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Thanks so much! Ooh, I hadn't even thought about the coin idea -- love it!Aquarius.
A bottle of water ( which you can refill and reuse at later moments ).
A chocolatebar.
Also perfectly exceptable to leave a 0.50 € coin on the counter when you went to the toilet.So no need to buy anything.
If questioned about it you can say "para los servicios."Also perfectly exceptable to leave a 0.50 € coin on the counter when you went to the toilet.
Thanks so much! Ooh, I hadn't even thought about the coin idea -- love it!
Lol - careful irony is often missed on here...or were youPfft.. I just sneak in past and use the WC. If there's a half toilet roll that I can get in my pocket I usually grab that too, in case I need it later. If I spot a decent piece of leftover tortilla or something at an empty table I usually scoop that up too as I slip out, usually unnoticed, but I give a friendly shrug and smile if anyone says anything.. no point in wasting stuff..
Other's mightn't believe you, but I doPfft.. I just sneak in past and use the WC. If there's a half toilet roll that I can get in my pocket I usually grab that too, in case I need it later. If I spot a decent piece of leftover tortilla or something at an empty table I usually scoop that up too as I slip out, usually unnoticed, but I give a friendly shrug and smile if anyone says anything.. no point in wasting stuff..
The early morning cafe con leche purchase is a given.For me
Pre 10am: Cafe con leche
10am to 12: zumo de naranja
After 12: cerveza
Doesn't taste like carbonated anything to me. I couldn't drink it if it were carbonated - carbonation is medically forbidden for me. But yes - similar to Gatorade or Powerade - but better. If your lucky - they add a slice of orange to your orange Aquarius and a slice of lemon to your lemon Aquarius! It really is the best for rehydrating me. The Aquarius zero is very good too - but I never saw that on the Frances. I did find it on the Norte - sometimes.The Coca Cola Company doesn't sell Aquarius on the west side of the ocean, but they sure do in Spain. Orange or lemon flavor, it tastes like a fruit soda drink, but its lightly sugared, and filled with electrolytes. Every bar has it. Tastes more like a carbonated Gatorade than anything else. If you are a sweater (not the cozy fuzzy kind, but the soggy smelly kind), its essential to ward off dehydration and cramping. I usually have two a day....at the stops where we change the fluids.
Things I didn't expect to look forward to on my Camino: drinking these.The Coca Cola Company doesn't sell Aquarius on the west side of the ocean, but they sure do in Spain. Orange or lemon flavor, it tastes like a fruit soda drink, but its lightly sugared, and filled with electrolytes. Every bar has it. Tastes more like a carbonated Gatorade than anything else. If you are a sweater (not the cozy fuzzy kind, but the soggy smelly kind), its essential to ward off dehydration and cramping. I usually have two a day....at the stops where we change the fluids.
Sorry but it's really not rocket science ie bottled water, beer, coffee, soft drinks, tortilla, Torta de Santiago, bocadillos of all varieties, not to mention fresh fruit such as oranges, apples, bananas (and/or chocolate bars if you want more of a cocoa/sugar hit!).The scenario: I've walked, had some breakfast, walked some more. I stop in a bar/café to use their restroom. To show appreciation, I want to buy something. What beverages would be useful to my body at this point? Or what's a packable/portable snack they typically sell? --My apologies if this is TOO specific, but on my first Camino (Astorga to SdC)I didn't have a grasp of what bars serve, so I ended up ordering Zumo every time! (which is delicious, of course!)
In the US I always leave buck or order water. My French brother-in-law explained that it's customary in France for bar restrooms to be open to all, no payment expected, but I still felt better leaving something. I don't know about Spain.The scenario: I've walked, had some breakfast, walked some more. I stop in a bar/café to use their restroom. To show appreciation, I want to buy something. What beverages would be useful to my body at this point? Or what's a packable/portable snack they typically sell? --My apologies if this is TOO specific, but on my first Camino (Astorga to SdC)I didn't have a grasp of what bars serve, so I ended up ordering Zumo every time! (which is delicious, of course!)
I think that the difference between bars in France and those on the Camino in Spain is that the bars on the Camino see a lot more foot traffic of people who use their services but don't stay and order something.In the US I always leave buck or order water. My French brother-in-law explained that it's customary in France for bar restrooms to be open to all, no payment expected, but I still felt better leaving something. I don't know about Spain.
Kas Limon ~ very refreshing ~Thanks so much! Ooh, I hadn't even thought about the coin idea -- love it!
I always purchase something in the bar/cafe as the owners pay for the toilet paper/electricity/staff to clean/the equipment that we use. So I buy a coffee and pastry or sandwich.The scenario: I've walked, had some breakfast, walked some more. I stop in a bar/café to use their restroom. To show appreciation, I want to buy something. What beverages would be useful to my body at this point? Or what's a packable/portable snack they typically sell? --My apologies if this is TOO specific, but on my first Camino (Astorga to SdC)I didn't have a grasp of what bars serve, so I ended up ordering Zumo every time! (which is delicious, of course!)
Why go all the way to the WC? Surely there is a quiet corner....Pfft.. I just sneak in past and use the WC. If there's a half toilet roll that I can get in my pocket I usually grab that too, in case I need it later. If I spot a decent piece of leftover tortilla or something at an empty table I usually scoop that up too as I slip out, usually unnoticed, but I give a friendly shrug and smile if anyone says anything.. no point in wasting stuff..
We usually ordered a Scheppes tonica water! The quinine in helped keep us healthy!
Found them pretty much everywhere that was making drinks.
I wouldn’t be in the least surprised if you were a ‘Private Eye’ reader in which the description ‘tired and emotional’ is a euphemism for my typical state during my more regrettable posts (also arguments, proposals of marriage, ill-conceived decisions to participate in failed coups and so-on )Of course I should have written " acceptable". Mental note to self : do not type when tired.
I walked in the summer and would grab an ice cold drink or ice cream if I needed to stop and use the restroom. Some bars even had chairs and tables outside for a quick break.The scenario: I've walked, had some breakfast, walked some more. I stop in a bar/café to use their restroom. To show appreciation, I want to buy something. What beverages would be useful to my body at this point? Or what's a packable/portable snack they typically sell? --My apologies if this is TOO specific, but on my first Camino (Astorga to SdC)I didn't have a grasp of what bars serve, so I ended up ordering Zumo every time! (which is delicious, of course!)
I wouldn’t be in the least surprised if you were a ‘Private Eye’ reader in which the description ‘tired and emotional’ is a euphemism for my typical state during my more regrettable posts (also arguments, proposals of marriage, ill-conceived decisions to participate in failed coups and so-on )
The tonic water will hydrate you but I don’t think there’s much quinine in it for health benefitsWe usually ordered a Scheppes tonica water! The quinine in helped keep us healthy!
Found them pretty much everywhere that was making drinks.
I’ve hardly ever seen diet tonic in the bars on the Camino, and only very seldom in the supermarkets, and then only in large bottlesI usually opt for diet tonic if available and can't tell the difference. I'm not much into hard liquor, but I enjoy a refreshing g&t with a slice of lime, especially in the summer.
Agua con gas!!Always healthy !!1 or 2 € maxThe scenario: I've walked, had some breakfast, walked some more. I stop in a bar/café to use their restroom. To show appreciation, I want to buy something. What beverages would be useful to my body at this point? Or what's a packable/portable snack they typically sell? --My apologies if this is TOO specific, but on my first Camino (Astorga to SdC)I didn't have a grasp of what bars serve, so I ended up ordering Zumo every time! (which is delicious, of course!)
Yes, I forgot, this for me too (or fruit)! Thirst quencher indeed.Agua con gas!!Always healthy !!1 or 2 € max
That's a good point. I feel showing appreciation by either purchasing something or leaving perhaps a Euro is the decent thing to do.I think that the difference between bars in France and those on the Camino in Spain is that the bars on the Camino see a lot more foot traffic of people who use their services but don't stay and order something.
I believe that quinine was added as a malaria preventative. I don't believe malaria is an issue on the Camino, though. It is carried by some mosquitos, not by bed bugs.The tonic water will hydrate you but I don’t think there’s much quinine in it for health benefits
There’s a lot of sugar in a bottle of it however
I don’t tend to worry about what’s in the tonic though, especially when I add a few gins
Is there something wrong with digging a cat hole and burying all of the evidence? Asking for a friend.I almost always ordered an aquarius. I needed the fluids with electrolytes. And they were usually nice and cold which was heavenly after walking for a few hours.
I also often ordered some sort of pastry or a tortilla de potata for breakfast. They don't expect you to order much. It is easy to order something small, go the the toilets, eat or drink, and leave. I often spent 10 minutes or less at the bar while others spent an hour or two.
And yes - if you need to use the toilets but don't want anything to eat or drink - just give them a 0.50 € coin.
And as someone mentioned - I don't always wait until a bar to take care of my personal needs and I am more than willing to pee somewhere outside if need be (and I don't leave toilet paper behind). Other business I won't do outside unless it is an emergency and I just can't wait (rare - but that can happen) - but I still don't leave TP behind.
As one who is a vegetarian, does not drink coffee or alcohol or soft drinks, I am happy to learn leaving .50 euro is acceptable. Thanks!Aquarius.
A bottle of water ( which you can refill and reuse at later moments ).
A chocolatebar.
Also perfectly exceptable to leave a 0.50 € coin on the counter when you went to the toilet.So no need to buy anything.
Quite a lot, actually. The camino routes are generally not wilderness areas, although there are some parts that do go through forested areas. So you are going to be doing your business either close to the camino itself, or on someone's private property if you do move far enough off the camino to follow the general guidance on this. Moreover, while your 'friend' might be disciplined enough to follow the general guidance about depth and coverage, it is not good practice to leave TP in place, but to have some mechanism to carry it out. And finally, there are very few circumstances where it is necessary to do so. Just because toilets are in bars or other such places does not give anyone an excuse to avoid them and then do their business some distance further on when the urge to do something they could have done in a town or village suddenly becomes so compelling they cannot avoid defecating where they are.Is there something wrong with digging a cat hole and burying all of the evidence? Asking for a friend.
Yes! I’m similar.As one who is a vegetarian, does not drink coffee or alcohol or soft drinks, I am happy to learn leaving .50 euro is acceptable. Thanks!
The friend is a member. Just shy. Thanks for your pronouncement.Quite a lot, actually. The camino routes are generally not wilderness areas, although there are some parts that do go through forested areas. So you are going to be doing your business either close to the camino itself, or on someone's private property if you do move far enough off the camino to follow the general guidance on this. Moreover, while your 'friend' might be disciplined enough to follow the general guidance about depth and coverage, it is not good practice to leave TP in place, but to have some mechanism to carry it out. And finally, there are very few circumstances where it is necessary to do so. Just because toilets are in bars or other such places does not give anyone an excuse to avoid them and then do their business some distance further on when the urge to do something they could have done in a town or village suddenly becomes so compelling they cannot avoid defecating where they are.
ps your 'friend' would be quite welcome to join the forum, rather than have you act as an intermediary.
Nothing at all wrong with that if you find yourself stuck out in the open between villages and you've no choice. But it's not much fun and frankly, it's messy and inconvenient..Is there something wrong with digging a cat hole and burying all of the evidence? Asking for a friend.
Is there something wrong with digging a cat hole and burying all of the evidence? Asking for a friend.
Nothing at all wrong with that if you find yourself stuck out in the open between villages and you've no choice. But it's not much fun and frankly, it's messy and inconvenient..
Much better and more hygienic if you can, to just slip into a bar or restaurant, order a beer or coffee and use their facilities..
taken that coffee cost 1 to 1½ Euro, why not just order a coffee and..? and get the weight off your feet.I leave a euro . Often it is refused.
Virkelig? Troede du at min kommentar var seriøs?Using facilities without supporting the shop is rude and when it includes snatching half a roll of loo paper like Flog suggests is working against a healthy relationship btw patrons and customers, and will reflect bad on others..we need the goodwill of one another...
Sorry but that is juvenile IMHO..knowing that you will do it anyway...
taken that coffee cost 1 to 1½ Euro, why not just order a coffee and..? and get the weight off your feet.
Using facilities without supporting the shop is rude and when it includes snatching half a roll of loo paper like Flog suggests is working against a healthy relationship btw patrons and customers, and will reflect bad on others..we need the goodwill of one another...
Sorry but that is juvenile IMHO..knowing that you will do it anyway...
Thanks, Flog. At 75 our system has a mind of its own. So when you least expect it…and at the most inconvenient time…well you get the idea.Nothing at all wrong with that if you find yourself stuck out in the open between villages and you've no choice. But it's not much fun and frankly, it's messy and inconvenient..
Much better and more hygienic if you can, to just slip into a bar or restaurant, order a beer or coffee and use their facilities..
´gu gjorde jeg så !Virkelig? Troede du at min kommentar var seriøs?
I do not think buying water in a plastic container is good. Surely most people have a metal water container they refill? I have walked four different caminos but never heard of Aquarius. I will look out for it in Portugal this Spring and will taste test it.
I advise all my peregrina friends to NEVER pass up an opportunity to use a flush toilet when the opportunity presents itself. Even if you don't feel the "urge" at that particular moment, do it anyway. It may save lots of stress.
Back when me and my then-boyfriend did a lot of long-distance bicycle touring, we found that splitting a 16oz bottle of Coke about 2/3rds through the day's miles really helped. I'm sure some of it was just a chance to stop and rest and get a little sugar and caffeine. Our bottles of water by then were usually warm and tasted of plastic, to boot. (Or worse--in the prairie provinces of Canada I bought packets of Tang powder because the local well water often had a strong taste that made it hard to drink enough water, period.)but I will add that in hot weather and you are hot, have lost fluids and minerals etc, a cold coke really can help as a general restorative.
Very helpful! Thanks.Sometimes it's acceptable to not have anything. But I always get something in any case, though be aware that on occasion, a bar or café may have no toilets ...
Otherwise, depending on how you feel, water, red wine, coffee, a beer can be fine.
And it's not infrequent for a bar to have 1.5L bottles of water for refill purposes.
Otherwise, red wine can help slightly with muscle pain and beer can help slightly with pain generally and with quick rehydration, but I will add that in hot weather and you are hot, have lost fluids and minerals etc, a cold coke really can help as a general restorative.
Of course, these are all just drinks, and make sure to have your prescription meds if you need them, but it's still a good idea to keep in mind how the ordinary food and drink may keep us generally restored along the Way.
Ah, that's interesting, I was under the impression that it was not legal to operate a bar or restaurant without toilet facilities. Has anyone found such a place recently? Just curious. (Ramon's place in "The Way" does not countthough be aware that on occasion, a bar or café may have no toilets ...
Aquarius -a lovely refreshing drink!The scenario: I've walked, had some breakfast, walked some more. I stop in a bar/café to use their restroom. To show appreciation, I want to buy something. What beverages would be useful to my body at this point? Or what's a packable/portable snack they typically sell? --My apologies if this is TOO specific, but on my first Camino (Astorga to SdC)I didn't have a grasp of what bars serve, so I ended up ordering Zumo every time! (which is delicious, of course!)
Just back from central Portugal. I had never seen this in cafés there, so looked it up on 2 online grocery chains (Pingo Doce and Continente). They DO sell it, but it doesn't look as if it's very common.I do not think buying water in a plastic container is good. Surely most people have a metal water container they refill? I have walked four different caminos but never heard of Aquarius. I will look out for it in Portugal this Spring and will taste test it.
Except that on my recent walk on the Salvador and Primitivo I was informed that it is now prohibited to charge for bathroom use.If questioned about it you can say "para los servicios."
I do not think buying water in a plastic container is good. Surely most people have a metal water container they refill? I have walked four different caminos but never heard of Aquarius. I will look out for it in Portugal this Spring and will taste test it.
Speechless.Pfft.. I just sneak in past and use the WC. If there's a half toilet roll that I can get in my pocket I usually grab that too, in case I need it later. If I spot a decent piece of leftover tortilla or something at an empty table I usually scoop that up too as I slip out, usually unnoticed, but I give a friendly shrug and smile if anyone says anything.. no point in wasting stuff..
With laughter, I hope. Clearly (at least, to meSpeechless.
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