By staying in hotels with shared baths the past few nights, I kind of dipped my toes into the pool of alberge living – but it was definitely the shallow end and only the tip of my toes.
The Azambuja perigrino alberge qualified as the deep end. Accommodations for 15 in one room – 7 sets of bunk beds and one mattress on the floor. A toilet room with two stalls – and a door so thin everyone could hear whatever was going on. A wash room with two private shower stalls and two sinks.
The common room featured a large dinner table, a very comfy couch and a small kitchen.
There was a walled back yard with a utility sink with built-in scrub-board for washing clothes. A few small round tables and chairs. But the major feature was the multiple clothes lines all in use drying the day’s sweaty clothing.
When you are living in such tight communal spaces, there are certain etiquettes to be practiced.
Last night, New Zealand Dan, Tennessee Christi and I went down the street for dinner. Christi and I were both Camino rookies. In contrast, Dan was doing his 20th. I had read before how important it is to be quiet in the sleeping area – especially if you are an early riser (like me). Dan said he always has his pack fully set before going to sleep. Anything needed in the morning is in his hat. You roll out of bed, grab your hat, pack and whatever you had for sleeping and take them out to the community room to finish packing.
Unfortunately, when we returned to the alberge from our dinner at around 8 PM, the sleeping porch lights were off and half a dozen people were already asleep. So I was not able to fully put this plan into place. But I have the strategy now and will make sure in the future that I can grab and go quickly.