Weird & wacky vending machine finds

[Tassie Kaz]

I'm currently reading @Tim Greig 's informative & entertaining VF blog. He includes photos of what can only be described as giant vending machines dispensing such things as baguettes, hot pizza, bags of potatoes (not chips!) & cartons of eggs. Thinking of my own coin-operated encounters, it would be fun to read the vending machine wonders we've found roadside/trailside.
I'll start the ball rolling...

Japan...ruler of vending machine lands;

• hot & cold drinks from the one machine
• cream puffs/profiteroles in a can
• 40 different drinks but BYO cup! Just squirts liquid...a token effort to reduce waste I suspect
• an old but still working machine in the middle of nowhere containing mysterious unmarked packages where size clearly mattered (no...not THAT...) A local seeing my puzzlement proceeded to take off his gumboot to demonstrate the machine contents...innersoles!

What have you discovered?

 

[trecile]

came across an old but still working machine in the middle of nowhere containing mysterious unmarked packages where size clearly mattered (no...not THAT...)

On the Camino I saw vending machines that did contain that!

 

[mspath]

Kazrobbo's delight discovering Japanese machine logic is similar to mine half a lifetime ago hiking alone on Hokkaido. Knowing no Japanese I could only order and eat what I saw. Sweets were almost impossible to find but containers of chocolate milk were often sold from small self-service kiosks which resembled post boxes. Thus I happily 'had a few too many' chocolate milks every day!

 

[Ellen the Pesto]

Not too long ago I saw a machine in an airport selling underpants and undershirts and socks. Maybe that was Boston?
In my youth, in Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA, there were vending machines for half - gallons of milk on the porch of the insurance company. There were no late night shops in that town and goodness knows that if you run out of milk you can't have coffee and that would ruin your morning for sure!

 

[Deleted member 67185]

 

[Tassie Kaz]

Not too long ago I saw a machine in an airport selling underpants and undershirts and socks. Maybe that was Boston?
In my youth, in Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA, there were vending machines for half - gallons of milk on the porch of the insurance company. There were no late night shops in that town and goodness knows that if you run out of milk you can't have coffee and that would ruin your morning for sure!

Enterprising people! We've all run out of milk...& realised at the airport we've forgotten to pack 'essentials'.

 

[Tassie Kaz]

A vending machine bonus 'Gift'...!!

 

[Prentiss Riddle]

How about the vending machine for souvenir glasses at the wine fountain in Irache?

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

A vending machine bonus 'Gift'...!!View attachment 52698

Brilliant .

 

[Tassie Kaz]

How about the vending machine for souvenir glasses at the wine fountain in Irache?

Now that wasn't there when I walked the CF in 2012! Not a very practical souvenir for walkers...unless it was 'plastic glass'

 

[t2andreo]

Still not very practical...produces waste... Waste has to go somewhere. Did they also provide a trash bin nearby?

 

[Davey Boyd]

Still not very practical...produces waste... Waste has to go somewhere. Did they also provide a trash bin nearby?

Yeah, there is a trash bin there (at Irache), the machine sells snacks too.

My vending machine suprise was at Barbadelo. I arrived in the pouring rain, when I put my money in the machine it electrocuted me. Blew me off my feet. The albergue owner didn't believe me! Ive been wary of vending machines in the open when it is raining ever since!

 

[t2andreo]

Bet you had a bad hair day after that! Yikes! That is indeed scary.

Glad to know the winery owners are being somewhat socially responsible by placing a trash bin nearby. I say that, only because not all pilgrims can hold their wine, even small amounts...

On previous trips past Irache, I have seen some college aged folks go berserk when confronted with FREE wine. I just smile and walk on... Life is too short to drink substandard wine, even if it is free.

Thank you for the information.

 

[babylon2505]

Somewhere on the CF I saw condoms next to the packages of gum in the vending machines.!

 

[gloria lowe]

Beer

 

[DebR]

I'm currently reading @Tim Greig 's informative & entertaining VF blog. He includes photos of what can only be described as giant vending machines dispensing such things as baguettes, hot pizza, bags of potatoes (not chips!) & cartons of eggs. Thinking of my own coin-operated encounters, it would be fun to read the vending machine wonders we've found roadside/trailside.
I'll start the ball rolling...

Japan...ruler of vending machine lands;

• hot & cold drinks from the one machine
• cream puffs/profiteroles in a can
• 40 different drinks but BYO cup! Just squirts liquid...a token effort to reduce waste I suspect
• an old but still working machine in the middle of nowhere containing mysterious unmarked packages where size clearly mattered (no...not THAT...) A local seeing my puzzlement proceeded to take off his gumboot to demonstrate the machine contents...innersoles!

What have you discovered?

Leaving Pamplona for Cizur Menor late last September I passed a vending machine sitting in full sun, selling charcuterie products: jamon, queso etc. Momentarily odd, but in an “oh, okay...” kind of way.

 

[bernhugo]

With regard to Babylon 2505's post regarding a condom machine.
I saw one in England where someone had written the following message:-
Worst bloody chewing gum I've ever tasted.

 

[NorthernLight]

Library books in a vending machine in a shopping mall. Library card serves as the 'coinage'.

I liked the pop vending machine in the woods between Samos and the northern path. It was connected by a very long extention cord to a house.

 

[KJFSophie]

All over Italy we saw vending machines with condoms in them attached to various pharmacies. I could not imagine the integrity of the product after baking in the sun...dunno.

 

[Tassie Kaz]

Yeah, there is a trash bin there (at Irache), the machine sells snacks too.

My vending machine suprise was at Barbadelo. I arrived in the pouring rain, when I put my money in the machine it electrocuted me. Blew me off my feet. The albergue owner didn't believe me! Ive been wary of vending machines in the open when it is raining ever since!

Yikes!

 

[Tassie Kaz]

Leaving Pamplona for Cizur Menor late last September I passed a vending machine sitting in full sun, selling charcuterie products: jamon, queso etc. Momentarily odd, but in an “oh, okay...” kind of way.

A potential gastro gamble most walkers probably wouldn't take when paired with the lack of public conveniences on the CF!

 

[elleley]

I'm currently reading @Tim Greig 's informative & entertaining VF blog. He includes photos of what can only be described as giant vending machines dispensing such things as baguettes, hot pizza, bags of potatoes (not chips!) & cartons of eggs. Thinking of my own coin-operated encounters, it would be fun to read the vending machine wonders we've found roadside/trailside.
I'll start the ball rolling...

Japan...ruler of vending machine lands;

• hot & cold drinks from the one machine
• cream puffs/profiteroles in a can
• 40 different drinks but BYO cup! Just squirts liquid...a token effort to reduce waste I suspect
• an old but still working machine in the middle of nowhere containing mysterious unmarked packages where size clearly mattered (no...not THAT...) A local seeing my puzzlement proceeded to take off his gumboot to demonstrate the machine contents...innersoles!

What have you discovered?

This is one of my favorites as far as weird vending....grilled cheese in Arzúa.

 

[Tassie Kaz]

This is one of my favorites as far as weird vending....grilled cheese in Arzúa.

Eeuww! Did you try it? Could put you off an old favourite for life.
Good spotting!

 

[Davey Boyd]

With regard to Babylon 2505's post regarding a condom machine.
I saw one in England where someone had written the following message:-
Worst bloody chewing gum I've ever tasted.

I saw a condom machine in England with the graffiti "Insert baby for refund"!

 

[HeidiL]

The Carboneras nuns in Madrid sell sweets through a very old-fashioned vending machine...

 

[Kanga]

The Carboneras nuns in Madrid sell sweets through a very old-fashioned vending machine...

You can find the same thing at the Monastery of Santa Clara outside Castrojeriz. Nothing nicer than spending the night in the basic albergue at San Anton, then walking across the fields in the early morning via the short cut to the monastery, attending the service (with divine singing by the nuns), then buying some goodies through the revolving wooden door vending machine....

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Somewhere on the CF I saw condoms next to the packages of gum in the vending machines.!

Thought that gum tasted weird!

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Many years ago in Canada - live worms in tubs outside of a fishing tackle/outdoor supply store.

 

[timr]

I'm currently reading @Tim Greig 's informative & entertaining VF blog. He includes photos of what can only be described as giant vending machines dispensing such things as baguettes, hot pizza, bags of potatoes (not chips!) & cartons of eggs. Thinking of my own coin-operated encounters, it would be fun to read the vending machine wonders we've found roadside/trailside.
I'll start the ball rolling...

Japan...ruler of vending machine lands;

• hot & cold drinks from the one machine
• cream puffs/profiteroles in a can
• 40 different drinks but BYO cup! Just squirts liquid...a token effort to reduce waste I suspect
• an old but still working machine in the middle of nowhere containing mysterious unmarked packages where size clearly mattered (no...not THAT...) A local seeing my puzzlement proceeded to take off his gumboot to demonstrate the machine contents...innersoles!

What have you discovered?

@kazrobbo @Tim Greig I think I took a photo of every vending machine between Canterbury and Rome - doesn't everybody???? Truly weird and wonderful. All of the things mentioned already I think I saw, including live fishing bait, but that was south of Rome. And easy to see why people might need milk, eggs, bread, vegetables, cheese, and various paramedical items(!). But my favourite I think was this in Lausanne, within the city centre. You just never know when you will get the urge to eat beef tartare.....

 

[Deleted member 73526]

Freshly baked baguette vending machine allows me to make this pun: 自動パン売機

Une machine qui cuit et vend du pain jour et nuit remporte le Concours Lépine

Elle a été pensée et développée par Jean-Louis Hecht, un boulanger-inventeur de Moselle.

www.francetvinfo.fr

 

[Mark Day]

 

[Fletchonides]

There is a vending machine in Flanders, Belgium that sells loaves of bread. The title of the machine is "Pain Night & Day", a bizarre mix of French and English in an otherwise insistently Dutch/Flemish speaking area.

 

[natefaith]

This last trip to the US, we went to a bunch of outlet malls. We saw vending machines selling Tylenol, Ibuprofen, diapers, wipes, Immodium AD, etc...anything to keep the intrepid shopper going! Maybe these kinds of vending machines have been around for a while, but we hadn't been back in a couple years so I was so surprised to see these (but not really).

 

[nidarosa]

In Santo Domingo de la Calzada there are ... interesting vending machines that sell everything.

 

[Kev]

Vending machine complex entering Pontevedra, selling all sort of items including condoms, personal lubricants, and both pleasure devices for couples and those going it alone...
Pictures NOT attached.

 

[Tassie Kaz]

@kazrobbo @Tim Greig I think I took a photo of every vending machine between Canterbury and Rome - doesn't everybody???? Truly weird and wonderful. All of the things mentioned already I think I saw, including live fishing bait, but that was south of Rome. And easy to see why people might need milk, eggs, bread, vegetables, cheese, and various paramedical items(!). But my favourite I think was this in Lausanne, within the city centre. You just never know when you will get the urge to eat beef tartare.....

View attachment 52771

Raw meat from a vending machine ...anywhere else but Switzerland & you wouldn't even dare to try it... Did you by the way?

 

[Tassie Kaz]

View attachment 52774

Oh my goodness...& quite a number of items sold out...

 

[Tassie Kaz]

In Santo Domingo de la Calzada there are ... interesting vending machines that sell everything.

One stop shopping for sure...I even see a Camino patch in there!

 

[Vacajoe]

That vending machine in Santo Domingo was right by the front door of one of the few private hotels we stayed at during our Camino - made my wife wonder what kind of cheap place I had found, but it actually was a nice place. I think the vending machine was frequented by patrons from the questionable bar across the street rather than exhausted pilgrims, but who knows. It definitely had everything you’d need for a night of “partying” or to start your own security firm (handcuffs, blindfolds, etc...). Definitely worth a few photos....

As for the vending machine product superiority, though, nowhere beats Japan! Blue jeans, 5 liter beer cans, hot soup, “used” schoolgirl underwear(!), and on and on...

 

[Jenna12213]

I'm currently reading @Tim Greig 's informative & entertaining VF blog. He includes photos of what can only be described as giant vending machines dispensing such things as baguettes, hot pizza, bags of potatoes (not chips!) & cartons of eggs. Thinking of my own coin-operated encounters, it would be fun to read the vending machine wonders we've found roadside/trailside.
I'll start the ball rolling...

Japan...ruler of vending machine lands;

• hot & cold drinks from the one machine
• cream puffs/profiteroles in a can
• 40 different drinks but BYO cup! Just squirts liquid...a token effort to reduce waste I suspect
• an old but still working machine in the middle of nowhere containing mysterious unmarked packages where size clearly mattered (no...not THAT...) A local seeing my puzzlement proceeded to take off his gumboot to demonstrate the machine contents...innersoles!

What have you discovered?

We discovered condoms, lubricant and various toys. Two rows down, well your standard chips and pop.

 

[alaskadiver]

As you leave the the train station in Oviedo, right outside the cafe, there’s a vending machine with tampons, an assortment of condoms, gum, lubricant...we laughed so hard I forgot to take a picture. The Primitivo route was on the sidewalk right outside. The whole thing was just funny.

 

[DebR]

A potential gastro gamble most walkers probably wouldn't take when paired with the lack of public conveniences on the CF!

I assumed it was refrigerated...but wasn’t game to chance it!

 

[Harland2019]

In Dubai I saw a "vending" machine that sold/dispensed gold bars in various weights. It needed a debit card to make it work and not cash! Decided on Coca Cola instead!

 

[Moorwalker]

With regard to Babylon 2505's post regarding a condom machine.
I saw one in England where someone had written the following message:-
Worst bloody chewing gum I've ever tasted.

Whereas our office machine acquired a sign saying "Win a coffee, 50p a try" since it dispensed tea, coffee, chocolate or a strange mixture at random no matter which button you pushed.

I think the strangest place for vending machines is Japan, you can buy almost anything from a machine there. Although the energy drink called Pocari Sweat always has tourists laughing.

 

[ISABEL linares]

Yeah, there is a trash bin there (at Irache), the machine sells snacks too.

My vending machine suprise was at Barbadelo. I arrived in the pouring rain, when I put my money in the machine it electrocuted me. Blew me off my feet. The albergue owner didn't believe me! Ive been wary of vending machines in the open when it is raining ever since!

you poor thing,luckily that you were OK.

 

[james mcev]

Vending machines in Pontedeume on the Ingles. The usuals, drinks, food, confectionary then these two. One with fishing tackle, and the other with a menagerie of tackle!

 

[Jackieduda]

I'm currently reading @Tim Greig 's informative & entertaining VF blog. He includes photos of what can only be described as giant vending machines dispensing such things as baguettes, hot pizza, bags of potatoes (not chips!) & cartons of eggs. Thinking of my own coin-operated encounters, it would be fun to read the vending machine wonders we've found roadside/trailside.
I'll start the ball rolling...

Japan...ruler of vending machine lands;

• hot & cold drinks from the one machine
• cream puffs/profiteroles in a can
• 40 different drinks but BYO cup! Just squirts liquid...a token effort to reduce waste I suspect
• an old but still working machine in the middle of nowhere containing mysterious unmarked packages where size clearly mattered (no...not THAT...) A local seeing my puzzlement proceeded to take off his gumboot to demonstrate the machine contents...innersoles!

What have you discovered?

I bought what appeared to be candy in a clear wrapper in a municipal on the CF. Turned out it was laundry detergent!
J

 

[Tassie Kaz]

Whereas our office machine acquired a sign saying "Win a coffee, 50p a try" since it dispensed tea, coffee, chocolate or a strange mixture at random no matter which button you pushed.

I think the strangest place for vending machines is Japan, you can buy almost anything from a machine there. Although the energy drink called Pocari Sweat always has tourists laughing.

Once you get past the name (I don't think the marketing team included a native English speaker...!) Pocari Sweat goes down very well after a hot day on the trail. I also, with trepidation, drank 'DeepSea Water'.
The all time winning drink name for me came from a vending machine in Singapore;
'Kickapoo Joy Juice'

 

[Virginia McKee]

I bought what appeared to be candy in a clear wrapper in a municipal on the CF. Turned out it was laundry detergent!
J

I don't want to know if you found this out the hard way... We're all unlikely to want to become accidental 'Tidepodders' ! Poor you

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

The all time winning drink name for me came from a vending machine in Singapore;
'Kickapoo Joy Juice' !!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kickapoo_Joy_Juice#Li'l_Abner

 

[Caligal]

View attachment 52774

Where was this one?

 

[Tassie Kaz]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kickapoo_Joy_Juice#Li'l_Abner

Well, I would never have guessed it originated in the US. Assume it's probably commonly available? Unknown here...I had to bring the bottle label home because no-one believed me! Oh...it was yummy by the way.

 

[ginniek]

Once you get past the name (I don't think the marketing team included a native English speaker...!) Pocari Sweat goes down very well after a hot day on the trail. I also, with trepidation, drank 'DeepSea Water'.
The all time winning drink name for me came from a vending machine in Singapore;
'Kickapoo Joy Juice' !!

Kickapoo Joy Juice was a favorite adult beverage featured in an old US cartoon, set in the mountains of Kentucky or West Virginia.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Well, I would never have guessed it originated in the US. Assume it's probably commonly available?

I never seen it or heard of it as a soft drink. I only knew the name from the comic strip Li'l Abner (which had a big cultural influence in the U.S.) The strip ended in the seventies so many here have probably never seen it.

 

[Mark Day]

Where was this one?

Alghero. Sardinia.

 

[Nev Sheather]

I think it wa

I'm currently reading @Tim Greig 's informative & entertaining VF blog. He includes photos of what can only be described as giant vending machines dispensing such things as baguettes, hot pizza, bags of potatoes (not chips!) & cartons of eggs. Thinking of my own coin-operated encounters, it would be fun to read the vending machine wonders we've found roadside/trailside.
I'll start the ball rolling...

Japan...ruler of vending machine lands;

• hot & cold drinks from the one machine
• cream puffs/profiteroles in a can
• 40 different drinks but BYO cup! Just squirts liquid...a token effort to reduce waste I suspect
• an old but still working machine in the middle of nowhere containing mysterious unmarked packages where size clearly mattered (no...not THAT...) A local seeing my puzzlement proceeded to take off his gumboot to demonstrate the machine contents...innersoles!

What have you discovered?

I think it was in Burgos that we saw a hamburger vending machine - we didn't try it!