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I'm so excited to learn that a new donativo albergue opened in Pamplona in 2023. With a communal meal / traditional welcome as well.
By reading that year's reviews it seems to embody the best of the Camino spirit. I'm hoping the good energy continues as their new season begins for 2024...
Rebekah Scott is a wise and wonderful member of this forum. As you can see by following these links back to her writings, she is part of the beating heart of the Camino in the most practical, passionate, difficult and sublime ways.".
During this time when it is not possible for you to be on the...
A possible solution for the pacer poles: my husband & I took two sets of 'collapsed' walking poles to a hardware store and bought a custom-cut length of heavy duty PVC pipe in a diameter wide enough to agmitwo poles at each end. There was small enough space among the poles for knife, scissors...
I did as Jozero suggesed: Altus poncho (adding gators when needed). It worked perfectly for both of my Camino's on the Frances. Loved both the venting aspect and the ease of keeping the poncho at hand, just wrapping the poncho arms through my pack waist straps and leaving the pack covered as the...
My husband used the same bag with no liner, sometimes adding a borrowed blanket and/or sleeping in his clothes. He also found the underside of the bag twisted upwards as he moved in his sleep.
I used a similar MEC bag for Caminos in both May & Sept-Oct. I used it alone over half my nights. Both walks there were some nights I used it in combination with my silk liner, and some when I also wore a base layer and borrowed a blanket, and other nights that were too hot for even the light...
I think the respect and consideration the poster's question reveals makes a great start on being in the open-hearted mindset of an evolving 'accidental pilgrim'. If you really want to avoid that and have a better a touristic vacation, there is a reason to avoid albergues. They are locked and...
As hospitaleros at Granon parish albergue we were given this explanation of their unique policy to not give a physical stamp for pilgrim credentials . Instead of the souvenir in your pilgrim passport, they want to offer a 'stamp that cannot be so easily lost or forgotten ... a stamp on your...
If you are mailing from outside the EU there may be hold-ups and possbile questions about import duties by Spanois Customs. I recall Ivar warned us about problems he encountered receiving overseas packages sent to him for pick-up by arriving pilgrims. I defer to others if you have direct...
I hope Pia feels strengthened by the love and prayers flying her way from so many parts of the world. Mine come to you both from Nova Scotia, on Canada's Atlantic coast. So many Camino angels help support us on the hard parts of our the path.
There is nothing 'wrong' about shipping your pack, and if injury or disability makes it impossible to carry basic essentials, a few people are forced to do so. It is unfortunate that businesses who make money doing so have created a culture in only 5-6 years that suddenly makes us feel it is...
Thank you for taking the trouble to share your tip Michael. My husband & I (Canadians) will fly through Frankfurt this summer for a 'Camino family' reunion, and to volunteer in an English program nearby. Your message is reminding me of Camino-related pilgrim signs in the Mosel area of Germany...
On the question about what distinguishes the Camino among pilgrim routes -
I heard an explanation from a nun early on the Frances, in the albergue at Zabalika. She referred to three great pilgrimages in the early Christian tradition. The first two were 'to' Jerusalem and 'to' Rome - ie, these...
I have friends who spent their working lives as flights attendants. Based on their experiences compared to what I observed spending over 90 nights along the Camino in 2014 and 2016, think that quote really nails it.
Great advice offered by others already.
There may be days you decide to make a reservation and Orison is so special it's worth it. On the Frances in April I wouldn't worry about finding space. Keep in mind that the policy of volunteer-run parish albergues and municipal albergues is usually that reservations are NOT accepted. Freedom...
Rodrigo, Your group is doing great work. I love the joyful spirituality its your website. It’s a nice idea to encourage people to think about how to reduce risks to the common good which can accidentally come from their actions walking the Way. I hope you understand my next comment is...
Your towel strategy sounds like the norm in the traditional albergues I used on the Frances. I had a sarong too, which proved very versatile as wrap-skirt, picnic-cloth, sHoulder/head-wrap on cold nights, and very occasionally shower-wrap or towel. For warmth sleeping don't count on sufficient...
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