the 26 km marker.

Long Day on the LU-P-2901, Km Marker 26Long Day on the LU-P-2901, Km Marker 26
San Xorxe Church, Top of Hill From FountainSan Xorxe Church, Top of Hill From Fountain

After San Xorxe, at the town of Ribadal, below, about one kilometer later, the way leaves the LU-P-2901, and turns right toward our destination, As Seixas, on day ten of the Camino Primitivo.

Turn in Ribadal, SpainTurn in Ribadal

When we arrived in As Seixas, in another 1.4 kilometers, this kilometer-marker greeted us! 68 kilometers and a few days left!

The 68 Kilometer Waymark Achieved on Day Ten, Camino PrimitivoThe 68 Kilometer Waymark Achieved on Day Ten, Camino Primitivo

The marker is at a T-intersection, where the Camino goes left, see the photo below. 

Walking Into As SeixasThe Onward Camino Into As Seixas

However, to get to the municipal Albergue de Peregrinos de As Seixas, shown farther below, you must go to the right at the T-intersection and walk 150 meters up the hill.

First pass by the Albergue A Toqueira, a private albergue, restaurant and cantina which also has private rooms. It is immediately before the municipal albergue. This new place looks lovely! 

There is another accommodation in As Seixas, the Casa Camiño Turismo Rural, another 1.4 kilometers farther down the Camino, if you dislike albergues.

The municipal albergue is very nice, new, and with a very nice kitchen. If you want to cook your own meal here you must bring your own supplies from Lugo. We were one of the first to arrive, by 2:00 in the afternoon.

The Municipal Albergue in As SeixasMunicipal Albergue As Seixas

Because we didn't bring food to cook, after checking into the muni, we ate at the Casa Goriños in town, for a giant bowl of Caldo Gallego (Galician Soup) and lots of bread. The food was delicious! (We ate dinner here too.) It seemed to help settle our flip-floppy guts and we also refrained from our usual afternoon beer. There is nothing like Galician soup to rehydrate you and replenish your electrolytes!

Caldo GallegoCaldo Gallego

Culture Clash or Misunderstanding on Day Ten of our Camino Primitivo?

When we went to check in at the municipal albergue, we went through the usual showing of passports followed by the hospitalera showing us around. I was speaking my best elementary Spanish. We were shown a huge room of bunks, and were told the smaller, separate room was full. We peered into the smaller bunk room and it did not appear full to me.

The place was newly remodeled, and the beds were sectioned in the open room, into cubes - a very nice arrangement. The very back corner of the room was very nice, spacious and more private. We immediately laid our packs in this corner. There was no one else in the open room yet, so we chose the best spot - first come, first served.  

In feisty Spanish, the hospitalera said emphatically, "You can't stay here, you must first fill the beds from the front! This is normal." While I didn't understand her every word, I clearly understood the meaning. She kept repeating, "Es normal, es normal!" (it's normal), as she gestured toward the front bunks and walked away.

Now I am trying to be gracious and polite, and do as I am told as we were guests in the muni. I'm looking at the front beds, which are next to the open stairwell and close to the toilets - much less desirable beds!

Rich comes up to the front and says, "I'm not staying here!" Oh my! So in my sweetest Spanish voice, I look down the open stairs, and call down to the hospitalera and say that we don't like the beds next to the door/toilet. May we please stay in the back?

She refutes, "but it is normal, it is normal!"  I say again, "But we don't like it up front," and she finally waves her hand in the air and says, "OK, OK do whatever you want." I say a humble, "Muchas gracias."

And so we stayed in the rear bunks.

Reflections on Day Ten of our Camino Primitivo

While you were reading our story, and because of the introduction, I am sure that you knew immediately that what we were feeling on day ten of our Camino Primitivo, was social isolation and loneliness. We felt this, yes, even though we were with one another! It just took us a while to figure it out. It is what was the source of my unsettledness on this day, without a doubt.

You especially knew this if you had just read our story from day nine and the intense connection we had felt with our Camino family in the prior days! Day ten on the Camino Primitivo was the exact opposite of our day nine!

As for the interaction with the hospitalera, soon afterwards I got the overwhelming sense that she was changing the rules on us because we were Americans. I felt this way as more peregrinos entered the albergue, and I didn't notice similar treatment. They came in one by one and filled the room from the back towards the front.

I wondered if she didn't like the fact that we Americans were getting the best beds? The back bunks really were in a great space, with more room on the floor next to the bunks, close to an outlet for charging, and of course, way more quiet and private. I could even change in my bunk cube as there was none but the wall to see me.

What was normal here in this particular albergue? Was it different for Europeans? As far as I could tell we were the only Americans. If the treatment of Americans is truly different in this albergue, this was our first encounter of prejudice and/or rudeness on the Camino.

We couldn't stop thinking about the experience. It felt like the hospitalera was trying to pull the wool over our eyes. Did she think this was our first albergue and we didn't know the protocol? We had been in many albergues before, and never encountered anything like this!

We related this story to a German peregrina that we spoke to later that evening. The German girl verified that it is always, first come first serve in the albergues - whoever gets there first gets the best beds and that's just the way it goes.

However, later peregrinos we spoke with thought the opposite. Some felt there was no prejudice, because indeed, each albergue makes its own rules, and some are very different than others.

(We know now, this is true, as we have many more Caminos under our belt.)

With the change in the face of our experience on day ten of our Camino Primitivo, is it any wonder that we had flip-floppy guts that for me persisted even into day eleven? Was it really just the food? I'll never know, perhaps, but I do have my suspicions. 

Salutation

May your own day ten on the Camino Primitivo be filled with experiences that challenge you and help you think. May you figure out how to tear down cultural walls and be present to the needs of those around you, regardless of who there are. May you find both social and individual connectedness as you walk your own Camino!



Now a greatly improved and updated version of our Camino Primitivo eBook Guide, completed in 2023, for your best Camino Primitivo experience. Click here for more information.


The Camino Primitivo Stages




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Shroud Yourself in Mystery, along the Via de Francesco!

Way of St. Francis eBook Guide

Walk in the Footsteps of St. Francis, and Connect Deeply to the Saint and to Nature in the Marvelous Italian Countryside!

Recent Articles

  1. Day Twenty-Two A on the Coastal Route of the Camino Portugués, Vigo

    Feb 24, 24 07:43 AM

    Café Don Gregorio on the Praza Princesa
    Day twenty-two, Part A on the Coastal Route of the Camino Portugués, is a very short stage, using the high, flat and easy plateau trail system, called the Senda da Auga.

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  2. Day Twenty-One on the Senda Litoral of the Camino Portugues

    Feb 13, 24 04:22 PM

    Capela San Campio
    Our day twenty-one on the Senda Litoral of the Camino Portugués was a fabulous walk along the sea, passing beach after beach!

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  3. Day Twenty on the Senda Litoral of the Camino Portugués

    Feb 06, 24 03:56 PM

    Turn off PO-552 here
    Day twenty on the Senda Litoral of the Camino Portugués, shares the beginning 7.6 kilometers with the Coastal Route.

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Need suggestions on what to pack for your next pilgrimage? Click Here or on the photo below!




Carbon Trekking Poles

Carbon fiber construction ( not aluminum) in a trekking pole makes them ultra lightweight. We like the Z-Pole style from Black Diamond so we can hide  our poles in our pack from potential thievesbefore getting to our albergue! There are many to choose from!  ( See more of our gear recommendations! )




Gregory BackPack - My Favorite Brand

An ultralight backpack should serve you well for years, like my Gregory has - six Caminos in all! My 28L Women's pack gets a 5-star on Amazon (Ones for Guys too)!




Microfiber Towel Set

Do not forget your quick-dry microfiber towel! 




Booking.com



My absolute favorite book on how to be a pilgrim: