Backpack Etiquette

[Jantina Hanna]

Just don't ever put it / leave it on your bunk. Don't leave your valuables in it when you are showering or out in the evening. And if it is stolen by a teenage member of a minority ethnic group, don't worry - you will get to go to a great spontaneous party and someone will carry your pack for you to the city boundary.

Not sure what you mean by your last sentence Tincatinker??

 

[Tincatinker]

Not sure what you mean by your last sentence Tincatinker??

Neither am I. It may be a reference to an obscure Art-house movie; or an attempt to emphasise the magical-realism of the camino experience. Its possible that I was just riffing off the many back-pack references that cascade across the forum and the fun 'Tom' has with his pack in that obscure Art-house movie I mentioned. Weighs very little and yet, a bit like Mary Poppins' carpet-bag, contains an incredible amount of gear and a kilo or so of human remains; Drops it in a river; has it stolen by the aforementioned and gets it back, and even many months later in an un-named part of Asia its still shiny and new.

Or I might just have been thinking that my first and second sentences were the really important ones and the tail-ender was thrown in for light relief. Before I got into Audit and Moderation I had aspirations at comedy.

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

I bought a 3-way "cube tap" in one of the first Oriental Bazaar / China Bazaar shops I came to. Over time, this has grown in to a collection of "better designs" over the years.

This allows me to share the outlet with up to two others. The added weight is offset by the gratitude you receive. If lost, just buy another at the next Bazaar...there is always one ahead in a large town or city...

I hope this helps.

I have one also. There are very few of us true saints left.

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

'sunny morning disposition" ...Please do your best to contain that at least until after breakfast.

This was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, sarcastic humor. Lighten up folks.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Chairs are for sitting, not storing a backpack.
Put a loop of rope on the pack hoist loop, and you will be able to hang the pack from most bunks.
Half the space below the bunk belongs to each of the top and bottom occupants.
Don't lie directly on the mattress.
Packs can be pretty dirty, which is why you should avoid putting them on beds.
Lights out at 2200 generally.
Almost everyone will be getting up at 6 a.m. in the summer. If you want to sleep in, albergues are not the right place!
Lights will usually be turned on at or before 7 a.m.
Hospitaleros will probably throw you out at 8 a.m., sometimes quite rudely.
Never set your alarm.
Phones on vibrate (no one wants to hear it ring at two in the morning).
Share the hanging space on the ends of the bunks.
Prepack if you plan to leave early. Don't use "crackly" plastic bags.
Bring ear plugs. You cannot control the snoring of others, so plan to accommodate it.
Take showers of modest length. Often hot water heaters are under-capacity units.

And remember to have FUN!

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

The better alberques will have GOLD plated hooks, Mike; those are the ones that also have swimming pools, porters to walk five km out to meet people and carry their bags to the albergue, and bedbugs carrying Waterford crystal taste testing glasses when they make their rounds...!

Is there a list of the better albergues... I'd hate to find myself in a sub standard facility. Mon Dieu!!!

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Nah....la mochila esta cansado.

I always confuse cansado and casado . . .

 

[Mark Lee]

Having left a pair of socks on the washing line and my soap container in the bathroom I can relate to that.
I always check the washing line, the kitchen and under the bed where you or someone else might have inadvertently kicked an item while crawling in and out of bed.

A useful packing strategy is to pack your stuff in 'lots' that make it easier to check. For example, I put all my electronic stuff like spare batteries, chargers etc in one bag. My documents like my diary credencial, tickets were in another bag.

Bob M

The lost or forgotten stuff possibility is why I use the rule of thumb of never bring with you on the Camino anything you aren't afraid to lose (besides credit cards and passport of course). Probably 60% of my equipment is inexpensive and almost disposable in its own way.

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Neither am I. It may be a reference to an obscure Art-house movie; or an attempt to emphasise the magical-realism of the camino experience. Its possible that I was just riffing off the many back-pack references that cascade across the forum and the fun 'Tom' has with his pack in that obscure Art-house movie I mentioned. Weighs very little and yet, a bit like Mary Poppins' carpet-bag, contains an incredible amount of gear and a kilo or so of human remains; Drops it in a river; has it stolen by the aforementioned and gets it back, and even many months later in an un-named part of Asia its still shiny and new.

Or I might just have been thinking that my first and second sentences were the really important ones and the tail-ender was thrown in for light relief. Before I got into Audit and Moderation I had aspirations at comedy.

I actually thought it was pretty good. Your comedy is fine. I thought the same thing after watching The Way after I toured around southern Spain. I'm thinking ""Ah, yeah rightttt."

I actually had a fanny pack along with my camera loaded with pics stolen..and they didn't even have the decency to give me a party or escort.... bummer.

PS I don't know why this forum seems so damned straight laced. I've tried some of my best stuff and it went over like a pregnant pole vaulter. Maybe it's the goatees??

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Step away from the goatee and nobody will get hurt!

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Step away from the goatee and nobody will get hurt!

LOL That is good. Thanks

 

[Icacos]

This was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, sarcastic humor. Lighten up folks.

Darn.....Did someone delete a post ??!!

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Afraid I don't know - it's escaped me all this time. Maybe I am very rude and don't know it. I think people spread out their bedding to 'bagsy' a bunk, that's all. Oh and preferably don't have a liner that makes a massive rustling sound at 5am.

And it seems that the quieter folks try to be the more it bothers me. Sometimes I think if they'd just bang around and get it the hell over with I'd like it better. When they try to tip toe around I'm laying there waiting for the next shoe to drop.

 

[Icacos]

I always confuse cansado and casado . . .

The word for you guys not to confuse with anything is embarazada.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Which earplugs did you have? I'm a light sleeper and haven't found anything fantastic. Tia

I have had really good luck with these from Walgreen's. They are not the cheapy foam, but very dense material. The ones on the right are silicone, but I haven't tried them yet, but read excellent reviews on them.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

The word for you guys not to confuse with anything is embarazada.

Now that WOULD be embarrassing!

 

[Jeff Crawley]

I have had really good luck with these from Walgreen's. They are not the cheapy foam, but very dense material. The ones on the right are silicone, but I haven't tried them yet, but read excellent reviews on them.View attachment 33028

Howard Leights get my vote too - amazing performance.

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Darn.....Did someone delete a post ??!!

I just checked and it's still there.

 

[Icacos]

I just checked and it's still there.

Well.....I'll go back and look for it, yet again ...

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Well.....I'll go back and look for it, yet again ...

Someone wondered if her "Sunny morning disposition would annoy anyone and I replied. "Please no sunny disposition before breakfast." That was my tongue-in-cheek/ semi sarcastic reply.

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Someone wondered if her "Sunny morning disposition would annoy anyone and I replied. "Please no sunny disposition before breakfast." That was my tongue-in-cheek/ semi sarcastic reply.

BTW that will be my LAST attempt at humor. I have learned my lesson and have considered myself rehabilatated. Please don't shun or scorn me.

 

[Saint Mike II]

The better alberques will have GOLD plated hooks, Mike; those are the ones that also have swimming pools, porters to walk five km out to meet people and carry their bags to the albergue, and bedbugs carrying Waterford crystal taste testing glasses when they make their rounds...!

WOW - where is this Albergue? Even the Parador in Leon did not provide those extras. Cheers

 

[Icacos]

Someone wondered if her "Sunny morning disposition would annoy anyone and I replied. "Please no sunny disposition before breakfast." That was my tongue-in-cheek/ semi sarcastic reply.

Yes, I got that - I knew it was tongue-in-cheek. I though someone had objected to your comment.

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Yes, I got that - I knew it was tongue-in-cheek. I though someone had objected to your comment.

Hmmmm dunno....

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

And remember to have FUN!

Yeah but what about all those demerits?

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

The lost or forgotten stuff possibility is why I use the rule of thumb of never bring with you on the Camino anything you aren't afraid to lose (besides credit cards and passport of course). Probably 60% of my equipment is inexpensive and almost disposable in its own way.

That is great advice. One of the reasons I opted for a $59.00 dollar Chinese down bag.

 

[Icacos]

Not sure what you mean by your last sentence Tincatinker??

Neither am I. It may be a reference to an obscure Art-house movie; or an attempt to emphasise the magical-realism of the camino experience. Its possible that I was just riffing off the many back-pack references that cascade across the forum and the fun 'Tom' has with his pack in that obscure Art-house movie I mentioned. Weighs very little and yet, a bit like Mary Poppins' carpet-bag, contains an incredible amount of gear and a kilo or so of human remains; Drops it in a river; has it stolen by the aforementioned and gets it back, and even many months later in an un-named part of Asia its still shiny and new.

Or I might just have been thinking that my first and second sentences were the really important ones and the tail-ender was thrown in for light relief. Before I got into Audit and Moderation I had aspirations at comedy.

Tinker, couldn't you have a heart here? @Jantina Hanna is a new member.

Welcome to the forum @Jantina Hanna. Please know that many of the posts here need to be taken with a grain of salt.

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Tinker, couldn't you have a heart here? @Jantina Hanna is a new member.

Welcome to the forum @Jantina Hanna. Please know that many of the posts here need to be taken with a grain of salt.

Does this mean you lied about the gold plated hooks and swimming pools, wine tasting, etc?? I'm really bumming now.

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Too right Purky .
And never do the same thing whilst carrying your poles on your shoulder !

If carrying your poles strapped to your pack make sure to carry them with points down

 

[BobM]

Darn.....Did someone delete a post ??!!

Maybe it was the weird and slightly racist post that obviously meant something to the poster and his followers, but came across very negatively to folk who don't know those people.

Bob M

 

[Jantina Hanna]

Does this mean you lied about the gold plated hooks and swimming pools, wine tasting, etc?? I'm really bumming now.

Don't worry i am a grown up girl. I'll take a lot of salt.

 

[Kanga]

I always confuse cansado and casado . . .

Understandable. Similar meaning.

 

[brian560]

Exactly. That's what I'm talking about.
Five in the morning. Lights are still out in the sleeping area. People are still trying to sleep.
Not the most logical time and place to inventory a backpack.

I suppose hanging the odd bag rustler would be seem excessive?

 

[Lee Howell]

Details, details. Those valuables we are supposed to bring with us into the showers - are there generally hooks to hang a shower kit or do I have to hold it in my teeth as I bathe?

Somebody else suggested a plastic vacuum suction cup. They are available at hardware stores for about $1 each and hold about 5 pounds. I tried it in my home shower and it held my dry sack. They are very light weight. I plan on bring several with me when I come in May.

 

[Hutton24]

Which earplugs did you have? I'm a light sleeper and haven't found anything fantastic. Tia

Silicone ear plugs work the best for me. Readily available from a pharmacy

 

[Mark Lee]

I suppose hanging the odd bag rustler would be seem excessive?

One morning there was a couple who, in the dark in the albergue sleeping area at about 5:00 am dumped out and repacked their packs, whispering to each other the whole time. They were in the next row of bunks from me. My reaction at first was aggravation, then it turned to laughing and shaking my head. I just couldn't believe they were doing that, and quietly laughed.

 

[Hutton24]

some people are just thoroughly self centred and selfish it seems and they don't even have the forethought of being considerate to other people. Let's all be great humans and be very quiet when we need to organise our packs, preferably in another room or better yet, get them sorted the night before!

 

[notion900]

Let's all be great humans and be very quiet when we need to organise our packs, preferably in another room or better yet, get them sorted the night before!

Can we frame this in big letters and put it on the walls please. Stop the rustling and faffing, and everything else will be forgiven. Even hogging the power sockets.
PS bedbugs hitch a lift in your bedding, sorry if the thought of that creeps you out.

 

[SabsP]

Re........ a very OCD man

I think we can show a little kindness here. I have a lifelong friend whose husband lives with severe OCD. He will tell you himself, it is a living hell.

You are of course referring to my post about the OCD. I do apologise for my choice of words. I should know better ( working myself in mental health ). On the other hand if you know you will be so strict and regulated due to some mental issues then it might be better to choose private accomadation ( as I know many do ). And I must emphasise that this pilgrim was doing this at five in the morning and it took him almost two hours before he got it all arranged. So I feel for the man but again...

 

[grayland]

This thread has taken some very strange twists and turns.
It may be a good idea to move on and close this thread for a while before it gets any further from the original post topic.