Charging mp3 players on camino

[RICKFIELD]

Hello

We are planning to start the camino at the end of May accompanied by 2 teenaged children.
Will there be facilities at the refugios for them to re-charge their mp3 players ? They need to re-charge by being plugged into a computer !

Thanks,
Rick from Palmerston North, New Zealand

 

[jeff001]

This might be a good opportunity to teach the youngsters that they can get along without the MP-3. Facilities to recharge will not be common in the refugios.

 

[ivar]

Hello

We are planning to start the camino at the end of May accompanied by 2 teenaged children.
Will there be facilities at the refugios for them to re-charge their mp3 players ? They need to re-charge by being plugged into a computer !

Thanks,
Rick from Palmerston North, New Zealand

Hi Rick and welcome to the forum!

If this is an iPod, there is converter were you can plug the USB cable into and then plug it into the electricity outlet. This converter might also work for non-ipod usb cables, but I am not sure. Finding a computer every day to charge your player I think will be difficult.

Saludos,
Ivar

 

[anniethenurse]

What kind of converters, plug adapters and shapes - check here http://treehouse.ofb.net/go/en/voltage.

I´ll bring my Ipod (will be using it at nights when everybody else is snoring around me...).

annie

 

[ivar]

The one I was thinking of is this one:
http://store.apple.com/es/product/MB051 ... MjE0ODcyNw
...the usb cable plugs into this "thingy". If you go to your local Apple Store, make sure to tell them that you will be using it in Spain (220Volt).

Greetings from Sunny and 26c Santiago,
Ivar

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Unlike a cell phone where everyone around hears one-half of the conversation, iPods and MP3 players cannot possibly intrude on others. Is it possible that objecting to them is more about others not doing what we would do than it is about impolite behavior?

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Hate to disillusion you, but I can frequently hear what´s being played on other peoples´ IPods and MP3 players from several feet away. I find it´s the person who is "plugged-in" who can´t hear anything...including oncoming bicycles, birdsong, or my Hello.

But to each his own.

Reb.

 

[elzi]

not sure what kind of mp3 players you have but you could try a powermonkey, it charges lots of things and plugs into power sockets. i used it last year on the camino to charge my ipod and phone. you won't always be able to find a power socket even - once every few days probably. i must say i only used the ipod occasionally and often in the evenings, i really enjoyed listenting to the sounds of nature etc whilst walking maybe you should encourage your teenagers to try this! (easier said than done? ;D )

 

[johnBCCanada]

As I remember though there were often limited plugs available and aleady many people charging their phones and their cameras so it might not always be possible to charge. For my camera I dealt with that limitation by carrying a spare battery and charging the one not in use when practical.

john

 

[Timo]

Terve,
I use my MP3 while doing something really boring pr monotous job to keep my mind away from the dullness of the activity. I won´t take my MP3 to the Camino. I don´t understand the whole idea to fill one´s head with music when one seeks tranquility of the pilgrimage. Peace!
-T-

 

[WolverineDG]

there are special power chargers available that plug into an electrical outlet. you'll need a plug converter for the European outlet itself, though. Finding an available outlet might be hit or miss, as others will be charging their phones, iPods, etc, plus you'll have to babysit it to make sure it doesn't walk off on its own. The exception is the private albergue in Atapuerca, which has outlets at each bedside, so you can charge up your iPod or phone while you sleep.

And I can understand the need to bring your own entertainment devices on long flights. I'll be taking my iPod with me for that, in case I don't care for any of the inflight entertainment options. I found on my first camino that I couldn't stand listening to my iPod at night, so I left it in my pack until it was time to go home.

Kelly

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I bought a universal battery charger in France that can recharge virtually any camera or cell phone battery. It has a port on the side to charge USB devices. It is lightweight and has a dozen cable adapters. It was a lot like this one:

http://www.rueducommerce.fr/m/ps/mpid:M ... CAM1924377

A similar charger may be available in Spain.

 

[NaKwendaSafari]

Hi Rickfield,
[*We are planning to start the camino at the end of May accompanied by 2 teenaged children.
Will there be facilities at the refugios for them to re-charge their mp3 players ? They need to re-charge by being plugged into a computer !

Thanks,
Rick from Palmerston North, New Zealand]

You can buy 3 ipod charger from Trademe (I am sure your teenagers will know how) at http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-ph ... 350845.htm.

These consists of one charger with USB which connects to a computer (which they may have), another one plugs their ipod into the car charger and the last but most important one is the wall charger where they plug ttheir ipod into a wall socket. The Spanish voltage is the same and you can buy an adapter for the NZ plug to fit into the European sockets used in Spain. The cost of the 3 in 1 charger set is NZ$13.50, you can get the adapter for NZ$3. Weight of these chargers is less than an apple.

This might be a good opportunity to teach the youngsters that they can get along without the MP-3. Facilities to recharge will not be common in the refugios.

I do not agree with the above comments, particularly with the first sentence which is far off topic. The second sentence is misleading, far from being a primitive trail with basic facilities the 21st century Spain is very modern with most mod-cons, let the teenagers enjoy their camino as there are many ways to charge their ipod. How I wish there were more teenagers following their parents. As Chinese where most of the chargers (and ipods) are made we treasure the family bond where families share the trials and tribulations together.

Contact me by pm if you need more help

Joe from Christchurch

 

[anniethenurse]

I just finished my camino from SJPP to Burgos and brought my camera, my ipod and my cell phone with me. No problem charging them at all.

annie

 

[Anniesantiago]

I found my iPod especially useful at night, to block out the snoring of other pilgrims, but I agree with Rebecca, that sometimes teens play it so loud that it can be distracting (and rude) to fellow pilgrims.
I had no problems charging mine with an adapter that plugged into the wall.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I met one teen on the Camino. Fortunately, he was more than three feet away from me the entire time, so I could not hear his music, if he was playing any. The number of old coots was greater, but their eyes were too bad to see the screen on an iPod. As always, the Camino provides.

I don't think I like kids much, but I have a hard time believing that iPods make them evil (like those snorers are).