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  1. Chacharm

    Any first timer tips?

    Small, manageable and light. 2 changes of clothes, tech everything - stuff that will wash and dry very quickly. Layers - you'll be cold if it is wet or in the mornings and hot in the afternoons. Anything you need you can buy on the way. You don't need any cool camping gear. Just water and clean...
  2. Chacharm

    3 simple questions: Lock, sleeping bag/liner, PJs

    Provocative? I see men in auberges walking around naked and in tiny thong type underwear. I am not going to trouble myself with how "provocative" my sleeping attire might be to some peregrino!
  3. Chacharm

    3 simple questions: Lock, sleeping bag/liner, PJs

    I don't CARE if anyone sees my undies. You'll often be sharing space with men - underwear will be seen. In fact, my black tech sports bra and Patagonia underwear often double as bathing suit. Shrug. I carry a black cotton T shirt dress. I have had it on every Camino. I hate sleeping in...
  4. Chacharm

    What is the one luxury or non-essential item you would bring with you?

    My paperweight Kindle. I read all the time. It is how I put myself to sleep - and I can use it in the dark and not disturb anyone. I can sit out in the sun and read. And my iPod. There are days when I think that if I hear the sound of my own feet tromping the ground for another second I will...
  5. Chacharm

    sleeping bag or liner?

    I carry both, both drenched in permethrin. I like to read at night and I generally used the liner to cover my top half while I read, or to cover the top half of the bed/pillow as a buffer between my skin and the unknown bedding/potential bugs.
  6. Chacharm

    Please what type of sandals/shoes for walking the Camino ?

    Just make sure they are light and that socks can be worn with them. Tired, cold, wet, swollen feet don't want to be crammed into a toe strap. I have a pair of Merrill's that are very light weight and comfortable. I have never carried Crocs - they seem so huge!
  7. Chacharm

    Teva women's sandals

    I have 5 pairs of Teva or Teva type sandals. I was on Camino with a pair of Chacos (HATED them. The stiff straps hurt and they had a toe strap - no socks could be worn with them) and a pair of Tevas that I replaced them with. Second Camino I had a different pair that were a lot more rugged than...
  8. Chacharm

    Camino arse

    I am glad Vaseline works for so many - but there is a reason it isn't recommended. It can actually cause the painful blisters you get from chafing - and if blisters are there it traps the dirt and bacteria. Which is why you don't use it for diaper rash. This stuff is a combination of diaper rash...
  9. Chacharm

    Last minute footwear dilemma!

    I walked my first Camino with very expensive Italian hiking boots. I suffered from blisters a bit until I got to the Meseta and then the blisters just about ended my Camino. I surrendered to the fact of blisters in my life (I have always been prone) and was prepared to wear the same boots on my...
  10. Chacharm

    Camino arse

    Vaseline...like Glide...can cause a problem rather than prevent it. And it definitely will not help if the problem already exists.
  11. Chacharm

    Camino arse

    We did have a thread about this but I cannot remember its title. But we were talking about chafing in the groin area...remember? I mentioned this to a friend and she recommended this stuff: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FKLKXQ/?tag=casaivar02-20 If you read the comments men say it is great...
  12. Chacharm

    Sticks, planes and perambulation

    Thank you all! Very helpful!
  13. Chacharm

    Sticks, planes and perambulation

    I bought an excellent pair of walking sticks in Pamplona on my first Camino and they really saved the day. I named them Poncho and Lefty. They were not telescopic so they did not slip or slide and they held up very well. They cost about 100 euro so I created a box at the airport, wrapped them up...
  14. Chacharm

    Dealing with sweaty back from backpack

    I spend more time cold than hot (and I live in TX) and decided last year that I didn't care that my pack really made back heat an issue. And it wasn't that big a deal for the 2-3 hours a day of training I was doing. But 8 hours a day means extreme back heat is a problem. Consider days spent...
  15. Chacharm

    Packing Revisited 2016: What NOT to take and etc.

    This year I am taking a 32 liter pack as well. Moleskin Basic toiletries Knife 1 Change of clothes 3 prs underwear 2 bras 3 pairs smartwool socks Tevas Poncho gloves sticks Hat sleeping bag Pack of cards Boom. Done.
  16. Chacharm

    Help a sister out - I have no thigh gap

    My son - who is in good shape and slender - had a very serious issue with this. He had anti-chafing lube, tech boxers and plenty of thigh gap. I had no gap and panties. But I don't have any pink bits that dangle. He does. The giant sores that developed between the dangling pink bits and his...
  17. Chacharm

    Got my New Slender Macabi

    Oh wow! I wasn't aware they were making one! I secretly think my voluminous Macabi was to blame for my Camino-ending fall down the stairs in the albuergue in Gernika. I loved wearing it but golly it is a LOT of skirt. This one looks great!
  18. Chacharm

    Toenail polish question

    I had my boots, super light flip flops and the aforementioned toe teva type sandals. In Leon I bought a pair of incredibly comfortable running shoes and wore them as often as not, saving the boots for rough terrain days. If you go and get a pedi about a month before, and ask them to just buff...
  19. Chacharm

    Toenail polish question

    Ha! I thought about this too....before I walked. Mani/Pedi places are hard to find in Europe in the BIG cities. Let alone the villages. Your nails look good. They're cut too short and too rounded - walking 8 hours a day with nails cut that short could spell ingrown toenails for you. Cut short...
  20. Chacharm

    Trekking pole/s or traditional staff?

    I think there is little to no chance of that. But plenty of people handle them without sticks! Now - I might change my tune for THIS staff!

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