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Lost items tales

CamisMors

Camilla
Time of past OR future Camino
Francés - September/2023
Inglés - October/2024
I’m just two weeks away from my next Camino, and of course, I’m in full-on research mode—scrolling through every forum I can find (yes, that includes Reddit). One thing I’ve noticed? The number of posts about lost items. Some of them are pretty hilarious, like the guy who forgot his pants at the albergue. But then there are the more heart-sinking ones, like people losing their documents or Camino credentials.
During my last Camino there was this pilgrim who was absolutely crushed because she lost a rosary that had belonged to her grandmother. But what made it heartwarming was how all the other pilgrims rallied together spreading the word, trying to help her find it. Camino magic at its finest!
As for me, I wasn’t spared from the forgetfulness either. I lost a sock that was drying on my backpack, and one morning, I left my towel behind at an albergue. Luckily, the next albergue had a donativos box, and I scored a new one. Sure, it was ridiculously tiny, but to me it was proof that the Camino indeed provides.
So now I’m curious—did you lose anything on the Camino? Was it something precious or just one of those items you manage to live without? And the big question—did you ever get it back? I’d love to hear your stories!
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
did you lose anything on the Camino?
Hasn't everyone at some point?

Was it something precious or just one of those items you manage to live without? And the big question—did you ever get it back? I’d love to hear your stories!
Yes to precious!
One night I splurged and stayed at a very nice CR on the Invierno, and my credential must have slipped between the two single beds that had been pushed together to make a double. I didn't notice until the next day. The story had a wonderful ending, thanks to this forum and the amigas who were behind me:
 
I left my thyroid medicine in one albergue. Went back for it, only to find it gone. Fortunately, it doesn't require a prescription in Spain. (And it costs less than my USA co-pay.)
Forgot my phone charger another time, but remembered before I left the building. But those five minutes were enough for another guy to disappear with it.
Left an iPad in Viana. Returned to find the albergue locked. Got the iPad back, but it took 15-20 minutes to find someone who knew who to call, and an hour for that person to show up and unlock.

 
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A selection of Camino Jewellery
One day I lost my reading glasses. 3 stages later I found them hanging on the keys of a closetdoor. How they got there I don't know. Probably they were in my backpack in a hidden corner and fell out three days later. ( I am sure they were mine because of the colours of the little rope)
 
We usually lose at least one charger. I have also lost my towel. It was one of those awful camp towels that just smears the water around and never really dries you so I replaced it at an Asian store with a regular hand towel and was really much happier.
 
Hasn't everyone at some point?


Yes to precious!
One night I splurged and stayed at a very nice CR on the Invierno, and my credential must have slipped between the two single beds that had been pushed together to make a double. I didn't notice until the next day. The story had a wonderful ending, thanks to this forum and the amigas who were behind me:
haha what a ride! That was a fun read, thanks for the link. I would definitely be devastated if I lost my credential too (I'll make sure I put my address on it next time).
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
I left my thyroid medicine in one albergue. Went back for it, only to find it gone. Fortunately, it doesn't require a prescription in Spain. (And it costs less than my USA co-pay.)
Forgot my phone charger another time, but remembered before I left the building. But those five minutes were enough for another guy to disappear with it.
Left an iPad in Viana. Returned to find the albergue locked. Got the iPad back, but it took 15-20 minutes to find someone who knew who to call, and an hour for that person to show up and unlock.
The charger is a classic. I remember when I was checking in to an Albergue and a guy asked the hospitaleiro If they had a spare charger he could borrow. Then the hospitaleiro rolls his eyes and opens a drawer with a crazy tangle of probably 30 of them, any brand and model you could think of. 😅 It was a funny moment.
 
I’ve lost just about everything you can possibly lose, bar my actual backpack. So, I don’t take things I can’t afford to lose or don’t want to risk losing.
So long as I don’t lose my soul, I’m sweet!!
Having said that, with a few phone calls back and forth I do occasionally find a lost item, including my credential, which I left at an albergue in Astorga. The keeper kindly posted it to me and I got it back in Santiago! 😂😊
 
I have left a charger behind and also my fave
cotton flannel infant towel. The next day staying at a private pension I asked the owner if I could purchase one of his because I knew I would have no opportunity to replace mine for several days. He sold me a used thick hand towel for €5; better than nothing.
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Not too long ago I did a forum search looking for the tale of a boy's lost teddy bear. I had no luck. Can anyone else find it?
I, too, remember a very touching, heartwarming story about a lost teddybear and then someone found it much later (I think). Maybe someone will be able to find the thread.
 
I’m just two weeks away from my next Camino, and of course, I’m in full-on research mode—scrolling through every forum I can find (yes, that includes Reddit). One thing I’ve noticed? The number of posts about lost items. Some of them are pretty hilarious, like the guy who forgot his pants at the albergue. But then there are the more heart-sinking ones, like people losing their documents or Camino credentials.
During my last Camino there was this pilgrim who was absolutely crushed because she lost a rosary that had belonged to her grandmother. But what made it heartwarming was how all the other pilgrims rallied together spreading the word, trying to help her find it. Camino magic at its finest!
As for me, I wasn’t spared from the forgetfulness either. I lost a sock that was drying on my backpack, and one morning, I left my towel behind at an albergue. Luckily, the next albergue had a donativos box, and I scored a new one. Sure, it was ridiculously tiny, but to me it was proof that the Camino indeed provides.
So now I’m curious—did you lose anything on the Camino? Was it something precious or just one of those items you manage to live without? And the big question—did you ever get it back? I’d love to hear your stories!
Well, since you asked, the one item I lost proved to be a bit challenging since I lost my mind. However, my wife told me it really no big deal since I never had much of one to begin with so you can see that life often balances out. Chuck
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
I discovered I had lost my US passport when I tried to check in at lodging in Pamplona. Fortunately, my travel plans included three weeks after SdC to travel Portugal and South Spain so I wasn't too worried. The worst thing that would happen was that I was going to have to miss the Pearl Jam concert in Lisbon and instead go to the consulate in Barcelona or Madrid. Darn. So I went on about my merry Way, using a pic of my passport to check in.



Surprise in Belorado, ten days later, when my walking partner accidentally dumped out her daypack and there was my passport and credencial!!!! I was jumping up and down I GET TO SEE PEARL JAM!!!
 
Walking the Lana I lost a pair of underwear. I had them hanging on the clothes line to dry and the following morning they were gone! Since I was alone in the albergue who knows what happened to them haha.

Up until then I always took two pairs of socks and underwear. Luckily there was a Chinese Bazar in the next town. And from then on I always take three😉
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I left a knee brace around Foncebedaon at my hotel but thankfully had a second with me. Lost a pair of sunglasses half way to Puenta la Reina. And I broke 3 pairs of reading glasses. Nothing that wasn't easily replaced.
 
had a friend who forgot her pants as well.... For the Love of Santiago I cannot figure that one out, but apparently it does happen.
The thing(s) I've lost the most were the bottles of shampoo. I would buy a reasonably large bottle and use it for the shower and to do laundry. More often than not - I would leave it by the laundry sink probably 2nd or 3rd day after I bought it. I think I probably could've stayed couple of extra nights in Leon Parador for the combined cost of these lost bottles.....
Thankfully I never lost\left behind anything of a serious value (and obviously between the phone, the small power bank, the charger, the Euro Adapter and of course money CCs and documents - there is a lot to look after).
I lost and lamented for a day after the insoles that I took out to air dry. Dont even ask me how I put on the boots and went walking without them (reckon same way people forget their pants)... IIRC SDdC was the next large city and that was the day I passed through it so got me a new pair.
The funny whimsical one was that in Hospital de Orbido (San Miguel Albergue) after @arturo garcia did my laundry I somehow managed to pick up a left only pair of Darn Tough and Injinji socks leaving the right ones back in Albergue! Thankfully Arturo was able to locate the "missing children" and sent them over to my "next" albergue in molinaseca where we happily reunited :D
 
I left a knee brace around Foncebedaon at my hotel but thankfully had a second with me. Lost a pair of sunglasses half way to Puenta la Reina. And I broke 3 pairs of reading glasses. Nothing that wasn't easily replaced.
Oh yes, I forgot...I've lost 2 pr. sunglasses, and my favorite camino hat I forgot at a restaurant.
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Perfect memento/gift in a presentation box. Engraving available, 25 character max.
On the Norte this spring I lost my beloved and much-needed Altus rain poncho. I had carelessly let it hang from my pack to dry and it fell off while I was walking. When we discovered it was missing we retraced our steps but couldn't find it and no one coming up the trail had seen it. I was about to give up and then thought to ask at the next albergue, even though we didn't plan to stay there. To my great joy, someone had brought the poncho and left it there. I'll never know who took it there but I am grateful. Two lessons learned: (1) Secure the poncho with a caribiner instead of just letting it hang off the back pack and (2) check at the next albergue if you lose something.
 
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On the Camino in 2014, getting my mind off of a very stressful work environment was a top priority. I stopped to take a break somewhere after Orisson. A couple hours later I made another stop, this time for lunch, and panicked for a moment when realized that my hat, which had a logo from my workplace on it, was no longer on my head. I'd managed to lose it at the previous stop.

Losing that hat was a blessing. No more reminders of work because of that hat for the next 30+ days. When unpleasant thoughts of work would intrude, I'd immediately think to myself, 'Leave them with the hat!' and press on. I like to think that some hatless shepherd picked it up and made good use of it. Or that a sheep did what sheep do on it, hastening it's return to the earth. :)
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
A friend and I, while on the Via Podiensis liked to stop for a lunch by the side of the Camino and enjoy some dry sausage, cheese and baguette. One day we stopped at a beautiful little picnic spot in a forest and removed our packs, shoes, hats etc. Afterwards, we started out again in the shady forest and when we reached the open road and the sun came out, I reached for my hat ... and it was not there!! I realized it was a few kilometres behind us in the forest. Well, I was not going back for it, and that was fine, because in the next town was a small shop with some Camino supplies, and the woman running the store there sold me a new hat that she said would enable me to walk 5 kilometers more each day! 😄 It was a magic hat ! We all had a good laugh!

And here is another happy lost and found story I posted a few months ago:
 
The charger is a classic. I remember when I was checking in to an Albergue and a guy asked the hospitaleiro If they had a spare charger he could borrow. Then the hospitaleiro rolls his eyes and opens a drawer with a crazy tangle of probably 30 of them, any brand and model you could think of. 😅 It was a funny moment.
Yes, as hospitalero, I provided cables, chargers, adapters often from such a drawer. For the one that was stolen, however, I had to take a bus to León to replace it.
 
Perfect memento/gift in a presentation box. Engraving available, 25 character max.
On my first Camino my prescription glasses slipped out of my backpack while I was wearing my optical sunglasses.
At my next stop in Los Arcos I met a nice Polish couple walking the Camino all through Europe since Poland, he with a weak leg and a weak arm after having a stroke 19 years ago. He was showing great humour telling me that it wasn't that bad as only one of his legs was hurting while his wife was worse off with both legs aching with sore muscles. While we were talking about our varying experiences on our Caminos, I realized that my spectacles were gone.
First reaction obviously: I wanted to jump around in front of the church like a madmen shouting all kinds of f***s and sh**s about this mishap, when a tiny little voice at the back of my brain appeared and whispered: Calm down boy, there's worse things in the world than lost glasses.
I walked on with my sunglasses up to Burgos (difficult in dark albergues and early mornings) where some super professional opticians made me some new glasses until noon next day.
 
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In Barcelona I loosen my trousers, get access to my ATM card in my money pouch and use it to get 300€. I put 50 into my wallet, fold up the remainder in a wad and slide it and the ATM card into the pouch and zip it up. Now Peg and I walk a short way to the beach. After some time there we head back to the hotel but quickly discover ourselves in a somewhat industrial area so it's not the way back and we turn around. Peg sees a card on the sidewalk. As we get closer we see it's plastic. I pick it up and I'm surprised that it is issued by our small local bank. What are the odds? You know what I see next; the card is mine. A quick check shows no money in the pouch either. I had missed getting things into the pouch. We head back to the beach in search of cash but none is found. I figured I learned an expensive lesson but as we get back onto the (correct) street I felt something strange by one of my ankles. Fortunately it was the entire wad of money just ready to escape.
 
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
I think that the easiest thing to lose on camino must be footwear. Leave it in the rack at the front of the albergue (obligatory) and it disappears by the next morning's departure, generally replaced by similar footwear, which just doesn't fit quite right. On one camino walk, I lost my boots. They were generously replaced the next day by a pair which fitted me and were no longer needed by someone leaving for home that morning.
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
My lost & found story does have a happy ending ...

The Larrasoaña albergue back then was run by the mayor of the town (his first name was Santiago, which I took to be a good sign). I'd been walking with an American peregrina that day - actually it was 11 September 2001 and at dinner that night we got the first garbled reports of what had happened in New York, but that's an entirely different story.

On arrival we handed our credencials over to the mayor and, rather than stamping them and giving them back, he said he'd keep them until the morning.

Morning comes, and he can't find them! Much rending of garments and beating of breasts ensues.

So we headed off to a local cafe for some breakfast, hoping the credencials might emerge from the filing system in the interim. Happily, they did. As we walked back to the albergue, His Honour was just backing his car out in preparation to driving to another albergue down the road a bit - to Trinidad de Arre, from memory - in the hope we'd and find them stop there. Phew!
 
I’ve definitely left behind my walking pole on accident. Also sunglasses.

On the Primitivo a few years ago I was taking a break and a Spanish peregrino came up to me with a red flip flop, asking if it was mine. He’d found it on the road and figured it fell out of someone’s pack. I told him no, and then kept walking. I ran into him again in Salas (my stop for the day) and he was still on the hunt for the red flip flop owner.

A couple hours later I met a German peregrino who was taking a break outside my albergue. We ended up chatting for like 3 hours and in the middle of that discovered he had lost his red flip flop somewhere along the way today. I told him I knew who had it, and could go to the Spaniard’s albergue and get it back for him. He told me not to worry about it, because he’d just bought a cheap replacement pair of flip flops in a shop in Salas. We kept talking.

So while he didn’t end up getting his red flip flop back, the Camino provided a lovely random talk with a fellow peregrino who I’ve been walking with ever since.
 
I’m just two weeks away from my next Camino, and of course, I’m in full-on research mode—scrolling through every forum I can find (yes, that includes Reddit). One thing I’ve noticed? The number of posts about lost items. Some of them are pretty hilarious, like the guy who forgot his pants at the albergue. But then there are the more heart-sinking ones, like people losing their documents or Camino credentials.
During my last Camino there was this pilgrim who was absolutely crushed because she lost a rosary that had belonged to her grandmother. But what made it heartwarming was how all the other pilgrims rallied together spreading the word, trying to help her find it. Camino magic at its finest!
As for me, I wasn’t spared from the forgetfulness either. I lost a sock that was drying on my backpack, and one morning, I left my towel behind at an albergue. Luckily, the next albergue had a donativos box, and I scored a new one. Sure, it was ridiculously tiny, but to me it was proof that the Camino indeed provides.
So now I’m curious—did you lose anything on the Camino? Was it something precious or just one of those items you manage to live without? And the big question—did you ever get it back? I’d love to hear your stories!
Hello,
Yes, I have heard of numerous items being lost along the Camino ie., their phone charger and all, sweater, credencial nearly full of sellos ... in all cases I joined in the search with no success. In my case, I had reached Triacastela on the Frances and someone helped themselves to my very expensive Tilley hat which had served me well in cool/windy mornings, rainy days but most importantly through the searing heat of the Meseta. I still lament that loss as I had grown very attached to it and no, I did not get it back even after reporting and reached Santiago without replacing it. I hope it has gone on to serve a much needed pilgrim 🙏
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I think that the easiest thing to lose on camino must be footwear. Leave it in the rack at the front of the albergue (obligatory) and it disappears by the next morning's departure, generally replaced by similar footwear, which just doesn't fit quite right. On one camino walk, I lost my boots. They were generously replaced the next day by a pair which fitted me and were no longer needed by someone leaving for home that morning.
My goodness!!! That was my fear, so I made the point of tying them together by the shoelaces
 
My lost & found story does have a happy ending ...

The Larrasoaña albergue back then was run by the mayor of the town (his first name was Santiago, which I took to be a good sign). I'd been walking with an American peregrina that day - actually it was 11 September 2001 and at dinner that night we got the first garbled reports of what had happened in New York, but that's an entirely different story.

On arrival we handed our credencials over to the mayor and, rather than stamping them and giving them back, he said he'd keep them until the morning.

Morning comes, and he can't find them! Much rending of garments and beating of breasts ensues.

So we headed off to a local cafe for some breakfast, hoping the credencials might emerge from the filing system in the interim. Happily, they did. As we walked back to the albergue, His Honour was just backing his car out in preparation to driving to another albergue down the road a bit - to Trinidad de Arre, from memory - in the hope we'd and find them stop there. Phew!
Why would he keep them for the night???
 
Hello,
Yes, I have heard of numerous items being lost along the Camino ie., their phone charger and all, sweater, credencial nearly full of sellos ... in all cases I joined in the search with no success. In my case, I had reached Triacastela on the Frances and someone helped themselves to my very expensive Tilley hat which had served me well in cool/windy mornings, rainy days but most importantly through the searing heat of the Meseta. I still lament that loss as I had grown very attached to it and no, I did not get it back even after reporting and reached Santiago without replacing it. I hope it has gone on to serve a much needed pilgrim 🙏
I was very sorry to hear about your loss of your Tilley hat, as mine has accompanied me for many years, both on camino and while walking in the Canadian Rockies. They are expensive, but worth the price, and I never go out on the sun without my Tilley hat. It is not my first. You can buy another, you know,
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
I was very sorry to hear about your loss of your Tilley hat, as mine has accompanied me for many years, both on camino and while walking in the Canadian Rockies. They are expensive, but worth the price, and I never go out on the sun without my Tilley hat. It is not my first. You can buy another, you know,
Thank you fellow, Canuck and fellow Albertan ... I did buy another for my Camino Portugues:)
 
People on the Camino are truly kind. I still remember walking with a T-shirt hanging on my backpack when a guy warned me about someone who had lost a green T-shirt the same way—by hanging it on his pack. He advised me to keep an eye on my clothes. About three days later, while I was resting, a lady came up to me and asked, 'Is this your green T-shirt? It looks like your size.' I told her the story, and she said she'd keep looking for the owner.

A few days later, I was chatting with a fellow pilgrim, and he shared a reflection with me: 'You don’t need to worry about losing anything on the Camino. Just do your part and stay happy. What belongs to you will find its way back.' I asked where that insight came from, and he revealed that he had lost a green T-shirt. After giving up hope and deciding to just enjoy the present moment, his T-shirt found its way back to him. It was one of the most touching moments on the journey.
 
I lost an inexpensive bracelet that I had actually found on the camino, the circumstances and the timing of which, were very fitting. I walked solo on my first camino in 2018, when my cousin who was to join me, had to cancel only 3 weeks prior. I set out as planned with uncertainty and butterflies and with a promise to myself to be vigilant regarding matters of safety (not unduly so but as necessary/befitting a solo hike across a country). One day in the first week, as I stopped to rest at an overpass over a creek, I recalled specifically how in the movie 'The Way' , Martin Sheen lost his pack in the river, and I thought to myself ... I should be careful to set my backpack down on the ground and not on the ledge, as I was about to do. As I did so, I found an inexpensive bracelet on the ground, with a suede strap and small camino shell. I thought a pilgrim must have stopped here before me and lost it, and that I would wear it with the hope to find them and return it. Well, 800 km later, I finished in Santiago but never did find them but somehow felt that they walked with me in a sense, and it served as a reminder to be careful as/when needed. I came to really like the bracelet and was happy to keep it after I finished. However only a few days later, sadly upon my arrival home I realized I no longer had it on my wrist, somehow losing / misplacing on my journey home. I was disappointed but it seemed fitting thinking I no longer needed it, having finished my camino safely, and perhaps it might be found and serve another pilgrim, like it did me.
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
There’s a pair of not-inexpensive sunglasses being enjoyed (I hope) by someone who sat sometime after me on the bench just to the left at the top the stairs up to Portomarin. Lesson learned - I now bring only cheap sunglasses.

Someone in Padron may be wearing a black baseball hat with the initials LHWPG on it. Meaningless to anyone not familiar with the Lake Harmony (Pennsylvania) Watershed Preservation Group.

Neither of these were significant enough to me to send out a “lost!” request on social media.
 
Oh, what DIDN'T I lose on that first Camino?

My guidebook, a pair of shorts, a tshirt, a pair of socks, a pair of underwear (basically, an entire outfit, and I was only carrying two!!) my earbuds...

I've lost other things on other Camino's but never as much as that first year. In normal life, I'm usually very careful with my things and not forgetful, but I think there was something about how all-consuming that first Camino was, that led me to lose all of these items.

Frustrating/annoying at the time, but quickly I learned to keep it all in perspective and realize they were just... things. It turns out I didn't need the guidebook, and I could just follow the arrows. The lost pair of shorts? I replaced them with a comfortable, loungy pair of pants to wear in the evenings, and just wore my hiking pants to walk. The lost socks and underwear were annoying but I was carrying three pairs of each, and the remaining two were sufficient (one key reason I always bring 3 pairs of socks/underwear, despite knowing I can get by with 2!).

On another Camino I left behind my hat (I still miss that hat), but when I went into a store to pick up a replacement in Leon, I had an encounter with another pilgrim who has since become a friend.

There's not always a positive spin when we lose something, but hearing about some of the Camino magic in this thread is heart-warming. And I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who loses things on the Camino!
 
Towards the end of a long second day on the Norte I stopped at the top of a hill in Deba where a number of pilgrims were resting near a ruin and filling water bottles. I had some trouble removing my pack and impatiently tossed it on the ground in exhausted frustration. An hour or so later after descending the hill and taking a few wrong turns (the first lesson in not following the pilgrims in front of you before making sure you’re on the path), and arriving at the beach, I realized that I no longer had the little pouch that attached to my shoulder strap, nothing much of value, a spare pare of glasses, lip balm, a few euros, however the worst thing was I had tucked a piece of paper with my hotel name and address and had no idea where to go and was in a complete panic, but trying not to panic and not be so hard on myself. I finally thought to call home and have my husband check his copy of my itinerary (why did it take me so long to figure that out?! And why didn’t I have a copy of it on my phone?!). An hour later at my hotel I tried to explain to the woman who checked me in that I had lost something, but her English was limited (not as limited as my Spanish) and I didn’t think she understood me. About two hours later she surprised me by knocking on my door to tell me someone had found it and called the hotel after finding the paper! She arranged to have a baggage transport person deliver it to my next day’s hotel so I only was without my belongings for a day. I never found out who was kind enough to take care of my pouch, neither the hotel receptionist nor the luggage driver would accept a tip as a thank you, but I learned a number of important lessons!

1. Take a picture of my next day’s destination in case I lost the paper. That also made it easier to find my hotel when arriving at my destination as I didn't have to type in the address in Google Maps (I seemed to always get turned around in cities trying to find my hotel, so used Google Maps to get there and then back on the route the next morning).

2. Remembering not to be too hard on myself when I make a mistake. This is one of those challenging lessons, still learning, but I often think back on that day when I start beating myself up over something.

3. Being grateful for the random kindness of strangers - especially this, and repaying it. Be good, do good.

4. And most importantly, I thought a lot about throwing down my pack in a moment of frustration, which is surely when the pouch came off the strap. It was totally my own fault and why was I letting anger get the better of me especially over such a trivial matter of taking off my pack (yeah isn’t it always such a pain, but still….). For me, one of those lessons I try to keep in mind now every time I find myself getting frustrated and impatient with something.

Of course I lost other things too, my guidebook somewhere after the second week leaving me with just Buen Camino app which was enough although I likely missed out on knowing about some attractions along the way. I some how also lost my passport the day before I was to depart Santiago. I wasn’t completely sure but I thought I left it in the pilgrims office in Santiago after getting my credential (I had kept it with my pilgrims passport in a dry sack the entire 6 weeks and had been so careful to always return it to ithe same pocket in my pack, and didn’t realize it until after the office was closed) - which meant I missed my early morning flight. So I spent the evening trying not to panic too much (I had a picture of my passport on my phone and was spending another week in Spain so I kept telling myself, if I have to replace it, it's a hassle but I have time to do it, and trying to let go of all the chatter in my head so I could get to sleep) and hoping it would be there. After 42 days of being so careful, how could I have lost track of it on the last day! Fortunately it was there and I was able to get a seat on the next flight. I guess by the end I had somehow let down my guard during an emotional moment - I hadn't even planned on getting a credential, but when I returned to Santiago after finishing at Muxia there was no line and I decided to do it, and surprised to find myself tearing up when speaking to the volunteer about my Camino. The price of a new ticket was a small price to pay to recover my passport and go on my way without having to deal with replacing. The later flight also meant a much more leisurely departure and being able to enjoy a lovely hotel breakfast! So like everything else, it all worked out. One of the reasons we walk the Camino, to remind ourselves of these important lessons (and then try to live them when we return).
 
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Perfect memento/gift in a presentation box. Engraving available, 25 character max.
I had a bad habit of setting down my water bottle to use both hands and forgetting to pick it up before walking away. I always managed to get it back later, but the backtracking cost some time. One day when I returned to the ATM it was sitting on, I thought, "Some day, I'm going to find this thing surrounded by the bomb squad."
 
I had a bad habit of setting down my water bottle to use both hands and forgetting to pick it up before walking away. I always managed to get it back later, but the backtracking cost some time. One day when I returned to the ATM it was sitting on, I thought, "Some day, I'm going to find this thing surrounded by the bomb squad."
So easy to put something down, get distracted and walk off! Water bottle and walking sticks! After a couple of experiences having to backtrack, I found I just had to ALWAYS put them directly in my pack - another reason to use a hydration system - it's always in there, ha!
 
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So easy to put something down, get distracted and walk off! Water bottle and walking sticks! After a couple of experiences having to backtrack, I found I just had to ALWAYS put them directly in my pack - another reason to use a hydration system - it's always in there, ha!
That's what I learned the hard way when I lost my specs on my first Camino: Don't twiddle around with your stuff. Don't just lay it aside. Always put it back in your pack or attach it where it belongs, when you don't need it. And most important: ZIP UP!
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Camino 1, day 1. Left brand new merino cardigan ( my warm layer) in Roncesvalles. Replaced 5 days later when the weather got cooler from an albergue's lost property box.A good fleece which fitted perfectly and is a colour I would have chosen.
Camino 1, day 2. Left shoulder pouch containing passport, money, cards, credential on the floor of an albergue in Zubiri, where I collapsed exhausted on finding the town completo. Loss discovered on arrival in Larrasoana after hero hospitalera organised taxi and accommodation for me and several others. Son of the Larrasoana pension owner drove to Roncesvalles to collect it. They told me that he had to make the journey anyway. I'm still not sure.
Camino 2 day 2. Lost comb. Had great fun finding a suitable replacement. Day 5 comb discovered, missing teeth, crushed between pages of my passport in money belt. Still a mystery.
Camino 2 day 6. Lovingly hand sewn silk sleeping robe left behind in Porto guesthouse. Still mourned, a bit.
Camino 2, day 7. Base layer, my replacement sleepwear, left behind at albergue. Evening, pilgrim from previous albergue found me and returned worn base layer including yesterday's underwear. Another Camino hero.
Camino 3 day 2. Good Tilley hat left behind in a shop. Replaced, enjoyably at the next bazaar shop on the route, which came 3 days later.

As a fellow pilgrim on Camino 2 remarked " I think you have a special talent for losing things".

Despite .my best efforts to be careful, on my present non-Camino trip I managed to leave behind 3 water bottles in my first 3 days.

I'm trying to regard each forgetfulness as an opportunity....
 
I stopped at the Cowboy Bar in El Ganso for a toilet break and churros. Got to Rabanal del Camino (next town, 6.8km away) and was about to order coffee at a cafe when I discovered my wallet was missing. I had left it in the toilet. I tried calling friends behind me to ask if they had reached the bar yet but they weren't picking up. 10 minutes later, a car turns up at the cafe and a guy hops out holding my wallet and checks if I match the photo on my ID card inside. Someone had reported the wallet to the bar staff who then drove to the next town on the Camino and we just happened to meet at the cafe. All my cash and credit cards were intact. Amazing!!!!
 
The charger is a classic. I remember when I was checking in to an Albergue and a guy asked the hospitaleiro If they had a spare charger he could borrow. Then the hospitaleiro rolls his eyes and opens a drawer with a crazy tangle of probably 30 of them, any brand and model you could think of. 😅 It was a funny moment.
Good to know. If I'm ever on a Camino, and lose or forget my charger, now I know where to ask!
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Great true story here- Exiting the train, JUST as the doors closed behind me, I realized my phone was going on without me. Losing ones phone is serious. More so even than a passport. You can get PP relaced, but all the contacts on your phone? How can you even contact Lost and Found for the train? Or your friends on the Camino? Or your family at home?

Thoughts ran through my head - where do I get a new phone? How do I use a phone purchased in Spain? How can I get help? I felt stupid, lost, alone, and pitiful. I asked the Hospi's for help. They made so many calls for me but no luck finding my phone or coming up with solutions. They told me not to be too hopeful. They couldnt contact anyone at Lost and Found and said most likely my phone had been stolen.

A fellow pilgrim (whom I had not previously met) loaned me her phone and I used WhatsApp to message my husband and daughters. Guess what????? My daughter said she had just gotten a call telling her my phone was at the next train station, with a contact number!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I called the number and was told by the gentleman that he had my phone at the station Lost & Found and would wait for me - the hospi's found me a taxi who drove me to the station. The driver went into the station with me and made certain I found the right person and retrieved my phone. So kind! The gentleman with my phone (a train employee) was genuinely glad to see me and told me how happy it made him when was able to reunite people and their belongings. I was giddy with joy.

I still feel incredibly lucky that so many people and pieces fell into place in such a good way. It takes a village.
 
Great true story here- Exiting the train, JUST as the doors closed behind me, I realized my phone was going on without me. Losing ones phone is serious. More so even than a passport. You can get PP relaced, but all the contacts on your phone? How can you even contact Lost and Found for the train? Or your friends on the Camino? Or your family at home?

Thoughts ran through my head - where do I get a new phone? How do I use a phone purchased in Spain? How can I get help? I felt stupid, lost, alone, and pitiful. I asked the Hospi's for help. They made so many calls for me but no luck finding my phone or coming up with solutions. They told me not to be too hopeful. They couldnt contact anyone at Lost and Found and said most likely my phone had been stolen.

A fellow pilgrim (whom I had not previously met) loaned me her phone and I used WhatsApp to message my husband and daughters. Guess what????? My daughter said she had just gotten a call telling her my phone was at the next train station, with a contact number!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I called the number and was told by the gentleman that he had my phone at the station Lost & Found and would wait for me - the hospi's found me a taxi who drove me to the station. The driver went into the station with me and made certain I found the right person and retrieved my phone. So kind! The gentleman with my phone (a train employee) was genuinely glad to see me and told me how happy it made him when was able to reunite people and their belongings. I was giddy with joy.

I still feel incredibly lucky that so many people and pieces fell into place in such a good way. It takes a village.
I also lost a phone on Camino - on my birthday! I had stopped at a roadside table to eat something and left my phone behind on the table when I got up to continue. I realized my mistake about ten minutes later when o reached for it to take a photo. I wasn't too worried. My phone is lo ked with my fingerprint a d I didn't think there would be a lot of professional phone thieves capable of breaking it deep in rural Portugal. Why would anyone take it? But when I got back to the table, it was nowhere to be found, even though I did a thorough search.

At the albergue, I told my story to the hospitaleros, thinking the next course of action would be to see if anyone had turned it in to the local police. As if! (according to the hospitalero) Notes one would do that. Instead, he drove me back to the location, we both looked around, asked the neighbors (in case someone had turned it in locally). No luluck. We also tried calling it but no answer.

Eventually I thought of borrowing someone else's phone and using the "find my phone" feature for my phone. That allowed us to pinpoint the location. It turned out it was with a farmer my hospitaleros knew. He had picked it up while driving by on his tractor. He wasn't ready to deal with it (or answer it) himself but had been waiting for his kids to get home. He brought it to the albergue and we were reunited.
 
Besides taping information to your phone you could place a slip of paper with that between the phone and its cover.

On Android phones you can put lost and found information onto the lock screen:
Settings > Display > Lock screen > Add text on lock screen

For Peg who has trouble remembering our numbers I put down both of our numbers. For my phone I have an email address and also a number that will forward calls to several other numbers. If not picked up it will record the call and also transcribe it to email a text version. (For US residents look into the free Google Voice service.)
 
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).

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