Borderline Traumatic Experience - June 2024…read more
I did not stay here, but stopped in for food and drink after hiking for hours from SJPD through a cold, torrential rainstorm on my first morning of the Camino. I arrived at 7:50 AM, soaked, shivering, and desperate for something warm. As soon as I walked in, the male owner immediately yelled at me to get out. Yup...I had no idea why. Come to find out they opened to the public at 8am. Note: there was no sign on the door stating the bar wasn't open yet, how was I to know the crowd inside had stayed there the night before?
Stunned, I stepped outside and waited quietly under the covered carport to change into a dry shirt and dig through my bag for important medication. Not long after, the same man burst through the door again, screaming, even more aggressively than before. I tried to calmly explain what I was doing while shirtless in mid-change, just taking a moment to change into a dry shirt and get my pills. (I mean, this should have been kinda obvious.)
Instead of listening, he began poking me repeatedly with his finger, and then started physically shoving me and my backpack out into the rain.
I was in absolute shock. His anger and behavior were irrational and hostile, and to this day I have no idea what I did to provoke it, other than showing up ten minutes early, cold and wet, looking for coffee and toast.
It was a horrible and humiliating way to begin the Camino.
It's a shame because the location is beautiful, but I strongly urge fellow pilgrims: Do not give these people your money. They are not kind or compassionate, and their hostile responses to negative reviews in many places shows this side. They take zero accountability and always blame the guest. Unfortunately, I became one more example of that.
Hope this honest review helps someone. Buen Camino!