MacBook Pro

[RHinSantaFe]

Hi all. I am new to this forum. I am seriously considering making the pilgrimage in September of this year. I have been reading various threads and I am trying to learn my way around. There is a lot of good stuff. I am from Santa Fe, NM. Santa Fe is situated at 7,000 feet altitude. Highest peak locally is approximately 13,000 feet.

My question is: Is it an okay idea to carry a laptop on the walk or are there computers available. Sorry if this question has been asked before. I have looked around and have not seen much information regarding this issue. Thanks a bunch.

roger

[grayland]

I think the common thought is that a laptop is a bit "over the top" on the Camino. The added weight of charger and laptop is really too much for most of us. We are usually trying to take less socks and underware to cut weight.
Seriously, I would advise to leave it home. There are computers available along the way. A smart phone with wifi access would be a lot better if you just had to have internet access....and you can find wifi access.

You really do want to think minimal.

[BHinSanDiego]

On my Camino the only person I met who was carrying a laptop was using it to maintain his business back in Australia. I feel it is an unneeded item and something you would have to babysit and worry about getting stolen, not to mention the weight. Every alburgue I stayed in had computers that cost about a euro for 15-20 minutes, though to be honest it was a bit of a time travel experience, they were about as fast a dial up.

[RHinSantaFe]

yup, I figured that would be the case. I am reading so much on the weight issue. I just want to be able to communicate with my family and keep them updated. As long as I can access a computer from time to time I'm sure it will be fine. What do the folks do that are writing a blog, etc., or a day by day trip report? Just curious. BH, i looked in on your bloodspot. looks interesting... so much to read and so little time. Thank you both for your thoughts.

[zzotte]

I think you should consider a smart phone like the iPhone its does all you need as far as comms goes. A laptop computer ranks up there with hair dryers and electric bread slicers if you know what I mean.

Zo

[HuskyNerd]

I have to agree with zzote. I took my PDA (ok, it's an iPhone 4) with me on my 2010 camino and found it to be very helpful. I kept the cell phone feature turned off and used WiFi only and was surprised by the large number cafes and bars along the way that have WiFi for customers. I did get frustrated with a) checking my e-mail too often, which made me feel like I'd never left home, and b) having just a tiny keyboard and screen. On this year's camino I left my iPhone at home and relied on coin-op Internet kiosks. That allowed me occasional Internet access and also kept me from ruining my camino by mindlessly checking my e-mail constantly.

[BHinSanDiego]

Hey Roger, Glad you had a chance to read my blog, I usually updated it about every 3 or 4 days, I found there was no reason to do it everyday for a couple of reasons. First, for the most part each day was somewhat the same, wake up, get ready, walk, eat, walk some more, get to an alburgue, do the daily chores, spend time resting and with friends and sleep, doing the same thing each day, some might find that boirng but it is actually what makes the Camino special, just living a simple life, so I would update when I felt I had interesting things to say, secondly, as I mentioned earlier the computers are slow but the get the job done, and I didn't want to spend time everyday sitting in front of a computer. It seemed like just about any time one wanted to use a computer it was available, not many people if any at all spent much time on them, plus they do cost money so that factored in also, usually costs about 1 euro for 15 or 20 minutes.

[RHinSantaFe]

Hi all, I don't own a smart phone. I owned a blackberry for a while but decided I really didn't need or want constant internet connection. I especially didn't enjoy the extra cost. I will go ahead and use the occasional kiosk and/or the computer available at the alburques. Thanks for the input. BH, I did read your blog and found it to be very interesting. I have also read Claire's blog (or daily trip report) on this site. I just assumed that some people carried a laptop in order to write about their trip while the memories were fresh. I have to agree that constant checking the email account is counter to the purpose of making the walk. I have not been to the Camino De santiago but I feel that I am there all ready. I am noticing that I am trying to be more patient when I am out and about. Notice I have changed my user name. I guess I'm just copying you BH. Whats the saying? mimicking is the highest form of flattery? Something like that.

[zzotte]

Roger, I may add that with a smart phone even without data cost you can still call from Spain or any country for that matter to the US free that's right FREE and talk as long as you like using any wifi connection and Skype.

Zo

[RHinSantaFe]

Hi Zo, thanks for the info. I may go to Verizon (my provider) and and check it out. I just bought a new phone for my son with two year contract and won't be eligible for an upgrade until April 2012. I could always go to e-bay and see what's available. I also read something about purchasing a sims card or buy minutes or something. I will explore it further. Just got the Brierley Guidebook and have to return it by Sunday to a friend. He is leaving on September 1. I will probably book my flight today for August 31. Thanks again...

roger

[zzotte]

I think a sim card would work as long your phone is "unlocked" and I believe it has to be able to use Europe's network if I'm not mistaken. (Ask Verizon they would know) Skype is cool my grandson uses the iPod touch and my daughter uses the iPad you only need a Wi-Fi and an earphone with a mic

Have fun
Zo

[RHinSantaFe]

Zo, How about a disposable phone. Thought I saw something on a thread about getting something in Espana? Don't know that I'm going to need a phone (Brierley recommends against it) but there are two other fellows from SF that will be there. I learned of the second one today. I might want to meet up with them somewhere...

roger

[grayland]

IF..you have an unlocked GSM phone you can buy a SIM for use in Spain. You can get most carriers to unlock for use in Europe....not ATT usually. It does not have to be a smart phone...but only a smart phone will connect with WiFi.
I have checked out what is available for a couple of Caminos and have settled on the following site for the best and easiest deal.
Lebara SIM card for Spain
Incoming calls are free. Calls to USA are .03 euro/text to USA .19 euro. You can see the rates on the site.

You DO NOT want to use your US carrier. You will be astounded at the charges. You will pay European roaming + extreme rates.

PM me if you have questions.

[zzotte]

RhinSantaFe, I don't know if in Spain pay-as-you-go phones are readily available, here in the US unlocked US GSM enable phones are (so you can use a sim card) the assumption however was that you had a smartphone even without the data activated, (iPhone you can't get without a data plan) then you could use Wi-Fi and Skype and call for free. You may want to check this forum or ask the question about availability of cell phones, costs etc. in Spain, unfortunately I don't have an answer for you. From what I understand cell phones are not really a necessity since the Camino Frances has various computer kiosk locations, I'm sure some of the Sr. member here will know.
(I sometimes use the business office of hotels when I travel even if am not staying with them)

Zo

[Lipka149]

Hi Roger -

Capturing the Camino experience, whether it is by electronic device, the written word, or memory alone depends on what kind of experience you are setting out for. Do you want a detailed historical chronology ? A pictorial one ? Is the process of putting pen to paper and drawing your thing ? Is the Camino something you want to internalize so it will bubble up with its wisdom as your feelings are stimulated days, weeks and years afterwards ?

I suppose the question that should be answered first of all is ... why are you going ?

There is much concern about the wonderful technology that helps us communicate. Is it taking away from the personal methods we humans have used for ages ? The Camino is a way to find out for yourself. I highly recommend that you leave the electronics behind and put your faith in the human element to get you where you need to go and your own heart to record what is important.

That being said ... ... use the computers in the albergues to let your family and friends know that you are safe and going strong. Take a compact camera so you can record images that will open your memories. It is amazing how a picture of friends will bring back the feelings of being there ! Places and things ... not so much. Buy a book for that stuff. Get one image of each place you stay ... and images of your meals. That stuff isn't in the books.

Then come back and write your story to us ! Post your pix in the album ! Dare to live what you learn.

[HuskyNerd]

Much as I prefer to leave technology at home, on my last camino I found a simple, "disposable" cell phone to be a useful tool. It was helpful for a reason that some might not realize -- to keep in touch with other pilgrims. For instance, when I wanted to meet up with someone I hadn't seen for a couple of days we could text each other on our cell phones and arrange a rendezvous. The sending of texts between pilgrims is preferred over voice because often a person is out of cell coverage on remote parts of the journey. A text will deliver itself to your phone with much less signal and will follow you until you're in range and then beep you when it's arrived. Good to remember that most pilgrims are from Europe (not from a million miles away like us Yankees) so they can call home and friends like they never left.

In the U.S. I use an iPhone 4 (which I love), but when I researched the cost of using it in Europe I abandoned the idea. An international plan plus an international data plan is a couple hundred dollars per month. Also, with my iPhone I would constantly be tempted to switch on WiFi (which is often free) and check e-mail (as I had in my 2010 camino). So instead of bringing my iPhone with me on Camino 2011 I bought a very simple 19 Euro cell phone and charged it with 30 Euros of minutes. This was ample for my pilgrim-to-pilgrim communication needs for the whole 6 weeks and a big cost savings over having my iPhone. After a full charge the battery would last for weeks at a time. I used an Orange brand phone. Some say Movistar has the best coverage.

To contact folks back home in the U.S. the coin-op Internet kiosks worked just fine. But if you're at all social you might find yourself left out if you can't text other pilgrims by cell. If you're too old to understand what I mean by texting, never mind anything that I just wrote!

[RHinSantaFe]

Thanks to all for the great info. I can better evaluate and make an informed decision. i have bi-lateral, neuro-sensory hearing loss, and don't do well with the land lines much less with the cell phones. I have three phones in my family package and opted out of the data plan for all three. We primarily text and talking can be a great chore for me especially with poor connections, wind, etc. I do like the idea of the disposable phone since I primarily want to catch up with other pilgrims. I like the idea of using the hotel lobby computers. I like all of your ideas and will probably use the most cost effective. Why am I walking? i learned of the pilgrimage about a year and a half ago from my nephew who is in Switzerland with Alpine Raft (extreme sports/google it). He asked his mother (my sister) to go do the walk with him in September. I learned recently that a friend was going and then another fellow from Santa Fe and I decided that I want to do it. I just really have been looking to get away and I thought gee, what a better way than this? I purchased my airline tickets today and will be leaving August 30. I guess I'll figure out why on a day to day basis. Muy tranquilo

roger

[Covey]

The one thing everybody in Europe knows is that mobile phones are cheap and calls are not that expensive UNTIL you move outside your home country.

Mobile contracts do not cross borders!! You can have roaming rights, but all bets are off when it comes to how much you pay for calls and especially data. In the UK I pay $13 per month for unlimited 3G data on my Nokia so push email is a no brainer. On my last trip to Switzerland the charge would have been $18 PER MEGABYTE. If I use my UK mobile to phone a hotel in say Burgos to book a bed, the call goes from Spain back to the UK and then back to Spain and I pay both ways. Calling your friend to find out where in the town they are staying is actually a very expensive international phone call.

Probably the cheapest way to use a mobile in Spain is to use a company called LEBARA (HT to Gerald!) You can pick up a Pay As You Go SIMM in Pamplona if you start in St Jean. ALL Simms and contracts in Spain have to be registered and they will need sight of your National Passport. You cannot buy a Spanish Simm outside Spain because of the registration requirements.

http://www.lebara-movil.es/Pre-Pay-Cards


In order to use the LEBARA Simm you will need an UNLOCKED phone. The LEBARA Simm allows you to make local calls in Spain at "local" rates and calls to the States are very cheap.

Pamplona is the first point on the Camino Frances where you will find a mobile phone shop.!

A WORD OF WARNING

Mobile phones automatically search for the best signal. When you walk the Camino's you will notice that the service providers change frequently but if you normally receive email on your phone at home then when you arrive in France/Spain your phone will automatically lock on to the nearest 3G signal and continue downloading your mail. You will be impressed but whoever pays the bill will not be!!!

You do not need constant email on the Camino. Switch off your phone, and enjoy the silence!!