So much to describe and so little time. But I’m determined to get a few things written down as this blog is the Camino archive for my sieve of a brain. I’ve been so happy to be able to look back at what I wrote when I did my Camino two years ago — the places I stayed, the people I met, the songs I sang.  If I hadn’t written it down when it happened I’d only have one big happy blur of a Camino memory.

I’ve been here in the little town of Rabanal del Camino for nearly a week. When I arrived I spent the first two days learning the ropes of how to run an albergue in Spain…the English way… aka the proper way. 

 Since Monday, Peter, my co-hospitalero, and I have been on our own, running every aspect of this albergue, from welcoming pilgrims and checking them in & getting them settled, to shopping and dealing with the townsfolk (only 30 year-round residents!)  and local merchants, to washing, cleaning & setting out breakfasts in the morning. And, of course, hosting a proper tea at 5pm.

Tea time is important here as Refugio Gaucelmo is operated by the Confraternity of St James out of London. So of course tea and biscuits should be served on the Camino. 

I’ve wanted to come back to the Camino and decided that volunteering at a donativo albergue would be a great way to do so. And what more brilliant place (see how British I’m sounding already?) than Gaucelmo, which made such a wonderful impression on me when I stayed here two years ago.  I was thrilled when I was accepted as a volunteer hospitalera for a two week assignment.

So here I am, settling in and finally coming up for air.  I read back on my list of hospitalera fears and I see that they have all come to pass in some way or another. All except for having a weirdo as a volunteer partner assigned to my shift.  (Fun stories on the other items on the list to follow.) 

Peter is a retired British naval officer who speaks at least five languages. This is very helpful of course in dealing with the international tribe who comes through our doors. But the main reason I feel I have hit the hospitalero lottery with Peter is that he gets up really early (as a good officer should) and feeds the pilgrims and makes the coffee. Makes the coffee!! That’s solid voluntario gold. 

All I have to do in the early morning is to stand at the doorway with my coffee(s) and wave off the pilgrims with a hug and a buen camino. Jolly good!