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  1. WisTom

    Gronze Maps app in the Apple Store

    Just finished stage 26 of the Camino de Levante in Toro today (ending tomorrow in Zamora and connecting to the VdlP). I could not have done it without the Gronze Maps app. I can't tell you the number of unmarked crossroads and forks in the road that I've encountered along the way, not to...
  2. WisTom

    Pilgrims menu/menu del dia

    It's good that there are now vegetarian/vegan options on the Sarria-Santiago segment of the Francés. In small towns on the other caminos, if you say you're vegetarian, you're likely to get the same response as in Latin America - "Then just have the chicken."
  3. WisTom

    Listening to music while on the camino

    When I walk at home over terrain that I walk regularly, I often listen to podcasts. When I'm walking a camino over territory that I've never walked before and am unlikely to ever walk again, my only music is earworms mixed with my thoughts - no matter what the days stage looks like. One of the...
  4. WisTom

    Locals Only

    If you want more friendly contact with locals, I would suggest the "caminos menos transitados". There are still routes where pilgrims are more of a novelty and people are quite happy to chat (in Spanish).
  5. WisTom

    Celebrating my old age

    At 71, I walked the Via Francigena from Turin to Rome in February when many alberghi were closed - longest stage 46 km. This past March at 72, I walked the Mozarabe, San Salvador, and Primitivo. Several stages over 40km and many 30-35. This coming February at 73, my plan is to walk the...
  6. WisTom

    Solo walkers - what kinds of food do you buy at grocery stores?

    I've walked the "less walked" caminos (VdlP, Mozárabe, San Salvador, Primitivo, and the Via Francigena) in Feb/Mar. Often long stages w no services. Rather than bread, which is bulky and crumbly, my go-to pack food is tortillas mexicanas - which can be found almost everywhere these days - and...
  7. WisTom

    Do I need to learn some Spanish before my camino? Yeah, you probably should...

    Probably erroring on the high side. The chat was with a bar owner in Hinojosa del Duque, between Córdoba and Mérida. I saw almost no one on my walk, but thought that the lack of other pilgrim's could have been due to walking in mid-March.
  8. WisTom

    Do I need to learn some Spanish before my camino? Yeah, you probably should...

    I am in full agreement with Bradypus. It's hard to imagine not finding access to English on the Camino Francés. However, while walking the Mozárabe this past March, a bar owner with whom I was chatting said that he understood that 700-1000 pilgrims passed through his town each YEAR, a large...
  9. WisTom

    US ATM cards not working

    Just bought bus and train tickets in the last few days after finishing my caminos. No problems using a credit card. I would remind all those over 60 to take advantage of Renfe's Tarjeta Dorada, which costs 6 euros and provides large discounts. My rail ticket from Santiago to Madrid dropped...
  10. WisTom

    US ATM cards not working

    In Spain since March 7. Walked Caminos Mozárabe, San Salvador, and Primitivo with no ATM issues other than that more Spanish banks are charging higher ATM fees - as much as 7 euros. I now take out 200-250 euros at a time as a result. Should also note that post-pandemia there is MUCH higher...
  11. WisTom

    Primitivo - Conditions report?

    Hoka Mafate 3 trail runners. Hoka came out with version 4 - change for the worse. Bought two more pairs of Mafate 3 at a discount. Using current pair for Mozarabe (finished Mar 25), San Salvador (current), and Primitivo (starting on Monday). I'll know more about the Primitivo next week.
  12. WisTom

    Primitivo - Conditions report?

    I'm on the San Salvador. Passed some snow in the high areas near 1500m on my way to Pajares. Due snow melt, there were some areas of water cascading on the trail or crossing it. In general, not bad at all. I'm wearing trail shoes. Only time they got wet was when I sunk into mud covered by...
  13. WisTom

    SIM card is acting up

    For what it's worth, I've used Movistar when in Spain. I've had minimal issues and solid coverage both on the Camino Frances and Via de la Plata/Sanabres. Had data as well as the ability to make calls.
  14. WisTom

    That silly 10% rule

    I did the Camino Francés starting in March of 2017. Due to cold mornings (and, I'll admit, a few unnecessary items), I carried about 11kg. As a 66 year old man weighing 73 kg during my walk, I had no problems with the weight. Several days were over 40 km and many days were more than 30 km...

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