OUR WAY

 21st May 2025

Notes from the camino: albergue bathrooms

Spanish albergue bathrooms are a masterclass in extreme energy-saving. Most have either timer-activated switches or motion sensors. If it’s a switch, there’s usually a faintly glowing LED to guide you like a tiny beacon of hope. If it’s a sensor, well—prepare for sudden, dramatic darkness.

So there you are, quietly going about your business, when the light cuts out mid-mission. With a switch, at least you can fumble toward the LED and hit reset. With a motion sensor, you're forced into an interpretive dance routine from the toilet seat, waving an arm and hoping you’re still within range—ideally without having to stand up.

This is rarely a one-time event. You’ll likely have to perform your “bathroom semaphore” several times before you're done. The shortest light activation I experienced? A crisp, efficient 8 seconds. Just long enough to question every life choice that brought you to that cubicle.