- Time of past OR future Camino
- June: Camino Frances from Pamplona
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Hi all! I have three cell phone questions:
Which is the best provider for the CF, Vodafone or Orange?
I have an old Vodafone SIM card from when I did the CF in June 2018, can I still recharge that? If so, will I have to wait until I get to Spain or can I charge it up from here in the US?
My wife is going with me and I want to get her a "burner" or "Flip Phone," which is what we call them here--a non smart phone (a dumb phone? Anyway, not an iPhone or the type with a large screen). How would you say Flip Phone or Burner phone in Spanish?
Thanks for any help.
Warmly,
Barry
Often terms like that in one language, don't really translate to another language, as they are really just slang terms.
Might be easier to just ask for 'Cheap Phone' or 'Disposable Phone' perhaps.
Then the meaning is clearer.
But hopefully a Spanish speaker will have the answer.......
@scruffy1, How right you are! I for one have been caught up in the anxiety and stress induced by too much screen time "news", even some of what is here on the forum. It is clear to me now, I need to walk the Meseta and perhaps a mountain or two.......the Camino is a wonderful refuge from all the so-called news, politics, natural disasters, local embroilments back home, sports, crime, and most other incidents which clutter our lives with undesired and distressfull disturbances.
I agree completely and that is why I think a smartphone is better. It just makes things easier and quicker if you need to use it or in case of an emergency. AN emergency can arise at any time and with a smartphone you can download the AlertCops app and be in contact with someone who speaks English and can help and guide you. It is also great as you said to speak on Viber or Whatsapp with loved ones back home.You may need phones for emergency or family contact, and a smart phone app for bookings, but try not to let them take over. Your pilgrimage is your time away, to let the camino talk to you instead of your phone.
I agree completely with what Albertgirl said and that is why I think a smartphone is better. It just makes things easier and quicker if you need to use it or in case of an emergency. AN emergency can arise at any time and with a smartphone you can download the AlertCops app and be in contact with someone who speaks English and can help and guide you. It is also great as you said to speak on Viber or Whatsapp with loved ones back home. I always use Orange only because their plan for 20 Euros which gives me 80 minutes of calling within Spain and if I remember correctly 10 gigs of Internet works best for me. I rarely prebook as I walk during non peak times and it isn't necessary. This year I will walk in November and December so I will use the phone more just to check if Albergues are open. I like the amount of internet so if the wifi is weak I can call home without a problem. Also if your Spanish is weak it is easier to communicate if you have a translation app or if you are booking in an albergue or hostel you can always use Booking.com. I just think it makes your life easier.Hi all! I have three cell phone questions:
Which is the best provider for the CF, Vodafone or Orange?
I have an old Vodafone SIM card from when I did the CF in June 2018, can I still recharge that? If so, will I have to wait until I get to Spain or can I charge it up from here in the US?
My wife is going with me and I want to get her a "burner" or "Flip Phone," which is what we call them here--a non smart phone (a dumb phone? Anyway, not an iPhone or the type with a large screen). How would you say Flip Phone or Burner phone in spanish?
Thanks for any help.
Warmly,
Barry
No. They die and expire within six months. If you buy a recharge from Vodafone, they will take your money, which promptly disappears. You will not get a credit even if you immediately purchase a new SIM card. You get a lot of phone minutes and data for under 10E these days.I have an old Vodafone SIM card from when I did the CF in June 2018, can I still recharge that?
I agree completely and that is why I think a smartphone is better. It just makes things easier and quicker if you need to use it or in case of an emergency. AN emergency can arise at any time and with a smartphone you can download the AlertCops app and be in contact with someone who speaks English and can help and guide you. It is also great as you said to speak on Viber or Whatsapp with loved ones back home.
I agree completely with what Albertgirl said and that is why I think a smartphone is better. It just makes things easier and quicker if you need to use it or in case of an emergency. AN emergency can arise at any time and with a smartphone you can download the AlertCops app and be in contact with someone who speaks English and can help and guide you. It is also great as you said to speak on Viber or Whatsapp with loved ones back home. I always use Orange only because their plan for 20 Euros which gives me 80 minutes of calling within Spain and if I remember correctly 10 gigs of Internet works best for me. I rarely prebook as I walk during non peak times and it isn't necessary. This year I will walk in November and December so I will use the phone more just to check if Albergues are open. I like the amount of internet so if the wifi is weak I can call home without a problem. Also if your Spanish is weak it is easier to communicate if you have a translation app or if you are booking in an albergue or hostel you can always use Booking.com. I just think it makes your life easier.
No. Some close in mid-October. There are still enough to accommodate the pilgrims who are out there.I thought they all closed mid October.
There is no need to be carrying heavy clothing. See my post on your other thread about September-October. Same applies for November-December with minor adjustments.afraid it might be too cold (as we don't want to carry heavy clothing)
I have to disagree somewhat to what C clearly said. I think it got progressively colder the later into October I got. I stayed in a few albergues that were pretty chilly. In a few cases it was colder inside the albergue then outside. I think Galicia can get quite cold in November and December. I will be walking the CF this year in Nov/Dec and will have a much better. Cold and hot are sort of relative of course. I live in the tropics now and people in winter will have sweatshirts and coats over their sweatshirts and in the morning and it is 70+F (21C) degrees out in the morning. There were definitely albergues that were closing the later into October but there will be albergues open for sure. There will be less and you will have to plan a little more but it is definitely doable. Probably will get alot of rain in Galicia but you can never be sure of the weather.What's the weather like in November and December? We're planning on going in April and are afraid it might be too cold (as we don't want to carry heavy clothing). Are there some albergues open in November and December? I thought they all closed mid October.
Thanks for any info.
Amen. Google translate was invaluable when trying to describe symptoms to medical personnel, on more than one occasion. Not to mention RometoRio. And Jacotrans only communicates by WhatsApp. I've been able to make bookings from the middle of nowhere using the Camino apps on my phone. I'm retired so it's not like I'm getting a lot of work related emails, and I'm not a particularly communicative person in normal life, so a smartphone is no intrusion.I agree completely and that is why I think a smartphone is better. It just makes things easier and quicker if you need to use it or in case of an emergency. AN emergency can arise at any time and with a smartphone you can download the AlertCops app and be in contact with someone who speaks English and can help and guide you. It is also great as you said to speak on Viber or Whatsapp with loved ones back home.
I agree completely with what Albertgirl said and that is why I think a smartphone is better. It just makes things easier and quicker if you need to use it or in case of an emergency. AN emergency can arise at any time and with a smartphone you can download the AlertCops app and be in contact with someone who speaks English and can help and guide you. It is also great as you said to speak on Viber or Whatsapp with loved ones back home. I always use Orange only because their plan for 20 Euros which gives me 80 minutes of calling within Spain and if I remember correctly 10 gigs of Internet works best for me. I rarely prebook as I walk during non peak times and it isn't necessary. This year I will walk in November and December so I will use the phone more just to check if Albergues are open. I like the amount of internet so if the wifi is weak I can call home without a problem. Also if your Spanish is weak it is easier to communicate if you have a translation app or if you are booking in an albergue or hostel you can always use Booking.com. I just think it makes your life easier.
I think it will depend where you buy it. Both Vodaphone and Orange are good. I bought a Sim Card good for 1 month for about 15 Euros in Pamplona and another one in Leon to last for the rest of the trip. If you buy it in France, it’s Vodafone. In Spain, buy either.Hi all! I have three cell phone questions:
Which is the best provider for the CF, Vodafone or Orange?
I have an old Vodafone SIM card from when I did the CF in June 2018, can I still recharge that? If so, will I have to wait until I get to Spain or can I charge it up from here in the US?
My wife is going with me and I want to get her a "burner" or "Flip Phone," which is what we call them here--a non smart phone (a dumb phone? Anyway, not an iPhone or the type with a large screen). How would you say Flip Phone or Burner phone in spanish?
Thanks for any help.
Warmly,
Barry
Totally agree. You could alternately take your smartphone for photos and just get WhatsApp for checking in. There is enough WiFi for any connecting with the world... or notMy opinion on cell phones has been expressed before...several times so I won't repeat. My thoughts here are simple, get the dumbest dumbphone you can find. You will be caught in driving rain(s), you will forget the dad-blamed thing somewhere at least once, you will forget to charge or leave your charger in the last albergue, misplaced, lost, or stolen are all options. Why do you need the last word in modern telecommunications - the Camino is a wonderful refuge from all the so-called news, politics, natural disasters, local embroilments back home, sports, crime, and most other incidents which clutter our lives with undesired and distressfull disturbances. Whatsapp is good enough for 90% of what you may need to broadcast - do people back home really need to know that you have safely arrived in El Burgo Ranero(?) - far too many people think the León is a large city in France anyway. The phone option on Whatsapp sux but will be more than adequate to announce your triumphant entry into SdC!
Totally agree. You could alternately take your smartphone for photos and just get WhatsApp for checking in. There is enough WiFi for any connecting with the world... or not
Totally agree. You could alternately take your smartphone for photos and just get WhatsApp for checking in. There is enough WiFi for any connecting with the world... or not
Why buy a new phone instead of just a SIM card?
It’s all good - just be wary of the free WiFi. We saw plenty of “spoofing” and “sniffing” while it was happening.
Wikipedia describes it here. It "has become the primary social communication network in multiple countries, including Brazil, India, and large parts of Europe."What's WhatsApp?
I didn't know either, but Google is an amazing tool.what is "Sniffing," and "Spoofing?"
Oh yes, what is "Sniffing," and "Spoofing?"
It’s when people can hack into your phone. I can’t explain it but we saw SENT mail we hadn’t sent and Downloads we hadn’t started. Cell service is more secure. There was enough data on my SIM card for me to use my phone’s Hotspot for my husband to use his phone instead of using local WiFi .
I don’t want to suggest that this is anything more than a random issue.
I took my smart phone with all of its apps and unlimited data, although I have 5 email accounts on the phone I only read the ones I was expecting, my other half was at home and would sms me if she sent me something I needed to sort out for the household. Something I could do in 30 seconds but might take her all morning because she does not have the info All other emails were ignored.Amen. Google translate was invaluable when trying to describe symptoms to medical personnel, on more than one occasion. Not to mention RometoRio. And Jacotrans only communicates by WhatsApp. I've been able to make bookings from the middle of nowhere using the Camino apps on my phone. I'm retired so it's not like I'm getting a lot of work related emails, and I'm not a particularly communicative person in normal life, so a smartphone is no intrusion.
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