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Great things to know, I will start my 1st Camino on the May,27th. I will look for the eucalyptus trees as I may need itI'm guessing that every peregrino finds out at least one thing along the way that they found really useful but no-one had told them before - and maybe would like to share them here. I'm talking about the odd bits of info/best kept secrets/things that never make the guide books but made a big difference as you walked/cycled/rode...
Two from me to start, both of which I found out for myself and which I thought straight away 'other people might like to know this':
- eucalyptus trees are cool. As in actually, physically, really cool, even on the hottest day, especially the young, smooth ones. And the north side of the tree is even cooler than the south side. So on a hot day when you just want to cool down, hold your hand, or your face, against the bark of a eucalyptus (they are everywhere on the Ingles - apologies if they are not around on other routes!). For the very best effect hold the inside of your wrists (your pulse points) against the bark. You'll be amazed at how much effect it has.
- the Hospederia San Martin Pinero, straight across the square from the (south?) entrance to the cathedral in SdC, quite apart from being (apparently) the oldest hotel in the world, does a fantastic 3 course evening meal for 10 euros per head including bottled water AND wine. Really simple, delicious food (only two choices per course), in a huge room full of other pilgrims, in the best tradition of Benedictine hospitality. They also do a brilliant all-you-can-eat breakfast at 5 euros a head, and lunch (didn't find out how much that was). AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE STAYING AT THE HOTEL TO EAT THERE! By far the best meals we had in our 2 days in the city, and felt so much more appropriate than eating in one of the touristy cafés. Lovely staff too (they deserve their own Compostelas just for the miles they must do up & down the dining room of an evening!)
It's great to get a good night's sleep, it truly is. However, when I hear someone praising the quality of some particular ear plugs, I can't help but recall what a mischievous forum member said about getting a really good night's sleep in an albergue ........That if there was an emergency and the albergue had to be evacuated, he hoped that someone would invite him to come along.Wax earplugs are amazing!
It's great to get a good night's sleep, it truly is. However, when I hear someone praising the quality of some particular ear plugs, I can help but recall what a mischievous forum member said about getting a really good night's sleep in an albergue ........That if there was an emergency and the albergue had to be evacuated, he hoped that someone would invite him to come along.
I'm guessing that every peregrino finds out at least one thing along the way that they found really useful but no-one had told them before - and maybe would like to share them here. I'm talking about the odd bits of info/best kept secrets/things that never make the guide books but made a big difference as you walked/cycled/rode...
Two from me to start, both of which I found out for myself and which I thought straight away 'other people might like to know this':
- eucalyptus trees are cool. As in actually, physically, really cool, even on the hottest day, especially the young, smooth ones. And the north side of the tree is even cooler than the south side. So on a hot day when you just want to cool down, hold your hand, or your face, against the bark of a eucalyptus (they are everywhere on the Ingles - apologies if they are not around on other routes!). For the very best effect hold the inside of your wrists (your pulse points) against the bark. You'll be amazed at how much effect it has.
- the Hospederia San Martin Pinero, straight across the square from the (south?) entrance to the cathedral in SdC, quite apart from being (apparently) the oldest hotel in the world, does a fantastic 3 course evening meal for 10 euros per head including bottled water AND wine. Really simple, delicious food (only two choices per course), in a huge room full of other pilgrims, in the best tradition of Benedictine hospitality. They also do a brilliant all-you-can-eat breakfast at 5 euros a head, and lunch (didn't find out how much that was). AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE STAYING AT THE HOTEL TO EAT THERE! By far the best meals we had in our 2 days in the city, and felt so much more appropriate than eating in one of the touristy cafés. Lovely staff too (they deserve their own Compostelas just for the miles they must do up & down the dining room of an evening!)
We paid 12euros per person for lunch at the Hospederia.I'm guessing that every peregrino finds out at least one thing along the way that they found really useful but no-one had told them before - and maybe would like to share them here. I'm talking about the odd bits of info/best kept secrets/things that never make the guide books but made a big difference as you walked/cycled/rode...
Two from me to start, both of which I found out for myself and which I thought straight away 'other people might like to know this':
- eucalyptus trees are cool. As in actually, physically, really cool, even on the hottest day, especially the young, smooth ones. And the north side of the tree is even cooler than the south side. So on a hot day when you just want to cool down, hold your hand, or your face, against the bark of a eucalyptus (they are everywhere on the Ingles - apologies if they are not around on other routes!). For the very best effect hold the inside of your wrists (your pulse points) against the bark. You'll be amazed at how much effect it has.
- the Hospederia San Martin Pinero, straight across the square from the (south?) entrance to the cathedral in SdC, quite apart from being (apparently) the oldest hotel in the world, does a fantastic 3 course evening meal for 10 euros per head including bottled water AND wine. Really simple, delicious food (only two choices per course), in a huge room full of other pilgrims, in the best tradition of Benedictine hospitality. They also do a brilliant all-you-can-eat breakfast at 5 euros a head, and lunch (didn't find out how much that was). AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE STAYING AT THE HOTEL TO EAT THERE! By far the best meals we had in our 2 days in the city, and felt so much more appropriate than eating in one of the touristy cafés. Lovely staff too (they deserve their own Compostelas just for the miles they must do up & down the dining room of an evening!)
Agree with pulpo and vino wholeheartedly but "patas bravas" (= pins) would give me really hard time...pulpo (octopus), patas bravas and vino tinto!
Agree completely, only that you should try to sleep during the night not in the afternoon after starting at 4AM and finishing at 11AM.Get as much sleep as possible
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