Mailing ahead on Camino Frances

[ladnermag]

I'll be starting in SJPdP May 9th and think I may want to mail toiletries, etc ahead to about the halfway point just to make my pack a bit lighter. What is the simplest procedure? The post office won't be open when we arrive in St Jean. Halfway point would be somewhere between Burgos and Leon. Anyone done this?

 

[PANO]

Mailing from a post office to another, addressed to yourself as "Poste restante" is technically possible.
But frankly? Not such a good idea. Its not widely done and things can go wrong. But more importantly, you are giving away that unique and precious freedom of walking completely detached of time pressure and possessions, –all you need and have is in your bag–. Can't explain/describe this feeling very well, but I would never give it away for some toiletries!
There is nothing that you cannot buy or replenish on the way, so why bother? You'll laugh at the idea once you casually stroll through the shopping streets in Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, Leon, etc. etc. Carry light, in every sense of the word.
Buen Camino.

 

[KinkyOne]

I'll be starting in SJPdP May 9th and think I may want to mail toiletries, etc ahead to about the halfway point just to make my pack a bit lighter. What is the simplest procedure? The post office won't be open when we arrive in St Jean. Halfway point would be somewhere between Burgos and Leon. Anyone done this?

I agree with PANO but if you really have to mail some things ahead this is the way to do it in case of Poste Restante. In Spain that's called "Lista de Correos":
John DOE
Lista de Correos
Pl. Rosa dels Vents 9
46730 Gandia
Valencia

Use this link to find postal codes:
http://www.correos.es/ss/Satellite/site/pagina-inicio/info

The other way is to contact (private!) albergue, ask them if it's OK to send a parcel which will wait for you until certain date. Last year my family sent me some stuff to Albergue Unamuno in Leon and everything went well, the package was waiting for me there for a few days.

Ultreia!

 

[KerrySA]

I made tiny little bottles of shampoo and conditioner last 6 weeks when I thought they'd last 2 max. (I have very long hair and washed it almost every night). It's amazing what you can make do with on the Camino.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Spain has an ample supply of toiletries. The Camino is not a third world expedition!