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I also stayed in a hotel in Bilbao, Tryp Arenal. They kept my luggage for 6 weeks. Lovely staff, very friendly and accustomed to pilgrims. I highly recommend the hotel. My suitcase was kept in a locked storage closet behind the desk. All was safe and sound when I got back to spend 2 nights...
I just returned from walking the Frances. No phone. Every host/hospitalero I asked was happy to help by making a call for me. I provided the phone number, usually from Brierley. Re travel insurance, yes, a good idea.
I stayed there in a private room a couple of nights ago. I had requested a private room when I made the reservation through the host in my previous night's albergue. The bed had just about the best mattress yet - 8 inches of dense foam! Great sleep that night and, yes, the food was great...
I'm one who has used the bus while recovering from injury, seeking medical care and being advised to rest. Walking again but will transport pack from here to avoid stressing the injured hip and feet. I am firmly in the camp that it's about the walk and the "confraternity" and not whether or...
Look for John and Alicia. He a tall goateed American with a broadbrimmed hat, she a much shorter, very cute hispanic woman. I think the will be in St. John leaving on the 28th. My son and his girlfriend. They are a month behind me.
My first day was Roncevalles to Zubiri. Any companions I'd had left me behind as I was so slow. Down into Zubiri wad the scariest of my life. My feet felt like 20 lb weights, my legs like jelly, and it was almost 6 pm when a friendly man on the bridge offered me his last pension room. Thank...
Additionally, if you stick to Brierley, you might miss some wonderful albergues like San Bol (my favorite so ) far, or Boadilla (En El Camino). Not to mention the nondescript town of Villatuerta with a wonderful albergue that may not bee there much longer, Casa Magica. There are several others...
Sergio, there is a NorCal chapter of American Pilgrims on the Camino (APOC)(). They organize annual get togethers - I went to the one in Feb. in Pleasant Hill. Folks from as far east as Lincoln, far south as Monterey/Carmel, and from Sonoma and Napa counties. I'll be starting my Camino in 10...
Hope I'm not hijacking this question but if there is no bus between April 8 and 30, how does one get to Roncesvalles/SJPDP during that time? I have to get from Bilbao to Roncesvalles on April 16 and had planned on bus transportation. Any advice?
Karin
I love my Talon 44. That being said, water bottle access is not easy. BUT - I did find my favorite little gizmo at REI. It has a 'c' type holder for the top of almost any size bottle and it hooks to the front of your pack or anywhere you want to attach it. Just pop it out of the "c", drink...
Many folks seem to prefer natural in whatever touches their bodies. I've found the silk liners wear through pretty quickly during my training. The synthetics I got from REI are working beautifully. I also tried one pair of merino wool/synthetic blend and it also is doing well.
Trish from "Girls on the Way" mentioned using something called Hikegoo for her daughter's feet. I ordered some and it is wonderful! Slather on, gently put on sock liners and then good socks, and I'm good for my 10-12 mile training hikes in all sorts of terrain. I, too, am bothered by...
Re: Buying Gear in Pamplona - Altus poncho?
I was just about to ask that question. I tried to order the Altus to have shipped to my hotel in Bilbao. Unfortunately PayPal doesnt' allow payment when shipping to an address outside of the US. Sure would be nice if Caminoteca could get them in...
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