There are several things I liked about camping along the Camino:
No snoring!!!
No bunk beds!!!
No bed bugs!!!
Moving at your own pace - none of the daily stress to race to the town 20 kms away to be the first to get the best bed (ie. a bottom bunk furthest away from the blinding light of the fire exit sign) which involves leaving before everyone else and arriving at your destination around 1 pm with little to nothing to do except go online on your phone or do your laundry (most small towns along the way are practically deserted with nothing open between 2-5 pm for siesta). When I was camping I was able to walk as fast or as slowly as I wanted and actually stop and smell the roses as I went. The only thing I had to mind was the sunset, as it's much easier setting up your tent in the daylight.
Eating different food when camping we cooked and prepared whatever we wanted whereas in albergues there is usually only one option - the Menu de Peregrino" (pilgrim's menu) which was always a salad, some type of meat (which I don't eat so I'd always get an omelette) and some kind of desert in a plastic cup, all for about $12-18. This is ok (although over time it adds up $$) but when you eat this every dinner for 3 weeks.... yah. I know, I know, first world problems:-p
The best part of menu de Peregrino is you usually get a lot of wine with it - because remember: wine is cheaper than water in Spain.
When we were camping we would buy beer for less than 1 Euro per can and make giant salads in bags (lack of large salad bowls on the road) so easy! Bag salad!!
Locations
We camped:
1) in a farmer's field near a stream and a mountain and watched the lunar eclipse
2) in a community centre on the floor because Bobby's paw was sore
3) in a small vineyard beside an old pilgrims ' hospital
that is now an Albergue that has no electricity so you eat by candlelight
Yes that's a dog sitting at the table. This place was called San Nicolas and was run by Italian hospitaleros who fed us amazing pasta and washed our feet as dictated by tradition
I got the tent to myself that night, and we spent the day setting up camp and making tea
4) we slept beside the river under a weeping willow
5) we slept under an ancient roman bridge - but I don't have any photos! :,( here's a nice one of a sunrise though, and of my dad coming over the hill :)
