It's official

[Aryk]

Hi Y'all
It's official. Plane ticket is bought and paid for. Got all my gear and ready to go. I'm leaving March first and spending Easter weekend in Santiago at the Husa Santiago Apostol. Anyone know of it?? And if so, what's it like?? I'm taking y'alls advice in regards to the 1000 mile socks. Plan on picking them up in London on the way. At Blacks Sports Store. Is there any retailer in America that sells them only found them in "jolly ol' England"Any opinions on the subject would be greatly appreciated. Also I'm a big user of Absorbine Jr. (if anyone knows what it it) is it available on the Camino??
Thanks again for this forum. It must be quite a task keeping up with it. Thanks again
Aryk

[John Hussey]

Absorbine Jr likely not but Voltaren Emulgel yes...if you are so inclined

[Lipka149]

Any opinions on the subject {socks} would be greatly appreciated.

About socks ... ok, here is what I did and it worked quite well. I used the nice wool ones that absorb moisture and wick it away from the foot. Can't remember the brand, but the key was that they came in different thicknesses. I bought one of each thickness and experimented to find out how felt as I walked. Interestingly enough, I found that one thickness worked better on the left foot, while another thickness worked better on the the right ! Apparently, my feet are slightly different size, and the best fit in my boots required wearing a different thickness on each foot. Also, as my feet began to swell, changing into thinner socks along the Way helped me keep that good fit. Just one of those things I learned along the Way !

Wow ... Easter in Santiago ! Way to go, Aryk !

[Aryk]

Ya know. Now that you mention it, my left boot is a little bit sloshy where as my right boot fits like a glove. I went to the REI store and got a pair of heavyweight Merino wool socks and a pair of lightweight. When I wear the heavyweight socks on the left sloshy boot and the light on the right, I feel snug all the way around. My only concern is out on the trail, feet swell. So how's that gonna work?? I guess it's just gonna be trial and error. I'm going to do some trials before I go. I've got less than 5 months till I go. I'm about to burst at the seams. Another question about cash. My bank charges a 3% international charge. I'm planning on taking enough money to live on and if I use the ATMs my bank will charge $3.00us for every $100.00us. So at the end of it all they will get around $90.00us of my money that could be used elsewhere. Is there any advice you have on avoiding that robbery.
Thanks
Aryk

[Irene Schmidt]

Aryk,

check the exchange rate in the store, an the rate offered by your bank for foreign withdrawal. Sometimes the bank's exchange rate is better and compensates the 3% surcharge -- not to mention the convenience and safety of not having to walk all over Spain with a lot of cash in your pocket.

[grayland]

Do some homework on banks and the ATM/exchange fees.
Credit Unions are usually the best and or small regional banks.
Switch accounts if you find a better rate. Why pay the ripoffs from the big banks?

DON'T forget to notify your ATM card holder and also your Credit Card holder before you go. You will not want to have them locked the first time you use them.

[Lipka149]

I've got less than 5 months till I go. I'm about to burst at the seams.

<heh,heh> I know the feeling, brother, I know the feeling. Enjoy every moment of the anticipation !

Another question about cash. Is there any advice you have on avoiding that [3%] robbery.

There are many financial institutions that will compete for your business, so by all means take grayland's advice. You may wish to consider taking more than one ATM capable card, just to make sure you have access to funds if your main source cuts you off. I used two credit cards and, of course, pilfered from my son every chance I could get.

[John Hussey]

Aryk,

check the exchange rate in the store, an the rate offered by your bank for foreign withdrawal. Sometimes the bank's exchange rate is better and compensates the 3% surcharge -- not to mention the convenience and safety of not having to walk all over Spain with a lot of cash in your pocket.

Yes, do check and ask your bank! Some years ago I chose Bank of America in the US as it was about everywhere, plus they have (or at least had) an agreement with Deutsche Bank in Europe that ATM withdrawals were not charged the fee. It was quite likely a reciprocal arrangement. The trick was finding a Deutsche Bank ATM. But on the few other ATMs I used I just don't recall it being very expensive for the transactions.

[Aryk]

Ok I know this is a stupid question but here goes. Would i look like an idiot walking around Spain in my cowboy hat?? I've worn one since I was a kid. I would feel kinda weird being without one. I have a baseball cap that I know I'm gonna take, but having a hat with me in the rain would sure cover alot of territory. Kinda like wearing a Sombraro to the Alps. Sure would make me feel better, but will the Sherpas laugh.

[HuskyNerd]

Aryk, that's one of the cutest and funniest questions I've ever read on this Forum. You're sweet (and silly). In a good way!

I've seen two people on caminos who wore cowboy hats. One was a tall Mexican man and the other was a slender Austrian woman who'd spent a year in Argentina. Her hat made her look elegant. His hat made him look like a caballero. Neither looked silly. I'd say "go for it!"

[grayland]

You see all kinds of hats on the Camino. You really need the wide brim hat for both rain and sun. You won't be laughed at by anyone and probably be admired by most. Most of us identify other pilgrims in conversations by something visual or where they are from. You would be easy to identify by your new Pilgrim friends.
Don't hesitate. As Sandy said, go for it.

[Lipka149]

Would i look like an idiot walking around Spain in my cowboy hat??

Aryk -

It's a good thing you asked this question, because la policia de moda (Fashion Police) in Spain are very strict. After considerable research, I cannot find any law against the type of hat you describe. However, take warning ! You may find yourself constantly harassed by beautiful young women (and perhaps even a few beautiful young men) who INSIST that you take it off ! They will undoubtedly laugh while trying it on, and comment passionately about how it looks on them. My best advice to you is to smile sheepishly, avoid eye contact, and gently retrieve it after they have had their fun.



PS Take a look at my profile pic ... now there's a hat to laugh at ! Quite a story behind it, too.

[Irene Schmidt]

I totally agree with grayland and Husky!
Just make sure it stays put when the wind blows...
I started off wearing a Panama hat, but the first gust of wind sent it flying across a tall wheat field (it was a beautiful image...)
Then I bought a cap with a cinch cord and a removable neck protector, and was a happy camper for the rest of the Camino...

[grayland]

Irene makes a very good point...be sure you have a neck strap of some kind. Maybe you could get a bandanna and wrap over the top and under your neck when (and it will) the wind blows hard.
Seriously...you will need a way to keep it on in the strong winds. I have walked twice in March/April and have had some very windy days.

(I wonder if that is really how to spell bandanna...it looks wrong but spell checker insists)

[Aryk]

Well YEE-HAW then. I'm gonna take a hat. Found one with a chin strap. That should help with the wind. One time on a vacation to Mexico and a hurricane came in. Well that pesky Hurricane Erica wasn't gonna ruin my holiday. So I bought a poncho and put my hat on and went to explore Monterrey. A gust of wind came along and blew my hat to kingdom come and that poncho flew up and smacked me in the face for good measure. So on my Camino I'm choosing a hat with a chin strap and a raincoat. Gotta go now and drown my sorrows. Texas-OU game was today and the Longhorns had there butts handed to them. 55-17 whew glad those Cowboys have the day off tomorrow. Couldn't stand a double hit weekend. For all y'all that don't know, Americas team "The Dallas Cowboys", SUCK!!!! Ok enough venting. Yes, Minister is on. HeHeHe