- Time of past OR future Camino
- 23:Valença Var Espiritual Apr; Norte Cudillero Oct
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They’ve got the largest range of scissors there that I’ve ever seen.When you board RENFE there is a security X-ray checkpoint. Poles are no problem.
In Santiago, I had bought 2 small dining knives which were wrapped in their original packaging and that I bubble wrapped to my trekking poles and secured in my small duffel bag that gets checked on the plane for return flight to the US. In this duffel go some extras like gifts and this time 3 quesos de tetilla from the mercado de abastos, but, I digress. I was shocked when the knives were confiscated with much fanfare and drama. The sticking point , which I find insane, was that they would have allowed them to go through under 2 conditions if bought 24 prior to travel AND bill of sale/receipt was presented. Huh???? Still is completely illogical to me.
In Madrid, I replaced the knives at this wonderful storefront, Cuchillería Viñas, open since 1925 and now run by the owner’s daughter, on Calle de Atocha. Telling her of the RENFE tale, the elderly owner was visibly outraged at the knife confiscation and I quickly learned some new and highly visual, animated View attachment 121248and creative curses. I learn so much on every Camino. The Camino truly provides. Pictures of her store which is more like a big closet storefront. Worth a visit.
What? None of those beautiful little cans from Las Conservas del Camino? I was skeptical at first, since my only experience with canned fish/seafood is Chicken of the Sea and the occasional anchovy. But they have consistently been big hits when I bring home gifts for friends. Small, beautifully packaged and very cheap.this time 3 quesos de tetilla from the mercado de abastos,
First of all: Thank goodness, this is about knives on trains in Spain and not about knives on planes in Europe!!!The sticking point , which I find insane, was that they would have allowed them to go through under 2 conditions if bought 24 prior to travel AND bill of sale/receipt was presented. Huh???? Still is completely illogical to me.
If the most rigorously logical forum member, bar none, cannot find any logic here, I think it’s safe to say there is none.And this comment is merely a feeble attempt to see some logic in what appears as completely illogical.
It was so crazy, I had to empty everything out in order to get to them and they were totally mummified bubble wrapped to the poles. They were there. What difference did it make whether they were recently bought and bill of sale was produced? Carmen the owner in Madrid, said they were scam artists who confiscated stuff for themselves. I took it as, she respects the waste of a good knife and thought they were scoundrels. Led to a very informative conversation. I love these interactions.First of all: Thank goodness, this is about knives on trains in Spain and not about knives on planes in Europe!!!
Second thought: What surprises me about this story is the fact that the owner of the knife shop in Madrid was outraged. You'd think that this cannot come as a surprise for people in this trade.
I don't know the particularities of the law in Spain. I believe it says something along the lines that knives have to be packed away, ie not immediately available, and that you have to have a plausible reason for carrying them. Having bought them recently and taking them home immediately after purchase is a plausible and easy to check reason. And this comment is merely a feeble attempt to see some logic in what appears as completely illogical.
I avoid RENFE like the plague because of ongoing horrible experiences booking and in their trains.When you board RENFE there is a security X-ray checkpoint. Poles are no problem.
In Santiago, I had bought 2 small dining knives which were wrapped in their original packaging and that I bubble wrapped to my trekking poles and secured in my small duffel bag that gets checked on the plane for return flight to the US. In this duffel go some extras like gifts and this time 3 quesos de tetilla from the mercado de abastos, but, I digress. I was shocked when the knives were confiscated with much fanfare and drama. The sticking point , which I find insane, was that they would have allowed them to go through under 2 conditions if bought 24 prior to travel AND bill of sale/receipt was presented. Huh???? Still is completely illogical to me.
In Madrid, I replaced the knives at this wonderful storefront, Cuchillería Viñas, open since 1925 and now run by the owner’s daughter, on Calle de Atocha. Telling her of the RENFE tale, the elderly owner was visibly outraged at the knife confiscation and I quickly learned some new and highly visual, animated View attachment 121248and creative curses. I learn so much on every Camino. The Camino truly provides. Pictures of her store which is more like a big closet storefront. Worth a visit.
Maybe they were full up on replica Templar daggers?Interesting. I bought a replica Templar dagger in Toledo and had it in my carry-on bag on the train back to Madrid. No problem, even though it was pretty lethal looking.
I was planning on bringing my Swiss army knife. Will that be a problem now?When you board RENFE there is a security X-ray checkpoint. Poles are no problem.
In Santiago, I had bought 2 small dining knives which were wrapped in their original packaging and that I bubble wrapped to my trekking poles and secured in my small duffel bag that gets checked on the plane for return flight to the US. In this duffel go some extras like gifts and this time 3 quesos de tetilla from the mercado de abastos, but, I digress. I was shocked when the knives were confiscated with much fanfare and drama. The sticking point , which I find insane, was that they would have allowed them to go through under 2 conditions if bought 24 prior to travel AND bill of sale/receipt was presented. Huh???? Still is completely illogical to me.
In Madrid, I replaced the knives at this wonderful storefront, Cuchillería Viñas, open since 1925 and now run by the owner’s daughter, on Calle de Atocha. Telling her of the RENFE tale, the elderly owner was visibly outraged at the knife confiscation and I quickly learned some new and highly visual, animated View attachment 121248and creative curses. I learn so much on every Camino. The Camino truly provides. Pictures of her store which is more like a big closet storefront. Worth a visit.
I suspect that these shops will continue, while local people still use craft skills to repair or make their own clothes. There is a healthy make and repair ethos in both Spain and Portugal.Well, IMHO, a trip to that store in Madrid was probably worth the loss of the knives in Santiago. What a great place. Reminds me of the button shops and lace shops I’ve seen all around the Plaza Mayor. I always wonder how much longer can they possibly stay in business, fingers crossed!
They may have been distracted by my full Templar uniform. Chain mail is cold on chilly mornings.Maybe they were full up on replica Templar daggers?
Students of irony may like to consider that a knife secured in an item of luggage is subject to x-ray scrutiny and possible confiscation. The same in a trouser pocket is likely to be ignored.I was planning on bringing my Swiss army knife. Will that be a problem now?
I love those shops for sewing notions, found in many cities, and usually find a reason to go in - for example to buy a piece of elastic or fastener for something on my backpack. I enjoy the window shopping as well s practicing my Spanish in this ordinary practical way.Reminds me of the button shops and lace shops I’ve seen all around the Plaza Mayor. I always wonder how much longer can they possibly stay in business
Speaking of craft skills, I want to recommend (again) the YouTube videos of Eugenio Monesma, such as this one on handmade knives.I suspect that these shops will continue, while local people still use craft skills to repair or make their own clothes. There is a healthy make and repair ethos in both Spain and Portugal.
Possibly from psychological profiling of people (and their behaviour) who do knife attacks? Or, simply to allow for last-minute souvenir purchases by tourists. I'm not defending the policy at all - just trying to guess the rationale (faulty or not) behind it!But it is hard to figure out how knives become less dangerous if purchased within the last 24 hours and accompanied by a receipt.
I've always had a small Opinel knife in my pack for numerous train trips in Spain, and have never had it questioned or taken away. They very popular in Spain. They are cheap (cheaper than a Swiss army knife) too so not a huge loss if they did take it and easily replaced.I was planning on bringing my Swiss army knife. Will that be a problem now?
It may very well depend on who’s looking at the X-ray screen as well as the length. They wand your underarms and sides, no metal detector door like thing. I have a very old Swiss Army knife card, always in my waist pack, they either didn’t see it or didn’t interest them.I was planning on bringing my Swiss army knife. Will that be a problem now?
We always carry two sharp, but inexpensive paring knives with blade covers, basically for food prep. They are in our bags and have gone through the x ray machines at two different stations in Madrid at least 10 times and ours have never been flagged. Nor do I recall ever being wanded!? In September,the screener seemed half asleep. We put our stuff through and he never even got up from where he was sitting?I avoid RENFE like the plague because of ongoing horrible experiences booking and in their trains.
I have never had to go through a metal detector or security at ALSA or MONBUS, or local bus service in Santiago. Buen Camino!We are planning to take the ALSA bus, Madrid-Oviedo. Do they also have strict security also ? Thanks for any advice .
It may very well depend on who’s looking at the X-ray screen as well as the length. They wand your underarms and sides, no metal detector door like thing. I have a very old Swiss Army knife card, always in my waist pack, they either didn’t see it or didn’t interest them.
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