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Recent content by andarapie

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    Musical instruments on the Camino.

    I carried a Taylor GS Mini (6lbs) on two caminos, just attached the gig bag to my backpack with bungies and straps. It is extra weight, but I'm glad I took it. I would often stop during the day and practice for an hour. I only played it for other people if they asked me to. That has pluses...
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    Casa Fernanda?

    I stayed at Casa Fernanda's last summer, and I don't understand some of these comments. "An after-dinner show?" That did not happen the night I was there. There were drinks in the garden before dinner, and then dinner inside the house, and then some people sang a few songs afterward. None of...
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    LIVE from the Camino Primitivo or Finishing el Norte

    Hospitales is very beautiful (if it isn't raining) with amazing views and I highly recommend it, but it is a long day of walking without any villages between your start and finish. I'd recommend booking ahead pretty much everywhere on the Primitivo, because it is very crowded compared to...
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    Recommendations for Camino del Norte Guidebook

    The Cicerone website publishes annual updates on the webpage for the book, and the author Dave Whitson also posts updates in a spreadsheet on this site. But I second what @dougfitz wrote. I have found the most up-to-date information to be on the gronze.com website. I used the Cicerone guide...
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    Packing for the Norte vs Frances

    For what it's worth, I never had any problem finding a place to get something to eat or drink at some point in the day. (Unlike the Primitivo, where the Hospitales day is all in the wilderness.)
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    Packing for the Norte vs Frances

    Your shoes should be fine. If it has rained, portions of the Camino will be muddy, but if you have a pole or two, it's sufficient stability (I just used a walking stick). As I mentioned above, I'd recommend an umbrella that covers you and your pack, because you can unfurl it in a second and...
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    Packing for the Norte vs Frances

    Most hostels have blankets. Given the possibility of bedbugs, whether or not you want to use them is a question.
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    Packing for the Norte vs Frances

    I did the Norte in June 2021. There was a lot of rain, particularly in the Basque Country. I would highly recommend a lightweight umbrella (like the Euroschirm ones that Ivar sells), because you can pull it out and unfurl it in a second, and a poncho for you and your pack, because at some...
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    Language barrier

    When I walked the Primitivo, I, with my trusty high school Spanish, had to act as interpreter for Italians and Germans who had no Spanish and wanted to make reservations or ask directions. They had assumed that the Spanish people they encountered would know enough English for them to get by...
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    Camino Norte or repeat Camino Frances

    I did the Norte to the Primitivo last year, and did not find the Primitivo difficult - in terms of ups and downs, the first week of the Norte was more work (though of course I was in much better shape by the time I got to the Primitivo.) The Primitivo also very beautiful, though not as...
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    Camino Norte or repeat Camino Frances

    My two cents: I did the Norte in the summer of '21, and there were plenty of pilgrims on it, and the only problem with infrastructure was albergues closed or at half-capacity because of Covid (which is not a problem now). In the summer, you are also competing with tourists for beds in the...
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    Best part of Del Norte Scenery and walk.?

    I walked a good bit of the Norte last year with a guy who did it with his dog. He was camping outside of albergues, and never had a problem. Eventually the dog got tired of walking so far every day, so he had his parents come pick up the dog (he lived in Pamplona). On the other hand, I met a...
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    First time on Camino del Norte

    Irun to Bilbao is a little more difficult than Bilbao to Santander, but it is also much more beautiful and has much better food (food in the Basque Country is leagues above the standard Spanish fare in Cantabria). Gronze has 7 stages for this part, but you can easily do it in 6 days. I would...
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    Advice needed with Camino del Norte route

    I would also recommend starting in Irun or Hondarribia, for me the views from Mt. Jaizkabel were probably the best of the whole camino, though it was also the hardest day for me as I was out of shape and carrying too much stuff (much of which I mailed from San Sebastian to Santiago). As...
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    Shortened version of Camino del Norte

    But the most beautiful (and delicious) part of the del Norte is the first week from Irun to Bilbao. Even with counting a day each to fly in to San Sebastian (or wherever you are flying) and out, and a day after and before each flight to accomodate the time change and rest, you should have time...
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