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I agree. There is scientific evidence that trusting people as a guiding principle enhances happiness. And vice versa: constant mistrust reduces happiness.
It's really important on a forum like this to appreciate we all have a very different sense of what constitutes safety, risk and prudent behaviour. Commands in cap locks are very Facebook.
The important thing here IMO is to think for yourself. On...
I must say I never took my valuables everywhere with me, and I wasn't by any means stupid or naive - just careful and very comfortable in all the places I stayed and the people around me and trusted my instincts.
I had gone expecting to have to...
NEVER - LIKE EVER - be separated from your valuables, even for a moment. Cargo pants with lots of pockets help.
Cross torso bags, like a fanny or bum bag worn cross-body are also good. The less it looks like a woman's handbag - purse, the more...
Are you staying in Alburgues?
And try joining in with Pilgrim dinners?
Sometimes on the track we’re meant to be alone maybe….
Check into busier coffee shops and start chatting with other (solo) pilgrims.
Good luck.
I walked with a solo lady...
One of my favorite websites for both food and cultural information around the world is Cultural Backstreets. As your Portuguese Camino may have you starting in or going through Porto, I though you might enjoy this article and get a few ideas on...
P.S. The website just cited, for tourism of the middle Tejo, gives a pretty good summary of things might want to see, or do, in the area! (In English, French and Spanish, as well as Portuguese.)
https://turismo.mediotejo.pt/visitar/
A local (central Portuguese) news source reported recently on the newly marked routes to Fatima from 1/ Serta 2/Tomar and 3/ Abrantes (east of Vila Nova da Barquinha on the Tejo/Tagus).
Here's a link to the brochure, with map and elevation...
This site is run by Ivar at in Santiago de Compostela.
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