we interrupt your regular programming

I have plenty more scenic photos from the last few days, but let’s talk logistics and accommodations for a moment.

This trip only happened because I booked it with an agency that specializes in Camino tours. I just wasn’t up to the hosteling experience, searching for a gîte when I arrived in each town and sharing a room with 10 other people. If I was doing this, it was going to be with private rooms.

The agency, Camino Ways, booked all the rooms on an “easy walking” schedule, in their “standard” hotels (they also had a “luxury” option) or bed and breakfasts with adjoining bathrooms (mostly with showers) including continental breakfasts and dinners. They also booked the luggage transfer service: I drop off my bag before 8 am, and it’s at the next hotel by the time I arrive. Magic!

The first couple of nights went well: my luggage showed up, the rooms weren’t fancy but they had a double bed, wifi and hot water, and the food was decent. Good start.

The second hiking day, this was the room. It came with the most institutional shower I’ve ever seen – it came with a floor squeegee to push the water to the drain, because there was no shower enclosure – lukewarm water, and no linens. I had to thank slightly younger Shannon for thinking to order a sleeping bag liner and microfiber towel, because I needed them both.

I’m sure I’ll laugh about it later.

Now every night is like a roulette mini-adventure within the adventure. Last night I stayed in Les Faux, at the estate that is featured at the top of this post. It was a cozy twin room and the staff were lovely.

Tonight… well, I don’t mind telling you this, but I am writing this while wearing a bathrobe – a bathrobe! – having just soaked for something like an hour in the hottest water I could stand, in a bathtub. A bathtub! And this is what the hotel concierge greeted me with when he showed me to my room:

I forgive them for not opening reception until 15:30 and only allowing wifi on one device at a time.

What will tomorrow bring? Who knows!