Today I begin my travels back to Spain and the Camino. This year I will volunteer as a hospitalero (a person who runs and manages an Albergue / hostel on the Camino de Santiago).
My assignment will last for the first half of September. My albergue is in the town of Nàjera which is located in the region of La Rioja on the Camino Frances.
The albergue has 48 beds. Each will be full every night with a different group of pilgrims. You are only allowed to stay one night, unless, you are sick or injured then you may stay more at the hospitaleros discretion. There is a salon area with tables, 2 bathrooms one each for the males and females, each with two showers, and a kitchen that can be used by the pilgrims to cook a meal.
Unlike some albergue’s we do not provide meals. This albergue is owned by the town and the idea is to have our pilgrims go out and eat and drink in the local restaurants and bars. There are many near the by. There are also several grocery stores in this little town so that if you wanted to go and buy some food to cook that would be an easy thing to do.
Nàjera has about 5,000 residents and is situated at the base of some beautiful red clay cliffs. There is a nice river that runs through town. On one side is the new area and on the other where the albergue is located is the old section.
I will spend my first two days and nights in Madrid. I arrive at 8:45am on Wednesday August 28th and will take the bus to Nàjera on Friday morning. On Thursday I hope to take the train to Toledo to do some site seeing.
For now I am in Atlanta awaiting my next flight to Madrid.
I am very excited to be going, but as always I will miss my family.