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These warnings are focused on your valuables - electronics, money, passport, etc. - which should always be within your sight, preferably attached to your body. Most people leave their backpacks with sleeping bags, clothes, etc., unattended in the albergue when they go out. Those items are less attractive to thieves and are easier to replace anyway. Although thefts from albergues are quite rare, they can happen. Don't bring and leave unattended any items of great value to you.alot of posts warn not to leave your stuff unattended
Thank you. Have travelled a bit so know not to leave important things anywhere. Was just curious how bad it may be and I did give thought to my pack being transfered. As long as they leave me a clean pair of socks & knickers, Ill cope.These warnings are focused on your valuables - electronics, money, passport, etc. - which should always be within your sight, preferably attached to your body. Most people leave their backpacks with sleeping bags, clothes, etc., unattended in the albergue when they go out. Those items are less attractive to thieves and are easier to replace anyway. Although thefts from albergues are quite rare, they can happen. Don't bring and leave unattended any items of great value to you.
Thanks very much. Appreciate itMost carry another small (purse sized) bag with the sad to lose or difficult to replace items. But of course that is very much a case of all your eggs in one basket, so watch it closely.
And if you are planning to have your bags transported, I would advise not leaving anything in them of value at all. I lost count of the times I saw bags lined up on the sidewalk without any oversight at all, just waiting for a pickup... by whomever.
Theft, overall, is not very common. "An ounce of protection" comes to mind when I think about it.
Oh I didnt know that, thanks. Im travelling solo so thinking of taking a small strap which I can lock, but maybe thats in the extreme.If you are traveling by long distance busses , be aware that your backpack will be stored in the underneath luggage compartment.
Arriving at a busstation, you sit and wait in the bus to continue to your destination , the compartments are unattended and widely opened in a public area.
so I allways go out the bus and attend my belongings from a distance.
it is not the first time that backpacks are stolen in this way Besides that with a hook I connect my wife’s backpack and mine to each other so it is a bit more hassle to get it stolen in a split second.
If you put a lock on it, that may signal that something valuable is inside.Oh I didnt know that, thanks. Im travelling solo so thinking of taking a small strap which I can lock, but maybe thats in the extreme.
Hi. I carry a small pack or squishable sack with me. When I leave an albergue I take my wallet, passport, phone and carry them with me. I even take that little sack to the shower when I am in an albergue. My assumption is that no one would really want my very well worn extra shirt, underwear or socks. And, if by some weird chance someone did steal that stuff, I would take that as a sign that I am ready for new. For me the issue is keeping wallet, phone, passport safe (and other things that you find critically important).Hi all.
Curious to know what others do with their packs when they arrive at the accommodation each night. Appears alit of places dont have a secure locker. Seeing as alot of posts warn not to leave your stuff unattended, wonderful what you do if you want to look around the town after checkin.
Im booked for my first 2 nights in SJPP before I walk, but theres no lockers. Obviously dont want to go out and have to worry about my pack. Im considering booking a private room somewhere, but will be costly. Any thoughts/suggestions are welcome. Thanks
...B.b.b.ut we are "Pilgrims on Camino with backpacks in Albergues", right? No need to mark me as a touristBum bags/fanny pack mark you as a tourist and are easy mark for pickpockets!
Keep valuables (passport/large bills/credit cards) in a money belt under your clothes. You can have a "disposable" wallet for convenience, but it should contain only with a small amount of cash.
-Paul
In the last few years waist packs have become quite fashionable!Bum bags/fanny pack mark you as a tourist and are easy mark for pickpockets!
Yep true, cheerdIf you put a lock on it, that may signal that something valuable is inside.
Bum bags/fanny pack mark you as a tourist and are easy mark for pickpockets!
I have said this before, but wearing a fanny pack has more serious problems than announcing loudly to the European world that you are an American. While I have seen pilgrims desperately running backwards up the Camino to retrieve a fanny pack they left on a hook in a toilet stall, I have never seen a pilgrim running backwards up the Camino to retrieve their pants.
People do not realize how their judgment is affected by long hours of walking. When you are physically tired, your brain is tired. If you do not want to leave your valuables behind, have them in your pants pockets. No matter how tired you get, you will remember not to resume walking in your underwear.
They should have left the fanny pack/bumbag/waist pack on while they were in the bathroom!I have said this before, but wearing a fanny pack has more serious problems than announcing loudly to the European world that you are an American. While I have seen pilgrims desperately running backwards up the Camino to retrieve a fanny pack they left on a hook in a toilet stall, I have never seen a pilgrim running backwards up the Camino to retrieve their pants.
Which brings up a good point when buying shorts or pants. Make sure you can fit your stuff in the pockets. Nothing worse than them being just too small to fit your phone or whatever.I have said this before, but wearing a fanny pack has more serious problems than announcing loudly to the European world that you are an American. While I have seen pilgrims desperately running backwards up the Camino to retrieve a fanny pack they left on a hook in a toilet stall, I have never seen a pilgrim running backwards up the Camino to retrieve their pants.
People do not realize how their judgment is affected by long hours of walking. When you are physically tired, your brain is tired. If you do not want to leave your valuables behind, have them in your pants pockets. No matter how tired you get, you will remember not to resume walking in your underwear.
Although I have heard of it happening, I have never had any problem with leaving my belongings unattended. I carry a cloth tote bag from Dublin airport to carry my wallet containing my credencial and passport. I used to carry them in my cargo pocket but in two days of rain my trousers got so wet my credencial got wet and the ink on a few stamps ran. I and many others have left their phones and power banks charging while unattended with no problem. In general, no pilgrim touches other pilgrims belongings but unfortunately there are unscrupulous people everywhere, even on the camino so always carry your two most important items. Your pilgrim passport and national passport. Your backpack and dirty laundry will be safe enough. The only incident I personally know off of a pack being stolen was in the movie.Hi all.
Curious to know what others do with their packs when they arrive at the accommodation each night. Appears alit of places dont have a secure locker. Seeing as alot of posts warn not to leave your stuff unattended, wonderful what you do if you want to look around the town after checkin.
Im booked for my first 2 nights in SJPP before I walk, but theres no lockers. Obviously dont want to go out and have to worry about my pack. Im considering booking a private room somewhere, but will be costly. Any thoughts/suggestions are welcome. Thanks
Left mine in the line outside albergue in Burgos more than once along with 50 or so others, never a problem apart from one German guy who moved packs so that he could insert his closer to the door. He had history of line jumping so we were all sitting at the bar opposite waiting to see what he would do.In The Way Martin Sheen's pack gets stolen while unattended outside a bar. I left my pack with others while getting coffee or food from a bar and didn't have a problem. Especially when others where doing the same and in small towns not the cities. I'm not sure if there have been incidents though.
You don't have to be a pilgrim to leave your stuff behind someplace...ahem...teenaged daughters...just hang your waist pouch on the door of the restroom, so you have to grab it to get out. Hand it from your knee at the table in a fast food joint or restaurant, so you can't get up without grabbing it.I have said this before, but wearing a fanny pack has more serious problems than announcing loudly to the European world that you are an American. While I have seen pilgrims desperately running backwards up the Camino to retrieve a fanny pack they left on a hook in a toilet stall, I have never seen a pilgrim running backwards up the Camino to retrieve their pants.
People do not realize how their judgment is affected by long hours of walking. When you are physically tired, your brain is tired. If you do not want to leave your valuables behind, have them in your pants pockets. No matter how tired you get, you will remember not to resume walking in your underwear.
You didn't have the credencial in a ziplock bag while in your pocket? I always put mine in something that will keep it dry, because not only will my waist pack maybe get rained on, the water bottle I carry may sweat all over the pouch in the bargain."I carry a cloth tote bag from Dublin airport to carry my wallet containing my credencial and passport. I used to carry them in my cargo pocket but in two days of rain my trousers got so wet my credencial got wet and the ink on a few stamps ran. "
Why not just leave it on your waist??Hand it from your knee at the table in a fast food joint or restaurant, so you can't get up without grabbing it.
To the best of my knowledge, I've never had my pockets picked. But there were definitely three attempts. I've never been mugged, either, but the few times I wore a money belt, I kept wondering whether reaching into my pants for it identified me as a target.Money belts should be put on with your underwear and you will never forget either of them!
Money belts are uncomfortable to wear. But that is nothing compared to the uncomfortable days spent at US embassy in Madrid, trying to get a replacement for a stolen passport and cancelling stolen credit cards. My vacation days are precious and waiting at an embassy is not a good use of my time.
Naw, it was my first camino and I hadnt the wit to check if my wallet was waterproof. Always used a plastic bag thereafter. Unfortunately, on one occasion, I had the price of the albergue in there also. when I got up from lunch to go pay, the coins had fallen out through a hole in the bottom. This pilgrim just cant win LOLYou didn't have the credencial in a ziplock bag while in your pocket? I always put mine in something that will keep it dry, because not only will my waist pack maybe get rained on, the water bottle I carry may sweat all over the pouch in the bargain.
Thank you, CW; they came in handy for me on a few occasions!I didn't have a fannypack at all while on Camino but boy-oh-boy the number of shampoo bottles I left in the showers....
They should have left the fanny pack/bumbag/waist pack on while they were in the bathroom!
Exactly! That is the purpose of a waist bag on the Camino. If a woman can use the bathroom without taking it off, surely a man can do the same.Why not just leave it on your waist??
As a woman, I find it extremely hard to find pants with adequate pockets--they are much shallower (and often fewer) than on men's pants. I had no problem using a waist pack, and when you are on the Camino, you are marked as "not from around here" no matter where you put your passport.People do not realize how their judgment is affected by long hours of walking. When you are physically tired, your brain is tired. If you do not want to leave your valuables behind, have them in your pants pockets. No matter how tired you get, you will remember to wear your pants in public.
I have watched a few YouTubes on pickpockets in order to help prepare myself, the pocket of your pants might not be the best option. I would recommend a waistband money belt or a fanny pack, but when you stop into any washrooms do not remove either, I cannot imagine that they would be an inconvenience while using the toilet. Certainly not as much inconvenience as losing all your valuables. Just my thoughts from watching YouTube which might be useful to you as well. Good luck.I have said this before, but wearing a fanny pack has more serious problems than announcing loudly to the European world that you are an American. While I have seen pilgrims desperately running backwards up the Camino to retrieve a fanny pack they left on a hook in a toilet stall, I have never seen a pilgrim running backwards up the Camino to retrieve their pants.
People do not realize how their judgment is affected by long hours of walking. When you are physically tired, your brain is tired. If you do not want to leave your valuables behind, have them in your pants pockets. No matter how tired you get, you will remember to wear your pants in public.
An apple air tag is handy if you plan to have your bag transported. Then you can carry a small pack with essentials and valuables with you. And you know exactly where your big pack is and you can follow it on your phone to your destination. I was really glad I had that air tag!Hi all.
Curious to know what others do with their packs when they arrive at the accommodation each night. Appears alit of places dont have a secure locker. Seeing as alot of posts warn not to leave your stuff unattended, wonderful what you do if you want to look around the town after checkin.
Im booked for my first 2 nights in SJPP before I walk, but theres no lockers. Obviously dont want to go out and have to worry about my pack. Im considering booking a private room somewhere, but will be costly. Any thoughts/suggestions are welcome. Thanks
I've never locked my pack up. I just leave it on my bed. Three Caminos and no one has taken anything. I just bring my wallet and passport with me, so there's nothing of real value. People are generally honest on the Camino, and if you obsess over whether someone will take your stuff, it sort of keeps you from achieving "Camino Enlightenment"... Don't bring anything too valuable and don't worry about it.Hi all.
Curious to know what others do with their packs when they arrive at the accommodation each night. Appears alit of places dont have a secure locker. Seeing as alot of posts warn not to leave your stuff unattended, wonderful what you do if you want to look around the town after checkin.
Im booked for my first 2 nights in SJPP before I walk, but theres no lockers. Obviously dont want to go out and have to worry about my pack. Im considering booking a private room somewhere, but will be costly. Any thoughts/suggestions are welcome. Thanks
Please do not leave it on the bed. One of the ways bedbugs find their way.I've never locked my pack up. I just leave it on my bed. Three Caminos and no one has taken anything. I just bring my wallet and passport with me, so there's nothing of real value. People are generally honest on the Camino, and if you obsess over whether someone will take your stuff, it sort of keeps you from achieving "Camino Enlightenment"... Don't bring anything too valuable and don't worry about it.
You did say it was Burgos? Maybe she'd seen the movie...So, that lady meant well I'm sure (she did nod and smile *mission accomplished, pilgrim/backpack saved* when I finally managed to squeeze myself out of there again and she saw me outside with the pack. So, thank you, but...
No pockets in my pants but I do have some in my trousers.As a woman, I find it extremely hard to find pants with adequate pockets--they are much shallower (and often fewer) than on men's pants. I had no problem using a waist pack, and when you are on the Camino, you are marked as "not from around here" no matter where you put your passport.
I always wonder, *who* would steal my backpack?
I carry a money belt inside my pants on the whole walk while carrying a pack the whole way, and it is not uncomfortable. All valuables are in moneybelt or in my pockets. Pack carries extra set of clothes, sleep sack, rain gear, toiletries, water, snacks. In the albergue with sleep sack laid out, wearing spare clothes with the others on the drying line, there isnt much left in my pack to steal. If I need I need a pack to run errands in town, I just use my Osprey Talon 33 llter that weights 2 lbs empty....may or may not leave toiletries on my bunk. Best no to overcomplicate things....B.b.b.ut we are "Pilgrims on Camino with backpacks in Albergues", right? No need to mark me as a tourist
I don't totally disagree with your statement although I've used the fannypack numerous times on my touristy trips (and actually used money belts as well). I think (and I strongly stress that its just my own musing on the subject) that having a money belt under your clothes and then perhaps have a backpack belt going on top of that would be uncomfortable - I know I would sweat a bucket and most likely cause myself some skin irrituation. A fannypack in that scenario would be better and more manageable
Besides - the issue here is what to do with your valuables when the backpack is dropped by your bunk and in that way - as many have pointed out - simply keep your valuables on yourself at all times no matter WHAT you put them into.
Are people putting packs on beds in albergues now?. I just leave it on my bed.
They not looking for your stinky clothes in your backpack! Thieves are looking for passport, cash and credit cards from people that they observe getting these items in an out of their backpack.
If you keep your valuable in a money belt under your clothes, you can easily replace a stolen backpack full of dirty clothes.
-Paul
In most places you will have a locker with a key. What I did in your case, was put my valuables in a pouch and took that with me to go into town. The backpack will be there when you get back.Hi all.
Curious to know what others do with their packs when they arrive at the accommodation each night. Appears alit of places dont have a secure locker. Seeing as alot of posts warn not to leave your stuff unattended, wonderful what you do if you want to look around the town after checkin.
Im booked for my first 2 nights in SJPP before I walk, but theres no lockers. Obviously dont want to go out and have to worry about my pack. Im considering booking a private room somewhere, but will be costly. Any thoughts/suggestions are welcome. Thanks
I bought a sea to summit "waterproof" passport neck wallet. Plan on keeping passport pilgrim passport and cash in it. Easy to access, safe from pick pockets and waterproof which makes it easy to take in shower stall and hang with an S hook.Naw, it was my first camino and I hadnt the wit to check if my wallet was waterproof. Always used a plastic bag thereafter. Unfortunately, on one occasion, I had the price of the albergue in there also. when I got up from lunch to go pay, the coins had fallen out through a hole in the bottom. This pilgrim just cant win LOL
Rather, you will know where it was the last time it was in Bluetooth range of a phone that had a data plan and was in range of a cell tower. For Christmas, I gave five of them to relatives and kept three for me and my wife. That's seven people that think it was a waste of money.An apple air tag is handy if you plan to have your bag transported. Then you can carry a small pack with essentials and valuables with you. And you know exactly where your big pack is and you can follow it on your phone to your destination. I was really glad I had that air tag!
I don't think the "no backpacks on beds" rule is solely about bed bugs. It's about cleanliness - many people set their backpacks on the ground occasionally, and dirt can transfer to the bed if the backpack is set on it.Can someone explain why bedbugs are more likely to crawl out of your backpack if it is lying on an unoccupied mattress than if it is leaning on an unoccupied bed?
This makes more sense. Like not putting your boots on the mattress because, well, they're boots!I don't think the "no backpacks on beds" rule is solely about bed bugs. It's about cleanliness - many people set their backpacks on the ground occasionally, and dirt can transfer to the bed if the backpack is set on it.
In addition to what trecile wrote, I'm no expert here but it may be that people lying on beds leave things (chemical odours, skin flakes, etc.) that are more likely to attract bed bugs out of a backpack than a metal bed post.Can someone explain why bedbugs are more likely to crawl out of your backpack if it is lying on an unoccupied mattress than if it is leaning on an unoccupied bed?
In our albergue, that was how they claimed a particular bed.Are people putting packs on beds in albergues now?Yuck. Please never do that.
Don’t do what “they” do. Claim your bed by putting your sleep sack or other clean gear on it. Always hang pack from bedpost, wall hook or put in locker. Never floor or bed.In our albergue, that was how they claimed a particular bed.
Why on earth are you accessing it in public? That's an absolute no-go , it negates the main reason for wearing it. Your days cash requirements, and your debit or main credit card and an ID ( Photo drivers licence is generally accepted) are somewhere accessible - zipped pocket, bum bag, etc - your cash stash, passport and second card are in the money belt. Accessed only in private. And I've worn mine for 35 years , under the belt of my Backpack - adjusted properly I literally forget I'm wearing it.To the best of my knowledge, I've never had my pockets picked. But there were definitely three attempts. I've never been mugged, either, but the few times I wore a money belt, I kept wondering whether reaching into my pants for it identified me as a target.
Yes! This!Money belts should be put on with your underwear and you will never forget either of them!
Money belts are uncomfortable to wear. But that is nothing compared to the uncomfortable days spent at US embassy in Madrid, trying to get a replacement for a stolen passport and cancelling stolen credit cards. My vacation days are precious and waiting at an embassy is not a good use of my time.
-Paul
More and more recently, and perhaps more in France than Spain, hosts insist on backpacks being stored separately in big plastic bins or garbage bags, away from the sleeping areas. This initiative was introduced to prevent bedbug infestations, I believe, but it's sensible and cleaner in any case.Don’t do what “they” do. Claim your bed by putting your sleep sack or other clean gear on it. Always hang pack from bedpost, wall hook or put in locker. Never floor or bed.
Where did they leave the money that made it so easy to steal?Sharing this with permission from my friend who is currently walking CF. Incident of theft. This two poor fellows lost €1400 and $1000 respectively. This happened last week in Carrion de los Condes. So, carry a small pouch, always keep your wallet, phones, passport, close to you, no matter where you go, even during shower, hold on to it whn you sleep.
I wondered that too. And also why they were carrying quite so much cash?Where did they leave the money that made it so easy to steal?
I wondered that too. And also why they were carrying quite so much cash?
Whn they took their shower and did their laundry.Where did they leave the money that made it so easy to steal?
So that illustrates the common sense advice that has consistently been given here - always keep your valuables close to your body, out of sight of others, even in the albergues. Do not assume that your new "friends" and everyone in the albergue are there for good reasons. Theft happens rarely, but it does happen.Whn they took their shower and did their laundry.
While I understand your position, we (staff and albergue owners) did not feel it worthwhile to demand that. But our mattresses had plastic cases, and the sheets were changed every morning. And we had no wall hooks or lockers. Bedposts were a possibility.Don’t do what “they” do. Claim your bed by putting your sleep sack or other clean gear on it. Always hang pack from bedpost, wall hook or put in locker. Never floor or bed.
So, instead of accessing it in the store, I should do it out on the street ?!? I keep anything I don't want to lose (which includes ID and cards) not only easy for me to reach, but also where I will know if a thief tries to grab it.Why on earth are you accessing it in public? That's an absolute no-go , it negates the main reason for wearing it. Your days cash requirements, and your debit or main credit card and an ID ( Photo drivers licence is generally accepted) are somewhere accessible - zipped pocket, bum bag, etc - your cash stash, passport and second card are in the money belt. Accessed only in private. And I've worn mine for 35 years , under the belt of my Backpack - adjusted properly I literally forget I'm wearing it.
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