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  1. P

    Cancelling Camino - Soliciting Advice

    The Camino has been around for over 1200 years. It will be there next year, too! Why go now and risk injury to yourself? Spend this year training for the Camino at home. Then go to Spain next year with complete confidence that you can walk the required mileage, with much less chance of...
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    Shower/bathroom etiquette in the albergues?

    Well said! That's very good advice. -Paul
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    Bourbon and cigars

    The Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits, codified under 27 CFR §5.22(b)(1)(i), states bourbon made for U.S. consumption[22] must be: o Produced in the U.S. and its Territories (Puerto Rico), as well as the District of Columbia[24] o Made from a grain mixture that is at least 51%...
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    Bourbon and cigars

    Seeking the familiar when traveling likely means that you will miss out on the opportunity to discover something that you enjoy even better. Also consider that Bourbon must be imported into Spain and likely subject to import duties passed on the buyer. Why pay more for a limited selection? -Paul
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    Bourbon and cigars

    When in Spain, eat and drink like the locals! When you're in Kentucky, then go for the bourbon and cigars. -Paul
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    Reserving albergue with a credit card

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Payment_Card_Industry_Data_Security_Standard -Paul
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    Reserving albergue with a credit card

    *NEVER* send credit card information by e-mail! I've made reservations by e-mail, but then followed up with voice call with credit card information. I'm always nervous calling various countries in Europe, but the person answering the phone always spoke enough English to confirm reservation and...
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    Do you collect a Compostela?

    I believe in a higher power than the Pilgrim's office whose judgement I care about much more. The higher power can see all the sellos (or missed sellos) in your life! The Pilgrim office is the easiest test. -Paul
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    Locals Only

    In general, Europeans are more formal and less likely to make "small talk" vs. the always chatty, loud and informal Americans. In fact, "small talk" is totally unknown concept in some cultures. It varies from country to country with Germans in the extreme. I've witnessed Germans waiting in a...
  10. P

    Are you a hiker or a walker?

    I like the French word, "randonneur" which literally translates to "random go-er" or "wanderer" which properly translates to "hiker". It seems much better than the alternate French word, "marcheur" which seems too military. -Paul
  11. P

    Menu del dia - options to customize?

    In the US, waiters/waitress are eager for personalized request and serve free refills because they are hoping the service will be recognized by a larger tip. In Spain and the rest of Europe, waiters/waitress are not working for tips, so they are less receptive to customized food orders. Food...
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    Staying motivated between Caminos

    Did you give up when the weather was bad on the Camino? If no, then why give up now? Do what you can even if it means walking around a parking lot plowed of snow. On days of really bad weather walk around inside a mall or maybe the staircase inside a tall building. -Paul
  13. P

    Looking For a 5-7 Day Easy and Relatively Flat Camino

    If you train sufficiently at home, you *will* be ready for the Pyrenes on Day 1. If you need to train more in Spain, then your training at home was not good enough. I suggest erring on over-training at home so that the Camino will be easier than expected. That's much better then...
  14. P

    Looking For a 5-7 Day Easy and Relatively Flat Camino

    The best place to train for the Camino is your own neighborhood! If there are any problems, call a friend to pick you up. If you have a medical problem, see your local doctor. If you need to rest for several days, you can rest a home and try again when better. It's best to train slowly over...
  15. P

    Spanish beaches

    Sorry, that place does not exist! Pickpockets specifically target persons that are too lazy to protect their valuables. -Paul
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    Finding Accommodation Along the Camino: A Top Tip

    The option I chose is to train before the Camino, so that I could follow the Briarly stages. It's sad to see so many people injure themselves, when most problems could be avoided by a little bit of training before the Camino. -Paul
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    Finding Accommodation Along the Camino: A Top Tip

    In my experience, I had no problems finding accommodations on the Briarly stages. I aggressively trained before the Camino and could easily walk the 20-30km Briarly stages, plus a few more "bonus" Kms walking around the town to the church, museums and shopping. Many untrained pilgrims intend...
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    Knocking on doors to find a place to stay

    I don't knock on doors of residents, but I have traveled the Camino and all over Europe with no reservations. When I come into town in the late afternoon, I have a list of recommend places to stay. I stop at my first preference and ask if a room/bed is available. If they are full, I move on...
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    Wise Pilgrim: “recent comments”

    After walking 30Kms, *any* food will simply be the bast that you have ever tasted! Only by training before your Camino will allow you to experience this feeling of delight. If you are in pain, it is hard to appreciate anything on the Camino. -Paul
  20. P

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

    The same goes for me in the US! If a Latin American person starts randomly speaking Spanish to me in a local store, I probably wound not answer and just walk away. If they make and attempt at a few English words, I would be more inclined to help them perhaps with a few words of Spanish. -Paul

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