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When I struck out on my Camino (22 April - 2 June 2009) I was struck by the differences between how people apporached this experience. Many people were outfitted as if they were going on a mountain trek while others appeared to approach this experience as if they were merely taking a lovely...
I am a retired US Air Force member. I had planned to wear my comfortable combat boots which have served me well, nevcer giving me any pain. I ended up going with a much lighter pair of Salamans (sp?). To each his own though. I saw one man wearing crocs for the entire trip from Roncesvalles...
Try: http://www.Wintersilks.com
I always pack silk thermals and undergar,ments when I travel. They are sturdy (like good porcelaine, they appear delicate and lovely, but are very strong actually - the tensile strength is amazing). They are extremely light weight so do not add bulk and they...
Heather - the key word is neccessary items. That is all you need room for. Your pack is small, but at almost 3 pounds, it is quite heavy. In the photo I see that it has many long strings and plastic devises, etc. At the end of a day of walking you learn to respect your knees and feet...those...
I took pictures of many of the abandoned boots I found along the Camino when I walked the French route from Roncesvalles to Santiago in Spring 2009. I have about 40 photos of perfectly serviceable, leather boots left behind by pilgrims who decided their heavy hiking boots were not the best...
Books - I usally have 3 (or more) going at once. But for the Camino, I wanted to be unencumbered and I also felt it was importnt to be engaged in the entire experience - no diversions. I went without even a guide book, no phone, basically only two changes of clothes, several bandanads (double...
I did not check my pack - I stowed it in the overhead compartment. I did not take walking sticks. My plan was to purchase a one in Spain. (I ended up using a lovely tree branch someone gifted me with and left it behind when I made my return trip to the USA.)
For me, part of the pilgrimage...
My Camino experience reminded me that we are never alone in this world. We are always part of a grand stream of humanity and we can support one another in so many ways.
We can walk the Camino with joy and with a light pack. There will be times when, no matter how well you pack, you will...
I counted about 40 pairs of hiking bookt abandoned along the roadside between Roncevalles and Santiago de Compostela during my 40 days on the Camino (April-June 2009). There's a couple snaps of abandoned boots on my blog. A couple hikers I walked with sent theirs home.
One guy I kept...
I decided to just cut the cord for the duration of my adventure...I was travelling light and decided to just NOT deal with technology - I took no watch or phone...I did talke a bettery operated camera...but no other technology. Just took notes with a pen and tried to stay in the moment.
It...
OK, my sweet spouse ordered the Altus poncho for me - he went online Saturday (or was it Sunday?) and it arrived here in sunny Santa Fe on Wednesday morning. Qucil service! And they included a sucker! 8-) Yep, a sweet lollipop!
I think I will looooove my poncho.
My spouse got me a size...
The Lonely Planet folks say there are a couple outdoor stores in Pamplona.Decathalon, in the outskirts, is a sports superstore open from 10-10. Take a taxi. In the historic district, look for Basati Kirolak (Plaza de Recoletos 5).
I am debating whether to splurge on the Altus poncho - I am...
I was in the US Air Force for many years and for several years, I was a recruiter. I have expwerience watching people head off to boot camp - it's about six plus weeks of physical and psycholgical demands.
When I went off to boot camp, I was a bit older than most recruits. I was a housewife...
The hair question...here's my opinion.
I made it through Air Force basic training and Peace Corps and travels in Africa with waist length hair.
To me, long hair is easier to manage. I can ponytail it, twist it up and hold it with a stick or a pencil, braid it, etc. No crazy "bedhead" to...
Oh yes - Castile soap! We used that when we were kids so when I discovered it in Spain years later, the scent was like going home again for me. That's probably what I will pack. Thanks for the memories Rebekah!
"Ginn"
Perusing the Formum on a Fine Saturday in Santa Fe...
I sing the praises of silk thermals.
Though I have not yet walked the Camino (next year!), I lived in Spain for ten years and camped in the area arund Leon and Santiago ge Compostela and Pamplona....
I recently spent a few years in Ukraine (Peace Corps). My silks went on in September and...
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