Zamora, Spain, May 14 - 31, 2025 — Part 1: The Albergue de Perigrinos

The Albergue de Perigrinos

By Laurel & Jim

It has been quite some time since we arrived in Zamora, Spain, at the Albergue de Peregrinos, to begin a two week volunteer assignment and we have not posted an update.  This radio-silence was not due to any dearth of experiences, stories or photos, rather it was a deficit of time.  Laurel described our weeks here as living the movie “Groundhog Day.”  Each day we wake up at 5:00 and begin a day of duties that continues until 10:00 in the evening, at which time we fall asleep only to wake up and repeat everything all over again.  However, just like Bill Murray, we did learn something from each cycle (sadly, not how to play the piano) and now have eked out 2 - 2 1/2 hours of free time during the day.  So here are some reports on life in Zamora as Voluntario Hospitaleros.

We arrived in Zamora as pilgrims on foot and slept comfortably that night in the Municipal Albergue de Peregrinos (Hostel).  The next morning, our stint as volunteer hosts (hospitalero/hospitalera) in the hostel began with an overlap with the out-going hospitaleras.  Chris, from Washington State, and Pam, from Alaska, adeptly showed us the ropes and advised on how to get up to thirty sheets washed, dried, and rolled up on time to pass out fresh to a new batch of incoming pilgrims every day.  In case of sun, dry them on the clotheslines on the hostel terrace; in case of rain, take them to the neighbourhood laundromat and then go next door to eat churros with chocolate dipping sauce while the driers do their work.  We weren’t sure whether to hope for sun or rain!  

Chris and Pam headed out the next morning, passing the torch on to us as they went.  We felt pretty nervous to be in charge of the place by ourselves, but we put on brave faces and told each other, “we can do this!”  Chris and Pam would be staying in a hotel in Zamora for a couple of nights before walking North on the Camino to Astorga, so we knew we’d be able to get more pointers if needed.  

The albergue is built up against the medieval city wall, on a slope, and is three stories high.  The entrance floor has a reception office, and three dorm rooms (one of which is reserved exclusively for the hospitaleros, i.e. us), as well as the outdoor terrace.  One level down houses three dorms and two big bathrooms.  The lower floor features a communal kitchen and dining room, and a non-communal washing machine.  Altogether, the albergue can accommodate thirty pilgrims, all in bunk beds.

The Albergue de Perigrinos de Zamora is nestled into the medieval city wall at the foot of St. Cipriano Church 

We received excellent hands-on training from the out-going American volunteers, Chris and Pam

Laurel handles all administrative duties, including registration, bookkeeping, and phone reception

The albergue has three floors; the middle floor has three dormitories and two bathrooms (the upper floor also has two dormitories and our room

The lowest floor includes the dining room/lounge and kitchen/laundry room.  It is the coolest spot so most pilgrims hang out here

The kitchen is well equipped and well used.  The pilgrims appreciate the spices, pots and sharp knives

Breakfast is simple and included with a donation for the bed

Bicycles and laundry fight for space on the patio

I have learned some new skills

While the laundry dries we do the shopping and odd jobs (like getting the knives sharpened)

The view from the patio reminds us that we are somewhere special