This article is to help others with their packing.
Lots of the other pilgrims asked me how I was travelling with such a light pack. I wondered how they'd made theirs so heavy!
Of course, I have years of travel experience and time in a travel outfitter shop to help my expertise, but still I'm proud that I had less that 6kgs in my pack (it would have been less if it wasn't so cold too!).
It is said that you should only carry no more than 10% of your own body weight, so even I was carrying a bit "too much". However a lot of people had more than 10kgs, even though most of them do annual pilgrimages.
So, what did I take?
1 day pack and a satchel.
2 sets of clothes, with layering ability for warmth, I could wash what I hiked in that day at the end of the hiking and it would be dry before bedtime to re-wear the next day.
The sets included:
2 Bras
2 Singlets/vests for underwear
2 Long sleeved fitted thermal shirts*
2 Long sleeved, collared shirts. (One is rated for sun protection, I hiked in it every day. The other is a silk cotton blend, light. Both dry quickly after hand washing.)
2 pairs trousers (zip off were recommended, so I took a pair but preferred to hike in the others as the leg zipper irritated my skin).
Also:
1 set PJs. (Actually long sleeved trousers and shirt that I could wear out if wanted).
3 pairs socks
3 pairs panties (quick drying)
1 pair thermal leggings*
1 sweater
1 Hat: broad brimmed & waterproof
1 rain poncho (reusable type with clips... I could use it and some cord to make a shelter if needed. )
1 pair 'Croc' sandals (I really like crocs for travel, there are lots of different styles. I can wear mine casually, or in the shower. When using shared bathrooms you should wear water suitable shoes in the shower to avoid getting fungus infections). Crocs are also soft underfoot at the end of the day.
1 swimsuit (for thermal baths)
1 silk sleep sheet (everybody else had sleeping bags but there was always at least a few blankets available to those who asked).
1 silk scarf. You need a pillow slip! But European pillows aren't the same shape as Aussie ones, so I wrapped the pillow in my scarf. Silk is light (and they say it keeps you younger!)
1 sarong (not needed really)
Toiletry bag: really basic and obvious stuff. Less obvious: Shampoo bar (takes less space and won't spill), multi purpose soap (for skin and laundry, I'm told I could use it for hair too...). Sunscreen (but not much as I wear long sleeves, long trousers and a hat). Moisturiser (I had oil for my hair which I used on my skin too).
Towel: I don't have a big towel. Just this: a face washer (flannel) that I use in the shower to clean with, then I use it to wipe off excess water from my body. Then I have tiny (like 30cm squared) thin 'N-rit' travel towel to dry off the rest. I have a second one of these for my feet and crocs.
1 Water bottle, 1litre. And a disposable 500 ml bottle too. (I believe that if it's at all true that these shouldn't be reused because they breakdown, then we shouldn't be drinking from them at all).
1 sunglasses.
1 basic first aid kit: things for injuries.
1 a length of cord (didn't need it)
Smart phone. On this I had the guides (Apps) to the camino, Spanish-English dictionary, podcasts to listen too, books to read. I didn't carry any paperwork other than a small notebook and map.
Note: I always pay a lot and buy good hiking socks, as I believe that socks are as important as shoes for not getting blisters. I didn't get any blisters, but it was the number one complaint of other hikers. 1 pair of socks had individual toes, these were my favourite for hiking.
* I had intended to throw away the thermal layers as soon as the weather was warm enough.... But it didn't stay warm long enough.
I saw a pilgrim with a hair dryer: very unnecessary!
Advice: Test the hand washing and drying before you go - you want fast drying layers: you want to carry less items, lighter and more effective items, and you certainly don't want to be carrying items that don't dry on time (you won't be able to wear them then next day and wet clothes weigh more!)
Sun protection: I saw quite a few pilgrims with severe sunburn, some with blisters. Take the sun seriously! I prefer to wear long sleeves, sunscreen makes me hot, makes dirt stick to the skin, and sweats off and has to be reapplied.
I hope this helps!!!
Showing posts with label Vdlp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vdlp. Show all posts
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Saturday, 18 May 2013
Camino: people met along the way
One of my reasons for hiking a camino was to see who I'd meet. Here's a summary of 3 of interest:
The French juvenile delinquent (if that's the right thing to call him). He was walking with a social worker and she told me about this system of treatment. They'd been walking almost 3 months, from France along the Camino Frances to Santiago de Compostela, and then backwards along the Via de la Plata. Both had heavy packs and didn't have the cool gear that makes a pack lighter (like travel towels, and high tech sports wear). She said it was meant that in 3 months (they were almost finished) he'd have had time to reflect on the crimes he'd done and about changes he could make to improve his future.
I spoke to him too, and asked what he would do when he got home, he said he'd go back to school and hopefully help sick people. She'd told me he'd had a terrible upbringing. He's 18.
The ex-Political Prisoner. Honestly when I heard this it had taken me by surprise. But this man had been East German and imprisoned from, I think, 1971-1975. His English wasn't so good, so I couldn't get a lot of information. He said something about secret service.
I only found out about this because he checked into an albergue just after me and was distressed to find the room had no window. He said after bring imprisoned he really preferred to have a window.
The man with a Donkey: I met him in Seville and he left a few days before me, first going North East to pick up a donkey he'd bought to do the camino with. I later ran into him a couple of times more. He looked like he was having a really difficult time, perhaps he hadn't realised how difficult donkeys can be? He said the donkey was stubborn and progress was difficult, especially through town. Later I tried to assist him when he requested, but hurt my knee again in the process.
The French juvenile delinquent (if that's the right thing to call him). He was walking with a social worker and she told me about this system of treatment. They'd been walking almost 3 months, from France along the Camino Frances to Santiago de Compostela, and then backwards along the Via de la Plata. Both had heavy packs and didn't have the cool gear that makes a pack lighter (like travel towels, and high tech sports wear). She said it was meant that in 3 months (they were almost finished) he'd have had time to reflect on the crimes he'd done and about changes he could make to improve his future.
I spoke to him too, and asked what he would do when he got home, he said he'd go back to school and hopefully help sick people. She'd told me he'd had a terrible upbringing. He's 18.
The ex-Political Prisoner. Honestly when I heard this it had taken me by surprise. But this man had been East German and imprisoned from, I think, 1971-1975. His English wasn't so good, so I couldn't get a lot of information. He said something about secret service.
I only found out about this because he checked into an albergue just after me and was distressed to find the room had no window. He said after bring imprisoned he really preferred to have a window.
The man with a Donkey: I met him in Seville and he left a few days before me, first going North East to pick up a donkey he'd bought to do the camino with. I later ran into him a couple of times more. He looked like he was having a really difficult time, perhaps he hadn't realised how difficult donkeys can be? He said the donkey was stubborn and progress was difficult, especially through town. Later I tried to assist him when he requested, but hurt my knee again in the process.
Friday, 17 May 2013
Camino: robberies
Those who have been following this blog know that I had a terrible robbery on day 1 of hiking Via de la Plata from Seville.
I have met lots if people travelling alone, male and female, so I was unlucky but I do recommend hiking the southern sections with company.
However, I'm not the only one to be robbed. I recently met a pilgrim who said she came through on that same first stage as me (to Guillena), some 4 days prior, just behind a couple who had also been robbed by 2 men in balaclavas with knives (yes, a couple... 2 people together!). She wished she'd thought to tell others in the forum and guide as I had.
The night following the robbery a Dutch man had told me in that in the Guillena Albergue he had laid awake at night when he realised someone was coming through the window. He clapped his hand loudly, the intruder left, and he got up and closed the window. Unfortunately he didn't tell anyone in Guillena, but there was no hospitelero when we all left. I later heard that the following night a toiletry bag was stolen from that hostel. (Really, what a nuisance! I'd be disappointed to lose my toiletry bag and the thief should be disappointed to have it.)
Later I met a guy from Belgium who had his backpack stolen from the hostel while he slept in Castilblanco. He caught a bus back to the next big town (Camas), and bought a new one and some new things and continued. Fortunately he said that he had a lot of things out of his pack so they didn't steal everything.
And in Caceres, the day I left, I was sitting in a bar, at the bar, having breakfast (note, I haven't taken up 7am drinking, breakfast is eaten in bars in Spain). I had casually put my bags down. Then I sensed trouble. A young person had come in behind me with the pretence of going to the cigarette vending machine. But I really think she'd been going to snatch one of my bags, so I got up and moved them both to under my guard. She left without cigarettes or bags.
Still, it should be disappointing for me and the thief should my backpack or my food bag be stolen. Not a single thing in either should be of value to anybody else. No electronic gear, no money. Just dirty worn out clothes, and an old toiletry bag inside an old daypack that's getting holes. And an old food bag has opened packets of dried fruits and nuts, tea bags, and water.
Two thieves have already turned down the contents of my bags!
I have met lots if people travelling alone, male and female, so I was unlucky but I do recommend hiking the southern sections with company.
However, I'm not the only one to be robbed. I recently met a pilgrim who said she came through on that same first stage as me (to Guillena), some 4 days prior, just behind a couple who had also been robbed by 2 men in balaclavas with knives (yes, a couple... 2 people together!). She wished she'd thought to tell others in the forum and guide as I had.
The night following the robbery a Dutch man had told me in that in the Guillena Albergue he had laid awake at night when he realised someone was coming through the window. He clapped his hand loudly, the intruder left, and he got up and closed the window. Unfortunately he didn't tell anyone in Guillena, but there was no hospitelero when we all left. I later heard that the following night a toiletry bag was stolen from that hostel. (Really, what a nuisance! I'd be disappointed to lose my toiletry bag and the thief should be disappointed to have it.)
Later I met a guy from Belgium who had his backpack stolen from the hostel while he slept in Castilblanco. He caught a bus back to the next big town (Camas), and bought a new one and some new things and continued. Fortunately he said that he had a lot of things out of his pack so they didn't steal everything.
And in Caceres, the day I left, I was sitting in a bar, at the bar, having breakfast (note, I haven't taken up 7am drinking, breakfast is eaten in bars in Spain). I had casually put my bags down. Then I sensed trouble. A young person had come in behind me with the pretence of going to the cigarette vending machine. But I really think she'd been going to snatch one of my bags, so I got up and moved them both to under my guard. She left without cigarettes or bags.
Still, it should be disappointing for me and the thief should my backpack or my food bag be stolen. Not a single thing in either should be of value to anybody else. No electronic gear, no money. Just dirty worn out clothes, and an old toiletry bag inside an old daypack that's getting holes. And an old food bag has opened packets of dried fruits and nuts, tea bags, and water.
Two thieves have already turned down the contents of my bags!
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Camino: why do a pilgrimage?
Traditionally people would walk a pilgrimage for religious reasons and the Via de la Plata is an old Catholic pilgrimage route and an old roman road too, but these days the reasons for doing a pilgrimage are many and I have met very few religious pilgrims.
Many are simply walking for some time away from the modern world, and for exercise. Some are trying to decide on some important life changes, and are taking time to reflect. Many, to test themselves.
Many do one of the Camino's every year. There are lots to choose from. Remember I'm not doing the famous one, but the Via de la Plata.
The christian side of the camino is interesting. Apparently the pilgrimage can be a penance for crimes. And this does make me curious about the super religious types who have done the pilgrimage multiple times. Apparently there is a prison (in France I think), that has a policy of releasing a prisoner each year if they walk the French camino to Compostela with a heavy pack and guard. I kind of met one of these teams.
For me, I was attracted to the camino for a multitude of reasons but mostly, I wanted to walk from villages to small towns, amongst farms, woodlands and open views, enjoying the company I met and eating the wonderful regional foods of Spain.
Many are simply walking for some time away from the modern world, and for exercise. Some are trying to decide on some important life changes, and are taking time to reflect. Many, to test themselves.
Many do one of the Camino's every year. There are lots to choose from. Remember I'm not doing the famous one, but the Via de la Plata.
The christian side of the camino is interesting. Apparently the pilgrimage can be a penance for crimes. And this does make me curious about the super religious types who have done the pilgrimage multiple times. Apparently there is a prison (in France I think), that has a policy of releasing a prisoner each year if they walk the French camino to Compostela with a heavy pack and guard. I kind of met one of these teams.
For me, I was attracted to the camino for a multitude of reasons but mostly, I wanted to walk from villages to small towns, amongst farms, woodlands and open views, enjoying the company I met and eating the wonderful regional foods of Spain.
Camino: Day 14, reflecting on WOMAD
Sunday became a rest day for me. The German man had decided to walk and the German woman decided to rest her ankle problems for another day. It seemed reasonable to me to wait and go with her. In the end the man decided to wait too.
During the WOMAD festival I'd discovered my knee still hurt too much: I couldn't dance! So, this is why I chose a rest day. (Plus I'd had to stay up past midnight to see the Australian band 'the Barons of Tang', who were interesting...)
There are a few things I'd like to tell you about the festival, things that caught my attention:
Staying up: No matter what age a Spaniard is, they can and will stay up late, really late. I mean at home and elsewhere children are in bed by 8 or 9, and old people seem to choose this too. But in Spain I've seen toddlers and kids of all ages out (with parents) at midnight. And people beyond retirement ages too.
Haircuts: maybe it was the crowd attracted to WOMAD but Spain has more bad haircuts than anywhere I've ever been. Mullets, rats tails, undercuts, shaved off one side, dreadlocks of varying sizes on the same head, wacky fringes. This is on both guys and girls. But I like the spirit of it, I'm wondering if I should get an undercut and a wacky fringe?
Booze: apparently BYO to the festival isn't a problem. Young adults carried in 5 litres water bottles filled with wine which would be mixed with Coca-cola. They drank this from the biggest cups I've ever seen. See the picture below which shows the situation: almost everybody brought booze in.
The Spanish certainly know how to make a great fiesta!
During the WOMAD festival I'd discovered my knee still hurt too much: I couldn't dance! So, this is why I chose a rest day. (Plus I'd had to stay up past midnight to see the Australian band 'the Barons of Tang', who were interesting...)
There are a few things I'd like to tell you about the festival, things that caught my attention:
Staying up: No matter what age a Spaniard is, they can and will stay up late, really late. I mean at home and elsewhere children are in bed by 8 or 9, and old people seem to choose this too. But in Spain I've seen toddlers and kids of all ages out (with parents) at midnight. And people beyond retirement ages too.
Haircuts: maybe it was the crowd attracted to WOMAD but Spain has more bad haircuts than anywhere I've ever been. Mullets, rats tails, undercuts, shaved off one side, dreadlocks of varying sizes on the same head, wacky fringes. This is on both guys and girls. But I like the spirit of it, I'm wondering if I should get an undercut and a wacky fringe?
Booze: apparently BYO to the festival isn't a problem. Young adults carried in 5 litres water bottles filled with wine which would be mixed with Coca-cola. They drank this from the biggest cups I've ever seen. See the picture below which shows the situation: almost everybody brought booze in.
The Spanish certainly know how to make a great fiesta!
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