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  1. John Sikora

    Bar etiquette

    I always do it. Seems like just a nice thing to do. Most of the bars that I went into didn't have a lot of help and I don't mind doing a little bit to help keep them in business. You certainly don't get rich running a bar in the small towns that we walk through. I especially return the dishes if...
  2. John Sikora

    Cafe con leche different this year?

    Another vote for "they just like it stronger in the south". I also found that to be true when I walked the VDLP. Luckily, I like my coffee very strong so I was a happy walker.
  3. John Sikora

    Cafe con leche different this year?

    Another vote for "they just like it stronger in the south". I also found that to be true when I walked the VDLP. Luckily, I like my coffee very strong so I was a happy walker.
  4. John Sikora

    Pilgrimage or vacation?

    Oneof the definitions of a pilgrimage is a "journey to a sacred place". That could also be a vacation. They are not necessarily different and for some inseperable.
  5. John Sikora

    Did it make a difference

    First of all, I am an agnostic and a true cynic. That said, the Camino did make a fundamental change in both my life and the way that I look at things. I've lost about 40 pounds by walking Caminos. I've also taken a much better attitude towards adversity (basically to take it as it comes and...
  6. John Sikora

    Cancelling Camino - Soliciting Advice

    Not sure I would cancel. First of all, the 1200 ft in elevation change is worth some k. If the change in altitude as a percent of walk is high that probably did you in. The CP along the coast doesn't have anything near a 1200 ft up, so I wouldn't worry about that. The simplest solution would...
  7. John Sikora

    Water, water...

    I'm like the others. Unfortunately, I sweat quite a bit and am diabetic so I don't want to get dehydrated. I carry two liters of water (one with just water and the other with an eletrolyte solution). it's 4 lbs but worth it. That said, I've never run out. Come close on the southern VDLP but on...
  8. John Sikora

    What's a Slow Walker?

    I think there are at least three dimensions to the "slow walker". 1) You tend to walk about 4K an hour or so 2) You tend to not walk more than about 20K a day 3) You tend to limit the total elevations for the day to 600M or so (this one is the toughtest) :) You can chose whether you want to be...
  9. John Sikora

    Electrolytes

    Like others on this thread, over five Caminios, I've used Nuun tablets. I walk with one bottle of water and one bottle of Nuun electrolytes. I sweat a lot so I have to drink a lot. That said, I'm also addicted to Aquarius. Best invention ever. I also take a few magnesium tablets for the just in...
  10. John Sikora

    The ticking clock

    I think it is volunteer.gov
  11. John Sikora

    The Second Camino - how much did it differ from the first (mentally)?

    I found that after my first, all others were more comfortable and perhaps a little less unique. What else was interesting was that on my fourth Camino, I walked some of the same stages again and I found that many of the hills that I thought were so exhausting at the time became quite tame. It's...
  12. John Sikora

    Cats on the Camino

    There are many cats and you want to pet all of them. BUT, many are feral and I wouldn't want to get scratched by their claws.
  13. John Sikora

    How far do most typically walk before resting?

    Normally, about every hour or so. If it's all uphill, maybe every 3 minutes. I tend to stop for a water break every 5K-8K and maybe a snack every other break along with taking off my shoes and just letting my feet cool and air out a bit.
  14. John Sikora

    If at first you don't succeed, try-try again and again, and again....

    Thanks for inspiring me again at the young age of 74. Just finished the last part of the Sanabres, Ingles, and Muxia routes. You have me thinking about taking on the Norte.
  15. John Sikora

    Should we give recommendations on the forum?

    I would also agree with others on this forum that recommendations are helpful. As an avid traveler and walker who has been to more than 60 countries, I really find recommendations useful. That said, you always have to take into account how old the recommendation is as well as any details that...
  16. John Sikora

    US ATM cards not working

    I'd take the simple solution. When you withdraw funds, you are going through a series of servers and routers that probably number in the tens as well as many network connections. If ANY of those fail, you don't get through and don't get money. Add to this the normal business cycle where some...
  17. John Sikora

    Strangest food & drink on the Camino

    I don't remember where it was (probably blocked it out of my memory), but I ordered what was listed as a local food delicacy. There were three courses. The soup was a typical vegetable soup. The main course was composed of the parts of cows and sheep that were all gristle, bone, fat, and meat by...
  18. John Sikora

    Unusual places to collect sellos/stamps

    One of my big regrets while on a Camino was not stopping at a vending machine that had a stamp tied to its handle. I'll never know what the stamp was. :)
  19. John Sikora

    The Laundromat is my friend

    Laundromats are God's gift :)
  20. John Sikora

    So why am I addicted to the Camino?

    Because.. The beer never tastes better than after a 30k day. The bed is never softer than on a rest day The friends are never more friendly than when they are as sore as you are The rain --- well nothing good here but it seems easier to take The routine - sleep, eat, walk, cafe, walk, eat...

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