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  1. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    First Albergue experience ever - What is the norm?

    I never booked anywhere. Hostels do fill up. Allow The Way to provide. Oh, and “normal” is a setting on the washing machine. Buen Camino
  2. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    Sleeping bag - yes or no?

    This is for anyone and everyone. I was a hospitalera for a season. Many pilgrims have an expectation that someone else will take care of them. In some instances this may be true. However, pilgrims need to take responsibility for themselves. Bring a sleeping bag. You may never use it. But if you...
  3. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    Bedbugs confirmed, Albergue Monte Irago, Foncebadón

    Lol! Yeah, I meant to mention that. But I think it was also thought, it might delouse them too.
  4. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    Bedbugs confirmed, Albergue Monte Irago, Foncebadón

    For better or for worse, bed bugs are an aspect of the Camino. I think it is much ado about nothing. I always think back to what it must have been like throughout history. Most pilgrims had nothing. And if they weren’t robbed, beaten or murdered, they very likely arrived in Santiago sick...
  5. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    New water filter - 2 oz.

    For really dirty or muddy water you need a pre-filter to remove the big chunks. I've used a bandana or the like. For real expeditionary back country travel, I use an MSR Sweetwater. It's got a pre-filter. Very easy to clean the ceramic cartridge. On my bike rides, I'm using the MSR Micro flow...
  6. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    New water filter - 2 oz.

    I think the Sawyer is an excellant choice for the Camino. It's small, light, effective and easy to use. It's not something I'd take on a major expedition but perfect in this application. I might suggest adding a larger platypus. The threds match up and the larger platypus is a little more...
  7. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    Leaving a loved one...

    Emotions are good. And so is adventure and travel. It stimulates us in so many ways. Being apart from loved ones is also healthy. Difficult but it challenges us. Having said that. I find my device a huge distraction. I didn't have one at all on my last walk. I was fine. Consider alternatives...
  8. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    Am I too laid back?

    You'll be fine. Are you walking a pilgrimage or taking a cheap vacation? This is what you need to ask yourself. If it's the former, the Camino provides. I never planned anything. It was the best decision I ever made. I slept out a few times by choice. Two trips on the Frances and never stayed in...
  9. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    Is Dousing My Silk Bag with Pemetherin (for bed bugs) a Bad Idea?

    Yes. It's a bad idea...
  10. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    Do i need to plan?! Advice

    You have a condition common in "Western culture". It's called, IneedtoknowbecauseIdon'tlikesurprisesandbyplanningevdrysecondofmydayIremaininabsutecontrol. The cure for which is to leave your device at home (where you won't need a charger), walk every day with a prayer and the mantra, I am open...
  11. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    Booking hostels in advance

    I never booked in anywhere. It was fine. Ask yourself a simple question: Am I walking a pilgrimage or am I on a cheap holiday? The two are very different. Buen Camino!
  12. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    Walking the Via De La Plata - Oct / Nov - advice needed

    Dress warm, bring rain gear and a warm sleeping bag. It gets cold as you go north.
  13. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    My new pack. Show me yours!

    Just want to point out that "The rule of thumb" is based on an archaic law that stated, "A man shall use the width of his thumb to dictate the width of the switch he may legally use to beat his wife and children." It's a pet peave of mine and I'm hoping we can come up with alternatives to said...
  14. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    Begging for money along the camino

    Here's my two cents, which byntje way is probably not worrh that much. Anyway, I survived on the streets as a busker (street musician) for a long time. I was good, very good and I made bank. But it is haaard work people. I learned that there is a skill and an art to it. I had about .5 seconds to...
  15. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    Taxi in inclement weather?

    Silly notion? Downright dangerous! If you're not even willing to carry rain gear and believe a "taxi" will come to your rescue, I'm not sure this pilgrimage or any extended time outdoors is a good idea for you. This would create problems for other people.
  16. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    camping options

    I camped on the French route. It's not practical really but it was handy for getting away from crowded hostels. I often took the way less travelled when there was the option. It's not necessarily legal to wild camp in Spain. I often asked in the small towns and villages and never had a problem...
  17. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    Having Second Thoughts

    Apologies for the expletive without advance warning.
  18. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    Albergues for cyclists; riding el Camino in April

    I've ridden the Camino. Never had a problem at an alburgue. I think that's either a myth OR one cyclist encountered a grumpy, frumpy hospitalero. The other thing I want to point out is: unless you're in a time crunch or have issues with walking, don't cycle it. The reasons: 1. As far as bike...
  19. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    How hard are these stages?

    Second that.... Don't plan AND if you are using Brierly's, the only thing it's good for is starting fires or toilet paper.
  20. obinjatoo@yahoo.com

    Having Second Thoughts

    It would be really easy to be a smart ass about it but I won't. I will say this however. I work with adolescents and young adults in therapeutic wilderness programming. And I know it is really tough to be a high schooler or freshman college kid. I wouldn't want to do it again. Converesly, we are...

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