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Redundancy and back up many pilgrims neglect.
When I was much younger (1982) I was travelling in Europe for several months. I was keeping my passport in my money belt, but I also kept a separate photocopy of my passport and other documents separately in my day pack in case my passport was stolen and I had to apply for a new one overseas.On all three of my Caminos, I traveled with hidden money belt.
Took about 2,000 Euros Cash and both a credit card and a debit card.
Kept day's cash in my vest. So would not have to take off money belt frequently
Since I kept my passport in my Back pack with my Pigrim Credential Booklet.- I had both a photo copy of it and an expired
driver's liscense in the money belt - just in case the pack got lost or stolen.
Also the busines cards of my local banker - lawyer -Triple AAA lady who plannned the trip and
a medical summmary sheet from my Primary Care Physician.
Also extra copy of my flight itineraries.
Redundancy and back up many pilgrims neglect.
Do not carry a smart phone either on off the Camino - so must have paper douments.I did change my iPhone lock screen as suggested by @trecile. I used a red background with yellow text ... it provides enough light at night to see in the albergue without affecting my night vision.
Ha ha, had to think twice about keeping stuff in vest. Here a vest is the garment worn directly next to the skin. Of course you from across the pond use the word to mean what we call waistcoats or sometimes Hikers use the French word gilets.Do not carry a smart phone either on off the Camino - so must have paper douments.
Just the guide book and one writing journal and and old fashion pen - imagine that!
Kept the one map page I needed for that day in a ziplock in vest pocket for easy access - rest of Brieley book in deep down in the pack somewhen. Hate coins jiggling in pants pock- so keep them in vest.
Kept folding Buck Knife in the waist buckle of my Osprey pack./Did not take a sleeping bag.
Always kept Frogg Toggs ultra light rain jacket at top of pack.
Never said most pilgrims do not do this kind of document preparation ----SabinP----- but "many" do not go into the detailed prep I have tried to convey in the spirit of helpfullness.
I met some younger pilgrims who seemed absolutely cluless about travel preparation.
I took an Ipad ---but it did not work where there was no Wifi.
My Dad was a city kid from Brooklyn New York and always caried lots of Cash - so I guess I followed suit.
Always carried between one and two thousand Euros in big bills -
Do not carry a smart phone either on off the Camino - so must have paper douments.
Just the guide book and one writing journal and and old fashion pen - imagine that!
Kept the one map page I needed for that day in a ziplock in vest pocket for easy access - rest of Brieley book in deep down in the pack somewhen. Hate coins jiggling in pants pock- so keep them in vest.
Kept folding Buck Knife in the waist buckle of my Osprey pack./Did not take a sleeping bag.
Always kept Frogg Toggs ultra light rain jacket at top of pack.
Never said most pilgrims do not do this kind of document preparation ----SabinP----- but "many" do not go into the detailed prep I have tried to convey in the spirit of helpfullness.
I met some younger pilgrims who seemed absolutely cluless about travel preparation.
I took an Ipad ---but it did not work where there was no Wifi.
My Dad was a city kid from Brooklyn New York and always caried lots of Cash - so I guess I followed suit.
Always carried between one and two thousand Euros in big bills -
At least you don’t call a bumbag a fanny pack.Ha ha, had to think twice about keeping stuff in vest. Here a vest is the garment worn directly next to the skin. Of course you from across the pond use the word to mean what we call waistcoats or sometimes Hikers use the French word gilets.
Least said about bumbags, the better it will be.
Language can be fun.
Do not carry a smart phone either on off the Camino - so must have paper douments.
Just the guide book and one writing journal and and old fashion pen - imagine that!
Surely you can have copies of these documents on your iPad rather than needing to have paper documents?I took an Ipad ---but it did not work where there was no Wifi.
This is the way to go IMO and even if you loose the USB stick you only need access to your email. I also carry a credit card sized ICE card in my wallet that has all my medical info plus copies of passport, driving licence etc.Everything’s scanned and emailed to me, also saved on a tiny USB memory stick which is on a light chain around my neck.
Oh, thanks for this. I need to look that up.This is the way to go IMO and even if you loose the USB stick you only need access to your email. I also carry a credit card sized ICE card in my wallet that has all my medical info plus copies of passport, driving licence etc.
Because, heaven forbid, if you are involved in a traumatic accident the area of the tattoo may become unreadable.I haven’t really read everything properly, but maybe a tattoo?
Point was that the ipad mini and the official passport and pilgrim credentials are all in the Backpack.Surely you can have copies of these documents on your iPad rather than needing to have paper documents?
If you're in the woods you're certainly not going to need your passport information.What do you do when the ipad losses its charge and you are in the woods
Not if you put your passport in your money belt and also have a memory stick with the information in case something happens —Point was that the ipad mini and the official passport and pilgrim credentials are all in the Backpack.
Which could be lost or stolen. Then everything is gone.
saved on a tiny USB memory stick which is on a light chain around my neck.
This is the way to go IMO and even if you loose the USB stick you only need access to your email. I also carry a credit card sized ICE card in my wallet that has all my medical info plus copies of passport, driving licence etc.
That is why I added the IMO in my post VN, it is only my opinion.Everyone has their own system for managing passport copies and information. There have been lots of good alternatives offered in the replies here, so folks who haven't figured out their own system can cherry pick create a strategy that suits them best.
One size does not fit all.
I say fanny pack or hip sack! I keep all valuables and cash in it. It never comes off my person all day long, comes in the shower with me end of day, and goes in the bottom of my sleeping bag at night. My phone holds the info as well.At least you don’t call a bumbag a fanny pack.
I say fanny pack or hip sack!
Setting aside the bleak history of people in Europe having tattoos for identification purposes of course.I haven’t really read everything properly, but maybe a tattoo?
I'll stay neutral (like Switzerland) - lumbar packs in my house.I say waist bag/pack - not only is it a more accurate description of how it's worn, it's not likely to offend anyone!
fanny
1. a woman's sexual organs 2. a person's bottom 3. a woman's sexual organsdictionary.cambridge.org
I keep my folded copy of printed backups in a ziplock sandwich bag, carried by my walking partner, whoever he or she may be.As far as photocopies go, they are not for me, I learned the hard way in 2012 when after a day of torrential rain, and even with a pack cover, everything in the pack was soaked, all the paper docs turned to mush and had to be thrown out,
I totally agree - I am a digital "bonehead" The digital stuff you and other pilgrims use - is probably the best-There have been lots of good alternatives offered in the replies here, so folks who haven't figured out their own system can cherry pick create a strategy that suits them best.
One size does not fit all.
I have an attractive wood abacus, but it serves nothing more than a curious piece of decoration and ocassional conversation piece to a visitor.I was born in the wrong century - anyone want to sell me an abacus?
They are universally marketed using the offensive version - even on Amazon.I'll stay neutral (like Switzerland) - lumbar packs in my house.
As a digression a lot of people in the UK think that the expression "sweet Fanny Adams" or "sweet FA" is a euphemism for something offensive. In fact it goes back to Victorian times when a young girl called Fanny Adams was murdered over a public holiday weekend (Bank Holiday over here).
The murdered was caught and executed but it came at a time when the Royal Navy was introducing rations of canned meat to the crews. As it the way it tended to be cheaper cuts and quite gristly. When asked what the tins contained the response was often "Sweet Fanny Adams".
So true, Terry, but being on this forum for 4+ years, I have noticed and learned different words that mean the same things on both sides of the Atlantic.Of couse we Americans--- have no idea of what a "Flat" is - or what you do in the "loo"
or how to "queue up" in line in a proper fashion.
Never used a money belt. Fat rubber band securing documents, makes it difficult to slide out of pocket. Small safety pins securing pocket.On all three of my Caminos, I traveled with hidden money belt.
Took about 2,000 Euros Cash and both a credit card and a debit card.
Kept day's cash in my vest. So would not have to take off money belt frequently
Since I kept my passport in my Back pack with my Pigrim Credential Booklet.- I had both a photo copy of it and an expired
driver's liscense in the money belt - just in case the pack got lost or stolen.
Also the busines cards of my local banker - lawyer -Triple AAA lady who plannned the trip and
a medical summmary sheet from my Primary Care Physician.
Also extra copy of my flight itineraries.
Redundancy and back up many pilgrims neglect.
My husband and I carry a fair amount of cash with us as I don't like to use an ATM too often because of the transaction fees. As I said before, I sew security pockets in all our hiking pants. In addition, we both wear ankle wallets that can only be removed if our boots are removed. Also, he wears "pickpocket proof" pants. At least that is how they are advertised on the website.I think most of the suggestions are sound ones except for carrying a lot of cash. I once crossed the U.S.‘Mexico border at Tijuana with three Navy Recruiters riding in a car with American plates...a sure tip off for the cops to stop us...our back up plan was to stuff our cash into our underwear as fast as possible. It was no drill...I could not believe how fast I could transfer my cash when the cops stopped us for a bribe. So you see, back up plans are necessary. As a parting thought, my buddy’s best advice was...”keep your wits about you”...and that has always served me well no matter how well I’d prepare for any trip. Buen Camino
Quite possibly he may not feel anything, a skilled pick-pocket will make their own opening often with a super sharp knife or razor.My husband and I carry a fair amount of cash with us as I don't like to use an ATM too often because of the transaction fees. As I said before, I sew security pockets in all our hiking pants. In addition, we both wear ankle wallets that can only be removed if our boots are removed. Also, he wears "pickpocket proof" pants. At least that is how they are advertised on the website.There is a zippered pocket inside a pocket that is closed with a button, they have served us well so far. He also does not wear tee shirts, only button down shirts that have a zippered pocket behind the chest pocket. A bit of overkill as sometimes it is hard to remember what is in each secret place. I just took those pants out of the clothes dryer, the outside pocket is also zippered before the tab is buttoned down. I would think that he would notice someone "fishing" into the inside pocket.
Which is why we distribute our valuables among secret areas and put a few euros in a side pocket, but if someone could find that inner pocket with a razor or knife I think we would be looking for an emergency room.Quite possibly he may not feel anything, a skilled pick-pocket will make their own opening often with a super sharp knife or razor.
Many years ago while traveling through Thailand with my wife we caught a crowded bus out to a local market. My wife was clutching her (thick) leather handbag tightly across her very large, pregnant belly.
During the trip I spotted a guy carrying a rolled up newspaper trying to get between us while we stood shoulder to shoulder in the crowd. I moved to block him and he moved away. I thought that I had prevented a theft.
A little later when we got off the bus at the market we sat down to give Lynn a rest and to get a drink. Lynn opened her handbag and found her purse missing (only small change) and a cut up the side of her handbag between where she held it and her stomach. She had not felt anything.
We marveled at the skill of the guy and gave thanks that his hand hadn't been jolted on the bumpy road as our son was inside.
My experiences in Spain have been a bit different from your experience in Tijuana. Different places, different customs. That said, there is always some risk in carrying large quantities of cash. However, I never had a problem in carrying enough cash to get me to the ATM after the next one (in case the next one was down).I think most of the suggestions are sound ones except for carrying a lot of cash. I once crossed the U.S.‘Mexico border at Tijuana with three Navy Recruiters riding in a car with American plates...a sure tip off for the cops to stop us...our back up plan was to stuff our cash into our underwear as fast as possible. It was no drill...I could not believe how fast I could transfer my cash when the cops stopped us for a bribe. So you see, back up plans are necessary. As a parting thought, my buddy’s best advice was...”keep your wits about you”...and that has always served me well no matter how well I’d prepare for any trip. Buen Camino
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