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  1. Athena

    Camino Portuguese in July

    I realize i'm going at the most crowded time of year (no other time i can go)-- is there a big problem w/ finding accomodations, overcrowding, racing for beds as i here happens on the CF this time of year? Granted, it's been awhile since I did the Caminho Portugues, but even in the "high"...
  2. Athena

    Members Photos

    Haven't been in here for awhile, but just came across this Members Photos Board! Might as well add my mother and I to the mix! It can't believe it's been 2 years since we did the Camino Portugues. Glad to see this site is thriving as much as ever. Pax et Bonum, Athena
  3. Athena

    Where to start

    The Portuguese will greatly appreciate any attempt you'll make to speak their language, but you'll get by with Spanish...or even English if necessary. A few even preferred that I speak to them in English rather than in Spanish. :) And don't overlook the Galegos! Galician cultural is...
  4. Athena

    Where to start

    Hi Shell, I would suggest the best time of year would probably be late summer early fall. Spring could potentially be too wet and muddy, and the summers just seem to be getting hotter and hotter. That said, if summer is the only time you could do it, the Camino Portugues is not as crowded...
  5. Athena

    sellos

    I'm not sure if I met the requirement of two sellos a day for the last 100kms...but they didn't really question me when I handed them my passport. What they did comment on, which I thought was peculiar, was how important it was that I managed to obtain a stamp from the cathedral itself. Upon...
  6. Athena

    Why do it?

    get lost to be found Hi there, I'm actually doing a thesis on the concept of pilgrimage and travel as a religious experience. There's a value in removing yourself from your day to day life and putting yourself in unfamiliar situations. Without the "baggage" of assumed responsibilities and...
  7. Athena

    meson del barro

    my hotel in santiago confirmed my reservation via email, and indicated that they'd call me to obtain my credit card info. they did so when they said they would, so i was comfortable with that. depending on your degree of personal security, i suggest seeing if you can schedule a time to...
  8. Athena

    camino de santiago porto - santago

    hi chuck, i passed through porto en route to tui for the last leg of the caminho portugues in july 2006. if i recall correctly, there were bikes for rent at the sao bento train station...but i'm not sure if they are available for intercity rental. portugal has a great FREE community bike...
  9. Athena

    Post-camino tattoo?

    i saw a group of pereginos (about 4?) that had a blue square with a yellow arrow on their upper arms when i arrived in santiago de compostela. i'm not sure if they were temporary tattoos or real ones, but i thought that was amusing.
  10. Athena

    credit cards en route

    You should be able to use your current debit/VISA check card, but check with your bank for additional charges. Wells Fargo can charge up to $15 as a fee, in addition to conversion charges and a percentage of the charge you're making. Do you have a credit card? Citibank, and large credit...
  11. Athena

    how to care about legs?

    at the end of the day, after cooling down & showering, my mother and i would elevate our legs by leaning them up against a wall for a sort of reverse circulation technique. just for a few minutes 10 to 20 - it's great for your back as well. i also suggest some calf stretches. and hip...
  12. Athena

    Problem with boots

    sandals are extremely light, provide great arch support (at least in my experience with chacos and keens) and dry quickly. they're also 'breathable' and for people whose feet tend to run hot, this is a deal breaker. all just personal preference, i suppose. ever see a picture of st. james...
  13. Athena

    Camino Portugues Pictures (and them some....)

    Hi Olga, It depends what you mean by supplies. The road was isolated a few times, but there were plenty of fuentes along the route that provided water, and most stops are in large enough towns where you could purchase things if necessary. I hope this is useful - let me know if you have...
  14. Athena

    Albergue in Caldas de Reis?

    No Albergue, but Hotel Lotus was affordable and gives a pilgrim discount. I might be worth looking into - as of July 2006, they included breakfast across the street at the cafe.
  15. Athena

    Petroleum jelly on the feet?

    I'm with spursfan on this one - vaseline is great and more readily found (even in Spain), but body glide is a "neater" alternative. It's not as gooey as vaseline and seems to last longer, in my opinion. Also, Avon has a peppermint cooling balm that I used when I did the Avon Walk for Breast...
  16. Athena

    Santiago to Portugal

    We took the Alsa bus from Santiago to Lisbon, and it was VERY convenient. Only one or two buses a day go all the way down to Lisbon, but depending on where you'd like to go in Portugal, they have almost hourly buses out of the Santiago bus station. Happy travels, Athena
  17. Athena

    Lightweight backpacks

    lighter stuff on bottom, heavier on top - to sort of "push" you forward, rather than pull you back (bottom weight).
  18. Athena

    Just bought the wrong shoes...

    i walked in a pair of chacos and had a pair of columbia trail runners to change into from time to time. loved the chacos, they offered great support and the trail runners were conveniently light but sturdy. just enough support without weighing me down. as it's been said before, it'll depend...
  19. Athena

    Lightweight backpacks

    I'm a Gregory gal, myself, but here are some others for consideration: http://moontrail.com/packs-light-overnight.php
  20. Athena

    Re Umbrellas?

    If you find that you miss it, you can pick one up on the road. Otherwise, I'd say leave it behind!

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