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  1. hieudovan

    Chinese shops???

    I did not know that they have walking sticks. I assume that these are the retractable kind and not the wooden cane type? How much did you pay for a pair? Thanks for the info.
  2. hieudovan

    Footwear mozarabe/vdlp February

    This is good news for me. I am going to walk from Almería the first week of Feb, 2024. I was worried about walking in the riverbeds which might get muddy or have water. I prefer almost anything to walking in the mud or water in the river. Buen camino.
  3. hieudovan

    SIM card for Europe

    Airalo does not provide a phone number. It's data only. If one only uses data, Airalo is highly rated.
  4. hieudovan

    eSim for Spain

    Thank you. I was going to get an Airalo eSim due to the reviews. I have also watched the YouTube videos for buying etc... I did not think about having to contact albergues/police (if needed). I've walked other Caminos where I just stop at an albergue at the end of the day. No phone calls...
  5. hieudovan

    eSim for Spain

    Thank you EICee. I will get the Airalo eSim in the U.S. a couple of days before departure and activate it upon landing in Granada, Spain. I hope things will go well. If not, I am hoping that someone will be able to help me with the process. Also thanks for the heads up on banking. I will use my...
  6. hieudovan

    eSim for Spain

    Thank you all for your prompt responses. My iPhone 14 only uses eSim. No physical tray for a sim card. Looks like I can go ahead and buy an eSim from Airalo to use in Spain for 28 days. I'm glad that I can use my current WhatsApp contacts with the new eSim. I will only use the eSim for wifi and...
  7. hieudovan

    eSim for Spain

    I am from the U.S. and will be in Spain for 30 days in early 2024 to walk Camino Morazábe . After some research, it seems like an eSim from Airalo is a good choice for my iPhone 14. I have some novice questions I hope you don't mind my asking. Should I get the eSim before leaving for Spain or...
  8. hieudovan

    Another article on why, and how to use trekking poles

    Thank you. Nice, short and to the point. Highly recommended to new users and "old" users who have not looked up information on how to use hiking poles.
  9. hieudovan

    Socks & "sock liners"

    Summary from Author - Thank you all for your responses and inputs. I am rethinking my sock set up even though it had worked in the past regarding blisters. I still like to keep my feet soft and supple. Instead of Vaseline, I am thinking of using a small amount of Nivea, Men, Breathable Body...
  10. hieudovan

    Socks & "sock liners"

    I rub/massage VERY LITTLE Vaseline, mainly around the toes and the ball of the foot. I like soft and supple skin. I believe my dry and hard skin resulted in blister-like issues when I was training for my first Camino. As I use very little Vaseline, I've not had problems with sock washing. I...
  11. hieudovan

    Socks & "sock liners"

    Thank you for all your responses. I'm interested in having raw wool between my toes when they get "hot." Where do I get/buy raw wool? Thanks again for all the information.
  12. hieudovan

    Socks & "sock liners"

    I have learned much from this forum, starting with my first Camino over a decade ago. A major concern of mine is blisters. So far by incorporating the many ideas on this forum, I have been blister free for all of my Caminos. In my last Camino, I used the following socks set up...
  13. hieudovan

    Hiking Poles - leaving them behind...

    I used to do this also. However, with the no frill tickets I've been buying, it's cheaper to buy inexpensive poles and carry on my backpack than to pay to check it in. Additionally, once my checked in backpack was lost. My Camino was delayed. From then on, I've been buying cheap tickets and take...
  14. hieudovan

    Hiking Poles - leaving them behind...

    I am glad that they let you carry on your hiking poles. Mine are foldable also. I used to be able to put them inside my backpack as carry-on. A few years ago I had to put them in the "trash bin" at security. The issue was not airline specific nor size. The poles were collapsed and inside my...
  15. hieudovan

    Hiking Poles - leaving them behind...

    I have used hiking poles on all of my Caminos (CF twice, VdLP, Portuguese and Rota Vincentina). I am now 75 and plan to walk the Le Puy this fall. The hiking poles are incredibly helpful if used correctly. Unfortunately many pilgrims and hikers do not know the correct techniques. I strongly...
  16. hieudovan

    Trekking poles, and testing foot wear

    Actually you should not be gripping the poles. Look up on YouTube on how to use hiking poles. It's actually the straps that should be doing the work/gripping. I love hiking poles. Not just for the safety factors, but also exercising my arms and lessening the work that my legs/ankles have to do.
  17. hieudovan

    In the USA? A Favor. Sorry to ask.... (re gadget to clip phone to walking stick)

    Very helpful. Sure is much easier than having an individual mailing it at the P.O.
  18. hieudovan

    New backpack strange.

    I'm not interested in getting one. I definitely can't run. At 73 and having injured my Achilles tendon in tennis, I'd be happy just to be able to walk the Le Puy Camino next year. Out of curiosity I looked up the backpack on their website. The price is US$479 for a 30L pack. I can't find the...
  19. hieudovan

    Mens or Unisex Sarong for walking in August

    I love wearing sarongs. When I was in the Peace Corps in Malaysia, I lived in a kampong (village) and wore it whenever I was home. It's known by different names by different ethnic groups. It's so comfortable and simple to wear (no belts nor buttons) and very secure. In fact, many laborers wear...
  20. hieudovan

    Carry-on Size Backpack

    This is to have a "conclusion" to my initial query. Again, thanks to all who had responded. The final solution worked. I put my old Osprey 46 L backpack inside a "foldable carry-on bag" and did not have any problem with the issue of carry-on at LAX or Madrid. BTW, despite having to carry the...

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