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Right on, Alex. Spain is a very civilised country in Europe.Spain is a civilised country in Europe.
I'd love to cut/paste this into my Facebook Camino planning group . . . it is so right on!As a 12-year repeat pilgrim, I read many posts here about, preps, anxieties, bed reservations, and so on. The simple fact is (and I am talking about the Camino Frances, wich I recommend for all first-timers):
You have to find your way to a starting point. Pamplona is an easy choice. Saint Jean pied de Port is only a starting point if you want to cross a mountain (Not an official starting point). You can start wherever.
Buying poles & other stuff at home is not needed: Everything you need is easily available in Spain at a fraction of your local price, and most likely at a better quality., wherever you are: Spain is a civilised country in Europe. We have everythng you need.
Pack light in order to save your back, and buy what you miss, in Spain, based on your needs. Do not carry much.
You are not embarking into the wild: You are walking through landscapes, ancient history, and villages/cities that were full of life centuries before Columubus "discovered" America. You will soon find that you have arrived in a civilised world.
Do others have recommendations for local outdoor equipment shops in smaller towns along the Frances?
There are several Planeta Agua locations on the Camino, in Zubiri, Puente la Reina, Viana, and Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
For walking poles and all outdoor equipment this is a great place in Sarria--
http://www.peregrinoteca.com/tienda/
That's a good shop. Lot's of stuff. It's located to the right, just before you go up the big stairway in Sarria.
Be my guest.I'd love to cut/paste this into my Facebook Camino planning group . . . it is so right on!
Thank you and could someone specifically discuss trekking poles. Should I try and bring them with me, which would mean that I'd have to check a bag at the airport from the USA, or buy them there at my starting point (SJPP)? Will I be able to get good quality at a fair price in SJPP?As a 12-year repeat pilgrim, I read many posts here about, preps, anxieties, bed reservations, and so on. The simple fact is (and I am talking about the Camino Frances, wich I recommend for all first-timers):
You have to find your way to a starting point. Pamplona is an easy choice. Saint Jean pied de Port is only a starting point if you want to cross a mountain (Not an official starting point). You can start wherever.
Buying poles & other stuff at home is not needed: Everything you need is easily available in Spain at a fraction of your local price, and most likely at a better quality., wherever you are: Spain is a civilised country in Europe. We have everythng you need.
Pack light in order to save your back, and buy what you miss, in Spain, based on your needs. Do not carry much.
You are not embarking into the wild: You are walking through landscapes, ancient history, and villages/cities that were full of life centuries before Columubus "discovered" America. You will soon find that you have arrived in a civilised world.
Yes.Will I be able to get good quality at a fair price in SJPP?
Congrats on so many caminos!! For me the great thing about deciding to do a camino was it pushed me so far outside my comfort zone. Especially if you are doing it alone. I remember being so concerned that I would become lost.As a 12-year repeat pilgrim, I read many posts here about, preps, anxieties, bed reservations, and so on. The simple fact is (and I am talking about the Camino Frances, wich I recommend for all first-timers):
You have to find your way to a starting point. Pamplona is an easy choice. Saint Jean pied de Port is only a starting point if you want to cross a mountain (Not an official starting point). You can start wherever.
Buying poles & other stuff at home is not needed: Everything you need is easily available in Spain at a fraction of your local price, and most likely at a better quality., wherever you are: Spain is a civilised country in Europe. We have everythng you need.
Pack light in order to save your back, and buy what you miss, in Spain, based on your needs. Do not carry much.
You are not embarking into the wild: You are walking through landscapes, ancient history, and villages/cities that were full of life centuries before Columubus "discovered" America. You will soon find that you have arrived in a civilised world.
I was able to carry on my trecking poles because I had put them in a tube container. That was from lax to Madrid. I like bringing the poles as I didn't want to spend alot of time finding a good pair once I landed though I'm sure you could find a decent pair.Thank you and could someone specifically discuss trekking poles. Should I try and bring them with me, which would mean that I'd have to check a bag at the airport from the USA, or buy them there at my starting point (SJPP)? Will I be able to get good quality at a fair price in SJPP?
I ordered my Altus poncho from them and they held it till I arrived to pick it up. I made my purchase and thought all was done. Then the next morning I got an email from them stating that the cashier mistakenly charged me the in store price, not the cheaper online price. So I went there in the morning and they happily gave me the difference in Euros. I thought that was awesome service as I would never have know that I paid a higher price if the owner didn't email me. Koodos to them and I'd definitely give them my service again!Yes.
Go to the Boutique du Pelerin in SJPP. They have a webpage and would likely be willing to hold the for you if you know what you want and they have them in stock.
It looks like they will do a special order for you:
And then one day you realize that the Camino is your comfort zone!Congrats on so many caminos!! For me the great thing about deciding to do a camino was it pushed me so far outside my comfort zone.
I as well.I'd definitely give them my service again
Very wisely said. A wise footballplayer from The Nederlands, Johan Cruyff, said, about many things in life: " You don't see it until you see it".And then one day you realize that the Camino is your comfort zone!
Of course. What I decided before my first Camino was that if I realized that it wasn't for me, then I would just spend the rest of my time in Spain on a beach. 🏖But it will maybe not be like that for firsttimers
I occasiinally encountered helpful locals on my Caminos who offered directional help even before we realized we were veering a bit off course when going through a village or city. They were usually older and sitting in upstairs windows watching the world go by. They would smile, shout out and point us in the right directionAs I walked by with my back pack obviously a pilgrim and an older gentleman came up to me in beautiful Spanish and explained how not to mis the trail at the end of town. I explained to him respectfully "no habla espanol senor" this statement didn't not deter him in fact he spoke faster and with more zeal. I loved that senor because he made me feel so welcome and cared for. I thought what a privilege to walk across this wonderful country.
I ordered my Altus poncho from them and they held it till I arrived to pick it up. I made my purchase and thought all was done. Then the next morning I got an email from them stating that the cashier mistakenly charged me the in store price, not the cheaper online price. So I went there in the morning and they happily gave me the difference in Euros. I thought that was awesome service as I would never have know that I paid a higher price if the owner didn't email me. Koodos to them and I'd definitely give them my service again!
What would we do without our precious duck tape. Someone told me a good hack is to wrap some duct take on your tracking poles. It takes up no space and you always have a little for the inevitable repair that needs mending. Well done buen caminoI went on a zany search in a remote part of the Camino for duck tape to fix my sandal. I found out, finally, from a guy repairing a roof in a small town that it is called "Cinta Americana" in Spain. So glad I didn't know that to begin with, because I wouldn't have experienced the journey to find it.
Definitely was a great way to start the CaminoOh my I'm not used to service like that wow. I bet that made your day.great story!
Typical. Honest and friendly people of Spain. Not like many other countries, where money comes first...I ordered my Altus poncho from them and they held it till I arrived to pick it up. I made my purchase and thought all was done. Then the next morning I got an email from them stating that the cashier mistakenly charged me the in store price, not the cheaper online price. So I went there in the morning and they happily gave me the difference in Euros. I thought that was awesome service as I would never have know that I paid a higher price if the owner didn't email me. Koodos to them and I'd definitely give them my service again!
Bonjour Annie, can you let me know via PM if you prefer the name of ur FB camino planning group?I'd love to cut/paste this into my Facebook Camino planning group . . . it is so right on!
Could it have been your honest, open face? Or your rather unique walking outfit?I as well.
I needed to go to the Post Office and one of the folks at Direction Compostelle needed to go so offerred to show me there. When I got to the desk and was in the middle of paying, I realized I did not have enough cash on me. She loaned me quiteca lot of money, trusting me to go back to the shop and repay her. Of course I did, but how was she to know that I would?
I started doing exactly that after my adventure searching for it.What would we do without our precious duck tape. Someone told me a good hack is to wrap some duct take on your tracking poles. It takes up no space and you always have a little for the inevitable repair that needs mending. Well done buen camino
Hear hear. What is needed is advice on where to buy. I came through Madrid on my first trip in 2016 and a large store there whose name I forget had everything I brought with me. !! Next time - if ever click and collect?As a 12-year repeat pilgrim, I read many posts here about, preps, anxieties, bed reservations, and so on. The simple fact is (and I am talking about the Camino Frances, wich I recommend for all first-timers):
You have to find your way to a starting point. Pamplona is an easy choice. Saint Jean pied de Port is only a starting point if you want to cross a mountain (Not an official starting point). You can start wherever.
Buying poles & other stuff at home is not needed: Everything you need is easily available in Spain at a fraction of your local price, and most likely at a better quality., wherever you are: Spain is a civilised country in Europe. We have everythng you need.
Pack light in order to save your back, and buy what you miss, in Spain, based on your needs. Do not carry much.
You are not embarking into the wild: You are walking through landscapes, ancient history, and villages/cities that were full of life centuries before Columubus "discovered" America. You will soon find that you have arrived in a civilised world.
This is not about Spain or the Camino, but your story reminded me of the time in Mexico I bought a bottle of wine in a little shop and asked the clerk (the only worker there) if he had a bottle opener. He said, "No, but wait here," and left me alone in the wine shop while he disappeared a few blocks away to a bar and borrowed one for me.I as well.
I needed to go to the Post Office and one of the folks at Direction Compostelle needed to go so offerred to show me there. When I got to the desk and was in the middle of paying, I realized I did not have enough cash on me. She loaned me quiteca lot of money, trusting me to go back to the shop and repay her. Of course I did, but how was she to know that I would?
Decathlon?Hear hear. What is needed is advice on where to buy. I came through Madrid on my first trip in 2016 and a large store there whose name I forget had everything I brought with me. !! Next time - if ever click and collect?
This and other anecdotes regarding Direction Compostelle (aka Boutique du Pèlerins) sums up the owners Pierre and Nadia to a tee! They are knowledgeable pilgrims, helpful, kind and generous. In my mind they embody the Camino spirit.I ordered my Altus poncho from them and they held it till I arrived to pick it up. I made my purchase and thought all was done. Then the next morning I got an email from them stating that the cashier mistakenly charged me the in store price, not the cheaper online price. So I went there in the morning and they happily gave me the difference in Euros. I thought that was awesome service as I would never have know that I paid a higher price if the owner didn't email me. Koodos to them and I'd definitely give them my service again!
This shop is in France / Basque Country - in SJPP. And yes, honest and friendly. And kind and generous!Typical. Honest and friendly people of Spain. Not like many other countries, where money comes first...
As a further note: If you try to/can speak a little Spanish, they will love you. I cannot say how a month's worth of intense Spanish school has helped me in Spain. I just love to be able to communicate with the people, however the little I can. It is SO rewarding, being treated like a friend of the country. Which I am of course,
So very true for me too, Jenny! A beautiful town with good memories, and walking the city walls was one of the highlights for me.And I have vivid memories of all my Pyrenees crossings from there to Roncesvalles, whether by route Napoleon or Valcaros. If you have the time - my humble opinion is that SJPP is well worth a visit.
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