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I'm not sure how many times the guidebook said that a fountain was just up ahead only to find that it wasn't working or had a sign marking it "non potable."
I burned through water on my Camino, especially during the early days. Half a liter might get some people through the day, but that...
Ten years ago to the day, I returned home from walking the Camino Frances. People asked me if I would do it again, and I said absolutely. I thought I'd be going back in "3 to 4 years." Obviously, that didn't happen. Life gets in the way, I guess. Job changes, life situation changes, etc.
But I...
That is the only spot I fell on the whole Camino. Luckily enough it was lined with thorn bushes to break my fall.
But I'd say the most dangerous section is the decent from the big hill after Castrojeriz. It was pouring rain and the concrete was as slick as a slip-n-slide.
I recommend getting some euros from a bank in the US so you have some money ready to go when you land. Even though I had informed my bank when and where I would be traveling, my card still didn't work when I got over to Europe and it took me a while to get the situation fixed.
Regarding cigarettes, as it was explained to me, Spain has a law that cigarettes can only be sold in "Tabacos" shops or from vending machines. Most bars have cigarette vending machines if the town doesn't have a Tabacos shop. You might have to ask the bartender to turn it on for you. They have a...
GPS. Not for navigation, but to keep track of actual distances, times, etc. I used a free app on my tablet when I walked and I'm glad I did, the information has come in very handy.
Battery packs. We all know that theft happens on the Camino and it can happen quickly. I'd rather lose a $40...
There seems to be a Casa Rural in Villamarco called Pozo Villa, although the website doesn't load. It's hard to say if it's open or not. Also, on the Villamarco facebook page, they made mention of opening up an albergue, although I'm not sure if it is open yet.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BGY8WW2/?tag=casaivar02-20
This weighs about 2 lbs and is insulated down to 45 degrees F. I found it very comfortable for summer camping. I think it would be perfect for the Camino.
Neither had I.
I saw many pilgrims, those who were in fantastic physical shape, real athletes. I saw them up at the crack of dawn each morning, breezing along the path like it was nothing, passing my fat butt who was huffing and puffing after half a mile on flat ground like I was standing...
Starting that late means you'll be walking in the dark for at least some of it. So make sure you have a headlight/flashlight and extra batteries just in case. The area you are walking in should be well marked, but stay alert. It's easy enough to take the wrong path in the daytime, and even more...
For me, it was quicker and cheaper to fly to Paris and take the train to St. Jean. I found a very cheap but nice room for 40 euros. And I didn't do any sightseeing while I was there. I went from the airport to my room, then to the train station the next morning. A flight from Minneapolis to...
I wondered about Villamarco too when I passed it!
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/villamarco-and-other-towns-the-camino-missed.29687/
Strangely, a town I didn't visit occupies a lot of my thoughts about the Camino. I guess because it reminds me of some of the small towns here...
Well, my in-the-field test of Dawn went awry, but I do have experience using it as an everyday soap. (I've worked plenty of jobs where I get dirty and greasy every day.) As far as dry skin goes, in the summer time, it was never really a problem. Since I was showering at night and then just...
I made 25 miles in 2 days, before I decided to give up and go home. The back of my heels were torn to shreds, I could barely walk because of pain in my back and legs. (This is in spite of the training I did.) I had planned to walk all of the trail through North Dakota, a distance of 430 miles...
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