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How To Recognize a Fellow Forum Member While On Camino

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My patch has been spotted by eagle eyed pilgrims in airports. But my most novel outing as a forum member was by my stepson who stumpled across and old post while searching for answers on the Portuguese route. Much mirth was to be had by our children reading our back catalogue of advice, although they did admit it was useful.
 
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I've been on the camino three times, but only had two comments on my patch, which I had so proudly sewn on my pack. One woman simply said, "I like your patch." (Obviously not a forum member!).

The other called out "Camino forum!" and invited me to join her group for a cerveza after I registered at the albergue. Fun night with new friends, lots of comaraderie. And yes, after a few beers we all radiated wisdom.
 
Rick of Rick and Peg said:
I've got mine. I wonder though when anyone else will get a chance to see it.
Click to expand...
kirkie said:
Easy peasy. Post a photo of the backpack...then we can all see it!
Click to expand...
Camino Chris said:
No upcoming plans yet, Rick?
Click to expand...
I should have mentioned that on my next (just a second) camino I intend to have my forum avatar embroidered onto a patch (with attached googly eyes) and attached next to the forum badge. As I'm not sure when I'll be back and what pack I'll use the forum patch hasn't been sewn onto anything yet.

Here's a picture though of what I draped onto my pack 40 years ago to help me get rides when I was hitchhiking down under. Eight of the twelve flags I sewed and embroidered myself. I cheated a bit and added Hawaii's state flag. These were for the places I visited on the trip.

 
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That is truly lovely, Rick! Jeff does handiwork, too. I guess you boys have more in common than just your witty puns!
 
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ranthr said:
I have had this badge on my backpack but never met a forummember.
Click to expand...
Us neither - during 2 Caminos. However, we have had ex-pilgrims recognize the arrow on the patch in airports or by non-walkers when we were walking on Caminos, especially on the Portuguese where we were virtually the only pilgrims. We also have had comments on the shell on our daypacks on non-Camino trips. We've left them there on purpose to see if get any comments! But, none have been Forum-related.
 
With the multitude of fellow pilgrims, it would be likely that the badge would seldom be recognized by another Forum member just by virtue of the odds.

The badge/patch only serves to decrease those odds Imagine, if it is tough to meet a Forum member WITH the badge, how much tougher it would be without.
 
You will see other dark blue patches with yellow arrows on the Camino. We'll call out to those passing us (we're slow!) and often a nice conversation will ensue even when it's not a Forum patch. We also have Texas patches and that generates lots of comments as usually the first question asked is, "Where are you from?", followed by cowboy questions
 
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I ran into Joe Flavin 2 years ago at the Ibaneta pass. He had said on a forum thread when he found out my dates I was starting..."You will recognize me as I will be wearing a "Life is Good" hat. I thought to myself, "Yeah, right"...but sure enough, there he was!
 
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lt56ny said:
Can you sew mine on my backpack for me???
Click to expand...

Sew??? Ha!!! I use Velcro for fabrics. One side to the pack the other side to the back of the patch. The glue adheres really well to both the backpack and the patch. If I want I can remove patches as needed or desired.
 
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I gave a Texas flag sticker to the proprietor of the Cowboy Bar in El Ganso. I felt it was needed. He stuck it on the cash drawer.
 
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Altus ANDES 400 H30 sleeping bag
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
peregrina2000 said:
I have met several forum members walking. They recognized me because of my head of shocking white hair. But I have been meaning to get a forum patch, so thanks for the nudge, @davebugg.

Buen camino,Laurie
Click to expand...

I understand that. I was recognized because of my backpack, since it is not one commonly used on Camino and the Forum member recalled my mentioning my use of the Gossamer Gear Mariposa. It was only after that when the member then saw my badge.

I was just getting ready to head out the door of the little alburgue where my son Caleb, and I, had shared a private room. I heard someone sitting nearby putting shoes on say, "David Bugg?" I was disoriented a bit from having my name called out, but we met and chatted a bit before Caleb and I headed out.
 
International fame. On your next camino you won't have to follow the yellow arrows; just keep on walking down the red carpet.
 
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Rick of Rick and Peg said:
International fame. On your next camino you won't have to follow the yellow arrows; just keep on walking down the red carpet.
Click to expand...

Oh, gawd, I hope to heck not!!!! That meeting because of my backpack was a bit. . . awkward and felt disjointed. Some of how I felt may have been a side effect of the Burgos unpleasantness, though.
 
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I Met Sunny on Camino, for the first time, think it was in Zubiri. She was either with her husband/brother. Some time after this first meeting, I bumpeb into the couple again. The talk was about weather and what happens when it rains. My response was the same one I'd given on the Forum months earlier. Sunny's husband/brother started laughing and said, HEY YOU ARE TRAVELITE! So, there you are. I wasn't even aware there was such a thing as a forum badge.
 
The badge is good, but you don't need it. I sat opposite a young man on the train to Waterloo (London) on Wednesday and we recognised each other as pilgrims even though I was besuited, wearing a tie and on my way to a business meeting. He was from Hungary and on his way to walk St Davids Way with a friend from Canada who he'd met on the camino frances two years ago. We had a pleasant chat and I wished him 'buen camino! as we parted at the station.
Peter
 

You are right, Peter; for recognizing other pilgrims you don't really need one. I had much the same experience all along the way from flying and traveling from home to the start of my Caminos. You just sort of develop a sense of recognition of the little indicators from others.

But for recognizing Forum members, it allows us to pick out one another from the rest of the pilgrim world
 
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Darn! I just place an order and didn’t see this, I’ll be walking the Portuguese Camino this year, did the frances a few years ago. I will have a Canadian flag on my pack though
 
What a marvellous idea!! I am starting in Porto March 20, is there a forum shop in Porto? Near cathedral? Boncamino everyone
 
Camino Preparation Guide
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
davebugg said:
In October
Sew??? Ha!!! I use Velcro for fabrics. One side to the pack the other side to the back of the patch. The glue adheres really well to both the backpack and the patch. If I want I can remove patches as needed or desired.
Click to expand...
Show me, please.
 
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Dang, I should have ordered one of those and the googly eyes.

The only personalisation on my backpack is a Critical Role keyring. (It’s a D&D Roleplaying show)

 
@davebugg, did you also stitch/sew that piece of Velcro to your bag?

EDIT: D'uh, R&C!
 
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