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  1. BoldenMD

    Botafumeiro again

    A group of us were told the cost is 250 euros. We were prepared to divvy up the cost and pay for it but were fortunate that it swing several times while we were in town. http://mbolden.tumblr.com/post/32772301248/in-action-the-botafumeiro-is-amazing-from-below
  2. BoldenMD

    Hotel in Leon

    I actually vote for Hostal San Marcos, the Parador. I was surprised at the cost, which was way less a night than what a medium-tier business hotel would cost in a major American city.The bar was also competitive. A group of us had assumed the prices would be ridiculous, and they were not. I used...
  3. BoldenMD

    Favorite private accommodation between Sarria and Santiago

    I stayed in a private room at the albergue in Mercadoiro. I loved the setting. I was traveling off the Brierley stages at that point. Mercadoiro was my first stop after Samos. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151099162853045.437745.693573044&type=1&l=ba1eb8aeb0
  4. BoldenMD

    To camera or not to camera

    I had both my iPhone 4S and a Panasonic Lumix TS-20 with a Leica lens and GPS capabilities. I carried the compact camera in a pouch on my waist. The phone fit perfectly in a pocket halfway down my right leg and was easier to access. There were times when I did quick snaps with the phone. Other...
  5. BoldenMD

    Hotel rooms rather than hostels?

    I definitely didn't miss out on any experiences. I shared meals with my fellow pilgrims almost every night, commiserated over wash basins while doing laundry, listened to multiple snoring competitions, etc., etc. Thankfully, I missed out on people copulating. Another option that I shared a...
  6. BoldenMD

    harder route from St Jean Pied de Pont to Roncesvalle?

    I definitely found the gradient to be a problem. Your reaction is reminiscent of what happened when I got to Orisson. I met this 78-year-old from the Netherlands. His first words to me were: "What took you so long?"
  7. BoldenMD

    Albergos! Questions!

    I stayed at Errecaldia before my Camino, and it was a wonderful experience. It's at the very top of the hill, so you pass through both gates as you head out your first day. The hosts were absolutely wonderful, and the accommodations were great.
  8. BoldenMD

    Hotel rooms rather than hostels?

    One of my biggest issues with the albergues was the lights-out policies. I understand why they exist, but I've never been able to follow such a schedule. I generally only need five to six hours of sleep a night (even after walking 30 or 40K), so staying anywhere where I felt pressure to be in...
  9. BoldenMD

    pretty sure i am leaving the camino after tomorrow

    Yes.
  10. BoldenMD

    What is the one albergue you would avoid?

    I absolutely hated the municipal in Hontanas. I was in a top bunk, which had no railings of any sort (the ladder didn't either), and I actually hurt my elbow trying to get down in the middle of the night (and also ended up half-falling and accidentally turning on the light in my dorm on my way...
  11. BoldenMD

    iPad2 on the Camino (Frances)

    I had both my new iPad and an unlocked iPhone 4S with me. I used the iPad to store images and also for watching an occasional movie when I was feeling really homesick. I also blogged from it, but I also did that from the iPhone, which had a UK sim card in it and reasonable data prices. If I did...
  12. BoldenMD

    harder route from St Jean Pied de Pont to Roncesvalle?

    I did this portion on Aug. 26-27. I took the Route Napoleon and then went through the woods to Roncesvalles (somehow I missed the easier route, although I am not sure I would have taken it). They were both harder than I imagined or suspected, despite having read the descriptions. I did stop at...
  13. BoldenMD

    46 days to walk!! where do you suggest she starts?

    I believe it's worth two or three days in Santiago. I actually spent about four and even in my last hour there I ran into someone who I had met on the Camino and had never expected to see in Spain again. (They walked onto the Praza do Obradoiro just as I stepped out of the cathedral for the last...
  14. BoldenMD

    Initial Planning Stages for my Camino

    I couldn't imagine doing it in 18 days. I took about 34, including an extra day each in Pamplona, Burgos and León. I wish I could have spent another day of reflection in Rabanal del Camino and Najera. I also felt I would have liked to have seen more in Santa Domingo de la Calazada. I also took...
  15. BoldenMD

    Booking accomodation or do you just walk in

    I did more booking toward the latter half of my Camino in September, especially if I wanted a private room. I tended to do that in places where I really wanted to stay in certain hotels (such as the Paradores in León, Villafranca del Bierzo and Santiago de Compostela) or if I had a really long...
  16. BoldenMD

    What is the one Albergue that you would say not to miss

    I enjoyed the parochial albergue in Estella as well. The hospitalero greeted everyone with a cold class of water and was just wonderful. The facility lacks some of the amenities of the others, but I liked the small size (it wasn't full either when I stayed there in September). I met some...
  17. BoldenMD

    List your pilgrim blog URL Here - we want to read your story

    Thanks. Now that I'm back the Camino continues. I'm still trying to assess my feelings and process what happened.
  18. BoldenMD

    Hotel rooms rather than hostels?

    I just returned from doing the Camino and I did hotel rooms about half the time, especially in cities like León where I wanted to experience the Paradores hotels. Keep in mind that many of the private albergues will also offer private rooms. I chose that option several times.
  19. BoldenMD

    List your pilgrim blog URL Here - we want to read your story

    http://BoldensWay.com
  20. BoldenMD

    Water Bottle or Camelback/Playtpus?

    I have a 3-liter Osprey, which I've been using on my training walks. I get to find out tomorrow how well it works on the Camino. But there have been times at the trail end of training days where having that tubed pressed beween my lips kept me going. Of course, I can vary how much I fill it...

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