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  1. good_old_shoes

    Alternative to Pamplona for overnight

    Many of the most amazing albergues do not take reservations - like Zabaldika, Granon, Bercianos... give albergues like that a chance if you can. In june, usually it is not that busy that reservations are needed every night.
  2. good_old_shoes

    Alternative to Pamplona for overnight

    Yes, they play music in the morning as a wake up call. But they also ask everyone not to get up before that, please, so that people can sleep and there's no bag rustling at 4:40, not half a dozen alarms ringing at different times, ect.. I like that concept. I stayed there three times now, and...
  3. good_old_shoes

    Alternative to Pamplona for overnight

    If you want a more quiet, smaller albergue in Pamplona, try Casa Paderborn (when entering town, go left at the bridge). It's a german-run albergue with few beds, located next to a park area, but still close to the city center, and from my experience is a much more quiet place than for example...
  4. good_old_shoes

    Compostela: Electric Bikes Excluded?

    I've had a collision with a bike on the Camino. I was lucky that it was a young, fit cyclist on a lightweight mountain bike, who chose to half crash into a fence instead of completely running over me. Result was a few scratches for the cyclist and a big scare and slightly bruised knee for me...
  5. good_old_shoes

    "What a hardcore thru-hiker can learn on the Camino de Santiago"

    Thanks for sharing! I really like this quote: "This is the nature of the vast majority of traditional pilgrimages [...] They happen in crowds. This isn’t a bug in the system. It’s a feature." I'll probably borrow that last sentence often from now on!
  6. good_old_shoes

    Is the Camino too crowded?

    September (together with april/may) is one of the most busy months on the Camino Francés (for a start from St. Jean / Roncesvalles). So be aware that you're planning to walk in high season. If you want a less crowded Francés, choose any time apart from april/ may and september. Summer (June...
  7. good_old_shoes

    Help with accommodation on Camino Francés

    The mistake might be to look on booking. dot. Most of the Camino pilgrim accommodation is NOT listed on booking. So you'll only be shown very few beds, only a fraction of what exists. On top of that, even the few albergues that are listed in that app will only sell very few of their beds via...
  8. good_old_shoes

    Appointment needed to go to health Center ?

    I went to the centro de salud several times over the years (Fromista, Carrion, Piedrafita, and Triacastela), and never had an appointment. It was no problem. Ask the hospitaleros, they can tell you where to go and what's the opening hours! Get well soon!
  9. good_old_shoes

    To those who brought a tent: How do I keep the total weight down?

    Even if you do not wild camp, there are ~ 20 official campsites on the Francés or within reachable distance from it. They're reasonably priced (~ same as albergues) and offer hot showers, sometimes a restaurant/ bar on site or even a good swimming pool! What's wrong with using them? Plus the...
  10. good_old_shoes

    To those who brought a tent: How do I keep the total weight down?

    My clothes are already lightweight, and I carry very few clothes to begin with (some of it is Decathlon - I agree that they have lightweight, good quality for not much money). Sleeping bag is 1kg+ but for the warmth it offers, probably light (and it was very expensive!). With a different tent...
  11. good_old_shoes

    To those who brought a tent: How do I keep the total weight down?

    But you probably use expensive, specialized ultralight gear, I'd guess? I get down to 10 (8 in summer when I know weather will be very good) with water and snacks with a very heavy backpack and a 1,5kg tent. And that weight also includes one can of emergency beer 😂. Good enough for me. 12kg...
  12. good_old_shoes

    To those who brought a tent: How do I keep the total weight down?

    I bring the same things I bring when not walking with a tent. The only thing that is added is the tent. I'm a cold sleeper so I always carry a warm sleeping bag, anyway. And I like to take naps during the day, so I always bring my sleeping mat. I don't really do packing lists, so can't give...
  13. good_old_shoes

    Heavily pruned trees

    Probably plane trees I think (if google translate is doing its job correctly - "Platane" in german). They get very big leaves. The way they're pruned, they're like a living roof or umbrella in summer, giving lots of shade.
  14. good_old_shoes

    Social anxiety on the camimo

    True. But it is still a massively different situation to what many people experience in normal every day life at home. It's a certain kind of people who go on that kind of pilgrimage, and the pilgrimage situation makes many people more open than they'd be at home. At least the "overall pilgrim...
  15. good_old_shoes

    Social anxiety on the camimo

    I have social anxiety. Before my first Camino, it was quite severe. After several Caminos, it is still there, but much much better, and sometimes I barely notice it anymore. Most of the time I am not afraid of people anymore. I even changed my career for a few years, working very closely with...
  16. good_old_shoes

    Getting topical steroids in Spain? (prescription strength)

    I'd probably just go to a centro de salud. One year I had very bad bed bug bites and went to the pharmacy to buy a cream. The pharmacist told me, if it doesn't get better, I need to go to the urgencias. The over the counter cream didn't help at all, but I was lucky and another pilgrim had a...
  17. good_old_shoes

    LIVE from the Camino Current big wave at beginning of Francés

    Well, I've certainly kept mine, which I brought to every Camino since 2017, even when I didn't camp...
  18. good_old_shoes

    LIVE from the Camino Current big wave at beginning of Francés

    Yep. I now always bring my tent. Not because I'm worried about accommodation, but it certainly means more choice of where to sleep at night, especially when walking longer days / well into the evening. The campsites also have good, hot showers. And I can leave beds to those who do not have the...
  19. good_old_shoes

    LIVE from the Camino SJPdP “Completo” tonight!

    I've been reading a bit in some facebook groups, and the impression I get is that many (!) pilgrims starting right now are completely oblivious to the fact that april/may are high season for a start from St. Jean, and also have no clue that there are many holidays in may that bring not only many...
  20. good_old_shoes

    Accommodation worries — Camino Francés

    I am also a solo walking female and don't book if I can avoid it. If you prefer not to make reservations, you could try to walk off-stage until Pamplona, which usually makes it easier to find a bed. Most pilgrims will walk St Jean - (Orisson / Borda) - Roncesvalles - Zubiri (or Larassoana) -...

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