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  1. SilentNight

    Advice on Getting a Second-Hand Gravel Bike?

    The goto website for 2nd hand gravel and mountain bikes is pinkbike.com, which started in 2000. Google pinkbike gravel, then select the top listed link. As of this writing, pinkbike has 146 webpages of gravel bikes and their components available, with 2.9K used bikes available in North America...
  2. SilentNight

    Any experience in using your Non-EU Visa Debit Card with 6-digit PIN in ATMs?

    In my 64 years of travel … I used my debit card 2X at bank-owned ATMs in Spain this past week to get Euros with no problem. To simplify, I change my debit card from a 6 PIN to a 4 PIN before my trip, to ensure compatibility with ATMs in Europe (from past experience). Do change your 6 PIN to a...
  3. SilentNight

    Am I the only one perplexed by WhatsApp?

    Keep in mind that not all hotels/hostels use WhatsApp. To search whether your hotel/hostel is on WhatsApp, open the app. At the top, enter the hotel/hostel’s name. WhatsApp will display whether the hotel/hostel uses WhatsApp. If they are on WhatsApp, select the phone icon to call them. If no one...
  4. SilentNight

    The one thing I should have done before I left for the Camino

    So for some of us, this is not a joking matter. I’m looking through the perspective of personal, direct experience with the 2018 Woolsey Fire. One of my good friends from church, who had the same autoimmune diseases as me, was hospitalized for 3 weeks for smoke inhalation, before succumbing. I...
  5. SilentNight

    The one thing I should have done before I left for the Camino

    If you’re in the USA, when asking for an extension, do you know that you must estimate your tax owed and pay it anyway by the usual tax deadline, not the extension date? Otherwise, you’ll be assessed penalties for not paying your estimated taxes on time, despite your filing date extension.
  6. SilentNight

    The one thing I should have done before I left for the Camino

    My local sheriff deputy said no. Any would be thief or burglar, as well as identity thieves, knows now that you are not home for a long time. Instead, tell those you want that you’ll be away, and to please not leave any messages until your return. In case they must reach you, ask them to...
  7. SilentNight

    The one thing I should have done before I left for the Camino

    These matters were not yet addressed: Put your water heater on vacation mode. Put your refrigerator(s) on vacation mode. Shut off the thermostat/HVAC, unless you live in snow country, then put it in vacation mode. Be sure to remove any compostable trash before your departure. Test any skylights...
  8. SilentNight

    A Camino medical tale with a few lessons

    Thank God you were well cared for, no matter the language barrier, and yay for your recovery! Also, thanks for the excellent advice. In my experience in the US of my more than dozen emergencies, the ambulance EMTs hold my hand when I’m in dire circumstances. Most of the EMTs later stopped by my...
  9. SilentNight

    How to call a US cell number from the US (when the phone is in Spain)

    I have T-Mobile as well. When calling from the USA, my family and friends called like normal, as if they were making a phone call to me when I was in the States. Same when I called/texted family or friends, I used their normal phone numbers. The calls were crystal clear. There is no need to...
  10. SilentNight

    Lisbon airport, and not to be missed in Lisbon?

    Thank you all for the wealth of suggestions and information! I’m so grateful and glad to be a part of this pilgrim community. Jungleboy, your terrific article educated me on Lisbon history, besides making me want to do as much as possible in your article. I was truly hoping that Phoenician...
  11. SilentNight

    Luggage transfers from Lisbon to Porto

    Goofed, thanks. I updated my comment, and gave you attribution.
  12. SilentNight

    What exercises to do to strengthen lower back?

    Firstly, with a major L5/S1 problem, how are you able to road cycle without chronic pain? And clearly, you’re way beyond supermen, swimmer and other beginner back strengthening exercises. Like you, I have major lumbar ( L1 (gone from a burst fracture), L4, L5) and major cervical (C3-C7) issues...
  13. SilentNight

    Luggage transfers from Lisbon to Porto

    Lisbon to Porto. I booked luggagedriver.com (not luggageservice.com, thanks to Trecile for spotting my goof). They’re communicative, respond the next day at the latest (I’m 7 hrs behind the time in Portugal), and not outrageously priced. They addressed my questions adroitly and quickly. They...
  14. SilentNight

    Lisbon airport, and not to be missed in Lisbon?

    I haven’t seen a question on this, so if I missed it, sorry. I’m sure a pilgrim or two have experienced this. I scheduled a private van pickup of my group of 3 from the Lisbon Airport to our lodging. The driver messaged that he will wait for one hour after the plane’s arrival. I figure that I...
  15. SilentNight

    When plans go pear-shaped …. Need Meseta strategy with a recovering bruised hip

    As someone who has experienced extensive bruising (and abrasions) from falls, and slow to heal, I can share hopeful news. Now that your injury no longer unbearably hampers your walking, and there’s little to no expectation of another fall before full recovery, know that your now green/yellow...
  16. SilentNight

    LIVE from the Camino Coastal route with 2 kids

    I admire you as brave, young parents, hiking with your children. We took our children wilderness backpacking from the age of 5, when they first trekked the Trinity Alps Wilderness (formally Ansel Adams). They both carried kid-size hip packs, holding a juice box and goldfish crackers. We found...
  17. SilentNight

    Overcrowding in Santiago

    I appreciate your sage comments and advice, sensibility, and helpfulness. I have read your responses in a dozen or more posts, and you are my favorite seasoned pilgrim to read and learn from because you stay focused on helping other pilgrims. Thank you for your generous spirit to help us pilgrim...
  18. SilentNight

    Merino wool shirt

    I had widely different experiences wearing the merino wool for hiking in winter weather vs. mountain biking. BTW, I’m maybe 10 years older than you. The merino wool 185 shirt worked well for hiking in mid-February. The trail still had snow on the ground, a chill wind blew, and we started...
  19. SilentNight

    Two injured and disorientated pilgrims rescued by Guardia Civil near Pereje

    So glad that the Garda rescued them. Inexperienced hikers and any combination of rough terrain, bad weather, a rain-swollen river, rain-slicked trail surfaces, weather or foliage-obscured trail signage, and simply going astray can lead to these peregrinos losing their way, falling, and becoming...
  20. SilentNight

    Chinese shops???

    Forget foreign chargers. I liked using this travel adapter in Europe in multiple countries, plugging my USA cables and devices in. Bought before I left home. This is not a converter. I brought only devices with dual voltage, 120v/240+v...

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