VintageElsa1967
PeacefulWarrior
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances 2021 or 2022
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That's awesome to hear! I love books and found books especially. I don't plan on bringing reading material so maybe a Camino Angel will leave me a good one..LOLOh, yes!
The first box i came across was a big one in Roncesvalles.
It was filled with a bunch of new and used gear and stuff.
Mostly small items like band-aid, socks, raingear, sticks, stick-rubbers, hats, gloves, etc.
And you'll find it quite often. The bigger the albergue, the more likely aou will find a donation box.
BC
Roland
I did see a book once in a donation box, but it was in Korean. So no use for me.That's awesome to hear! I love books and found books especially. I don't plan on bringing reading material so maybe a Camino Angel will leave me a good one..LOL
Do Alburgues have libraries with books to take and leave?I don't want to say you will be disappointed but it is usually stuff that someone scuttled that they didn't want to carry any longer. Ragged sleeping bags and lots of sleeping pads. This happens in the first couple of stops. There are some resources in Santiago, the Pilgrim House takes used things but they also don't want to get overloaded with junk either. Several people have tried to organize a system for collecting and distributing things, Sybille Yates has tried but then there are expenses. I would say most people take their stuff home with them and replace it before their next walk by giving it to recycling shops.
Yes, some do, or at least did in 2012.Do Alburgues have libraries with books to take and leave?
You won't find any of these boxes at the moment, as due to the Covid regulations albergues are not allowed to have these boxes. And yes indeed, in Roncesvalles in normal times people leave behind lots of things they do not want to take with them like big bottles shampoo, heavy clothes, tents, shoes and many, many books. In fact the albergue's library is filled with those books left behind, but - again according to the Covid rules - the library has to be locked, and also the kitchen.
It almost sounds like you did not need to carry a pack.I've picked up several things in the "Free Boxes" over the years.
I have picked up camping towels, foot cream, a hat, a bra, a clothesline, rain paints, and a warm sweater, among other things.
I have inadvertently donated a pair of ex-officio underwear and pair of darn tough socks from the clothesline.I have inadvertently contributed a sarong, a buff, and a headlight to donation boxes.
I have inadvertently contributed my favorite wool hat, my favorite white wicking running cap, and two pair of sunglasses. If they didn't make it to any donation boxes, I hope they were enjoyed by the new owners who found them on restaurant tables.I have inadvertently contributed a sarong, a buff, and a headlight to donation boxes.
For future reference for other pilgrims, you can mail items to the main post office in Santiago and pick them up when you arrive.Postage for a pair of hiking boots and a self inflating sleeping pad (about 5 lbs or 2.2 kg) from Burgos to Seattle was 50 Euros
I always thought it would be nice to be able to send stuff, like walking sticks that you can't take on the plane back home, or swiss army knives,I read about hiking and have read in several books about Donation boxes that Hikers leave items they don't feel they need for others who may need it, to lighten their load. People leave clothing, books, camp gear, extra shoes, etc. Is there such a thing for the Camino Frances? Is there a forum where people can purchase hiking bags or equipment that was used for the Camino and put away never to be used again or they upgraded with the next Camino. I tried searching on the forum for (Donation boxes) but nothing came up. SO, I imagine most people mail items home?
Just as a side question: I am wondering what if anything did you leave behind or cast off after starting the Camino to lighten the load or because you realized you really did not need it.
Many albergues have similar donation boxes. HOWEVER, I've heard that these are not available or being used currently due to the Covid situation.I read about hiking and have read in several books about Donation boxes that Hikers leave items they don't feel they need for others who may need it, to lighten their load. People leave clothing, books, camp gear, extra shoes, etc. Is there such a thing for the Camino Frances? Is there a forum where people can purchase hiking bags or equipment that was used for the Camino and put away never to be used again or they upgraded with the next Camino. I tried searching on the forum for (Donation boxes) but nothing came up. SO, I imagine most people mail items home?
Just as a side question: I am wondering what if anything did you leave behind or cast off after starting the Camino to lighten the load or because you realized you really did not need it.
I read about hiking and have read in several books about Donation boxes that Hikers leave items they don't feel they need for others who may need it, to lighten their load. People leave clothing, books, camp gear, extra shoes, etc. Is there such a thing for the Camino Frances? Is there a forum where people can purchase hiking bags or equipment that was used for the Camino and put away never to be used again or they upgraded with the next Camino. I tried searching on the forum for (Donation boxes) but nothing came up. SO, I imagine most people mail items home?
Just as a side question: I am wondering what if anything did you leave behind or cast off after starting the Camino to lighten the load or because you realized you really did not need it.
Of course, some of us go even lighter, reading on our phones.Re: finding books in albergues. I can not imagine walking without a book. I'm very social, but really need my alone time as well, and especially like to read myself to sleep. But books are heavy, I'm picky about what I read, and managing a light in bed in an albergue at night without disturbing others is difficult. My solution to all was a light weight, back-lit Kindle. I arrived in Spain with 10 novels and 3 guidebooks to choose from. I was even able to download additional books suggested by other pilgrims. I was very happy with this choice.
Many people read on their phones (and it works great for them)...but I really dislike reading much on my phone, plus trying to use many of the guidebooks on the kindle phone app is a nightmare. Since my Kindle is only 9.5oz, and allows me to forego carrying any books at all (including guide books), it's been worth it to me.Of course, some of us go even lighter, reading on our phones.Not only can we use our Kindle app, but if we want to spend less, we can use our local public library's app to borrow e-books and return them when we are done.
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