EmoJohnson
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Portuguese coastal way (2017)
Camino Frances (May/June 2018)
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All that neuroticism for naught! Thank you, Peter!Looks fine .
Wish you well,Peter.
In addition to SY 's reply everywhere in Portugal and Spain are so called China shops where they sell everything and even the "kitchensink" as the saying is.Buen Camino! Even if you have forgotten something - remember there are plenty of stores, especially at the typical starting points, that cater to forgetful pilgrims and their needs ;-)
BC SY
Tape the adapter to the charger so the adapter isn't left behind in the outlet as happened to me (but at the next stop I picked up one that someone else lost the same way. ) If you do lose the adapter it will likely be easier and not much more expensive to seek out a European charger instead of an adapter that no one in Europe needs.
I for one would not recommend a "tienda de chinos" for electronics equipment. About all that's guaranteed is that it will be cheap. Many Spaniards have warned me that a lot of the devices like chargers and adaptors have fake stamps of compliance with international electricity norms (I think that's what that stamp that looks like "C€" is).
Those stores are great for a lot of things, like pillowcases that fit Spanish pillows, cheap sunglasses, socks, etc, and they also tend to be open without closing for lunch. In fact, you will often see the family eating their own lunch while you shop.
That day without my adapter I was worried about where I would find another. Then I realized that what I really needed was not an adapter but a gizmo that could be plugged into a continental electrical socket that would supply 5 volts DC for USB charging. Those are easy to find. But by luck I found that adapter that someone else lost before buying a charger.This is a very, very good idea. I lost three europlug adapters just this way. While a nuisance, I had no trouble finding shops that sold replacements in the larger towns - just by asking someone. The adapters are cheap and readily available for us nortamericanos, but never needing to find one is easier still!
That day without my adapter I was worried about where I would find another. Then I realized that what I really needed was not an adapter but a gizmo that could be plugged into a continental electrical socket that would supply 5 volts DC for USB charging. Those are easy to find. But by luck I found that adapter that someone else lost before buying a charger.
By the way, for USB chargers you don't need the heavier, bulkier and more expensive 3 pin adapters (the kind I had for a few days.)
Common in the USA as well.In Spanish hotels it's likely you will have to use your hotel key to activate the electricity. Lights, TV etc
I'm guessing this is common in many parts of the world ...
Really? I've never encountered it in the US.Common in the USA as well.
I haven't either. And I've been around the block a few times lolReally? I've never encountered it in the US.
I've mostly stayed in hotels in the west coast, so I'm not sure what's customary elsewhere in the US. I think that I first encountered the practice in South Korea.I haven't either. And I've been around the block a few times lol
I've mostly stayed in hotels in the west coast, so I'm not sure what's customary elsewhere in the US. I think that I first encountered the practice in South Korea.
If the adapter doesn't work I guarantee you will find the correct one in any of the numerous variety stores in Spain. (Tienda de Chinos is a good call). Either way don't sweat it. Go and have the time of your life !!!!!!!!!!
I'm not sure that I would consider a simple plug adapter to be "electronics".No, no, no is what I say to that advice! I do not know a single Spaniard who would ever buy any electronics paraphernalia in a Tienda de Chinos. The things sold there are likely to be of very poor quality, and not up to international standards. Actually I think I already said that in this long thread, so I'm sorry for repeating myself.