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  1. truenorthpilgrm

    Help with accommodation on Camino Francés

    My guiding light in that department is: pay whatever I would pay at say, a private albergue. Donativos are special places (IMHO) and I want to make sure I "pay it forward" (as there's always someone who thinks donativos are free). Also, if I can afford a plane ticket to Spain, I can afford to...
  2. truenorthpilgrm

    Snoring. AARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!

    Which goes with the territory of sleeping in a roomful of other pilgrims. The OP's laundry list is a good example of a ridiculous extreme.
  3. truenorthpilgrm

    Snoring. AARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!

    If you're signing up to sleep in a room with 5-20 other people for 30+ days, bank on snoring happening. It's your job to figure out if you can deal with this. If you cannot deal, and if earplugs don't work for you (some folks have inner ear issues), book private accommodations, or don't go on a...
  4. truenorthpilgrm

    Re: Current Lunch Prices

    I think it's safe to say most people understand the concept of preparation. It was the manner in which those "essential points" were dispensed.
  5. truenorthpilgrm

    Re: Current Lunch Prices

    Paul, In looking back on your comment history (since early 2023), it seems you are rather preoccupied with the notion that one is deemed ready for a camino...only by pre-practice trips to Europe, in order to "gain travel skills". It's extremely paternalistic and off-putting. And...I also...
  6. truenorthpilgrm

    Re: Current Lunch Prices

    I couldn't help but revisit the definition of paternalism after reading Paul Jacobi's comments.
  7. truenorthpilgrm

    standard of living/quality of life in Spain

    the most truthful comment on this thread....
  8. truenorthpilgrm

    Pilgrimage - selfish?

    I want to honor the OP's feelings of grief, as I felt this deeply upon returning to Bali last summer. I was lucky to "be stuck" on that island for two years during the pandemic. And living there during those quiet pandemic years was equal parts amazing and depressing, as the Balinese heavily...
  9. truenorthpilgrm

    The Camino will provide?

    But what you listed out are situations that are, in reality, everyday common occurrences, not necessarily a result of poor planning, which I might suggest, are your personal expectations.
  10. truenorthpilgrm

    The Camino will provide?

    Haven't we all left something on a bench, left an item behind in an albegue (yep, that would be me!) or didn't get a chance to pack food because a store was closed? Personally, I'd want to be the person sharing an apple or snacks with a hungry pilgrim (maybe they have low blood sugar), or...
  11. truenorthpilgrm

    If there are too many pilgrims, what is a pilgrim to do?

    You'll hear no criticism from me, and your post perfectly sums up my feelings re the changes on the Frances. As a result, I've decided it's time for me to to "branch out" to other routes, should I hear the call again. I do find it interesting some folks who feel the need to "defend" the camino...
  12. truenorthpilgrm

    LIVE from the Camino Feels Unpleasantly Busy on the Camino Frances (May Day, 2024)

    Good for you and thanks for sharing! There's room for everyone's experience (including the OP's, which I was simply agreeing with).
  13. truenorthpilgrm

    Holed Up With a Nasty Cold

    Same here! What is it about those nuns? I fell apart when one of them looked into my eyes and hugged me like my gramma did!
  14. truenorthpilgrm

    LIVE from the Camino Feels Unpleasantly Busy on the Camino Frances (May Day, 2024)

    I think you nailed what I was feeling on my camino exactly a year ago; unpleasantly busy.
  15. truenorthpilgrm

    Who is going to Viloria de Rioja? I forgot to donate in Albergue parada Viloria.

    Rather than asking internet strangers to be the middle man, reach out to the albergue directly and ask if you can send cash via old fashioned mail. If you aren't conversational in Spanish, ask someone who is fluent.
  16. truenorthpilgrm

    Who is going to Viloria de Rioja? I forgot to donate in Albergue parada Viloria.

    Can you contact the albergue itself and pay them via bank transfer?
  17. truenorthpilgrm

    LIVE from the Camino They are recommending the Valcarlos route tomorrow, how foolish would it be to go Napoleon?

    The pilgrims office often has volunteers who speak French, German, English, Spanish - I'm sure those volunteers vary throughout the year. It's not really an unreasonable expectation. Many ppl who live along the border are also dual language speakers.
  18. truenorthpilgrm

    Accommodation worries

    Speaking as a solo female traveler, having walked the CF three times, you'll always find a bed. Having said that, book through at least Pamplona. Once you get a feel for the trail and work out your routine (and muscles), play it by ear.
  19. truenorthpilgrm

    LIVE from the Camino They are recommending the Valcarlos route tomorrow, how foolish would it be to go Napoleon?

    The context behind some of the finger wagging (which I don't wholly disagree with) is the Pyrenees is notorious for sudden weather changes. There are a few shelters along the route expressly for this reason. In the past, pilgrims have completely disregarded weather, trying to outwit the...
  20. truenorthpilgrm

    LIVE from the Camino They are recommending the Valcarlos route tomorrow, how foolish would it be to go Napoleon?

    I understand everyone's concern about safety (and language...though the OP is fluent in two languages), but perhaps piling on someone asking genuine questions in good faith isn't the best look for us?

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