This is for anyone and everyone. I was a hospitalera for a season. Many pilgrims have an expectation that someone else will take care of them. In some instances this may be true. However, pilgrims need to take responsibility for themselves. Bring a sleeping bag. You may never use it. But if you...
For better or for worse, bed bugs are an aspect of the Camino. I think it is much ado about nothing.
I always think back to what it must have been like throughout history. Most pilgrims had nothing. And if they weren’t robbed, beaten or murdered, they very likely arrived in Santiago sick...
For really dirty or muddy water you need a pre-filter to remove the big chunks. I've used a bandana or the like.
For real expeditionary back country travel, I use an MSR Sweetwater. It's got a pre-filter. Very easy to clean the ceramic cartridge. On my bike rides, I'm using the MSR Micro flow...
I think the Sawyer is an excellant choice for the Camino. It's small, light, effective and easy to use. It's not something I'd take on a major expedition but perfect in this application. I might suggest adding a larger platypus. The threds match up and the larger platypus is a little more...
Emotions are good. And so is adventure and travel. It stimulates us in so many ways. Being apart from loved ones is also healthy. Difficult but it challenges us.
Having said that. I find my device a huge distraction. I didn't have one at all on my last walk. I was fine.
Consider alternatives...
You'll be fine. Are you walking a pilgrimage or taking a cheap vacation? This is what you need to ask yourself. If it's the former, the Camino provides. I never planned anything. It was the best decision I ever made. I slept out a few times by choice. Two trips on the Frances and never stayed in...
You have a condition common in "Western culture".
It's called, IneedtoknowbecauseIdon'tlikesurprisesandbyplanningevdrysecondofmydayIremaininabsutecontrol.
The cure for which is to leave your device at home (where you won't need a charger), walk every day with a prayer and the mantra, I am open...
I never booked in anywhere. It was fine. Ask yourself a simple question:
Am I walking a pilgrimage or am I on a cheap holiday?
The two are very different. Buen Camino!
Just want to point out that "The rule of thumb" is based on an archaic law that stated, "A man shall use the width of his thumb to dictate the width of the switch he may legally use to beat his wife and children."
It's a pet peave of mine and I'm hoping we can come up with alternatives to said...
Here's my two cents, which byntje way is probably not worrh that much.
Anyway, I survived on the streets as a busker (street musician) for a long time. I was good, very good and I made bank. But it is haaard work people. I learned that there is a skill and an art to it. I had about .5 seconds to...
Silly notion? Downright dangerous! If you're not even willing to carry rain gear and believe a "taxi" will come to your rescue, I'm not sure this pilgrimage or any extended time outdoors is a good idea for you. This would create problems for other people.
I camped on the French route. It's not practical really but it was handy for getting away from crowded hostels. I often took the way less travelled when there was the option. It's not necessarily legal to wild camp in Spain. I often asked in the small towns and villages and never had a problem...
I've ridden the Camino. Never had a problem at an alburgue. I think that's either a myth OR one cyclist encountered a grumpy, frumpy hospitalero. The other thing I want to point out is:
unless you're in a time crunch or have issues with walking, don't cycle it. The reasons:
1. As far as bike...
...and young adults in therapeutic wilderness programming. And I know it is really tough to be a high schooler or freshman college kid. I wouldn't want to do it again. Converesly, we are raising entire generations of entitled pansies. Grow a set, cut the apron strings and GO TO ****** SPAIN!!!!
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