List of Things Not to Take on the Camino

[Leslie]

Okay there is a thread that is going well on the list of things to pack. But this got me wondering on the silly things people might have taken with them.

I will confess and start.

I took Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky - - I am laughing at myself while I write this. Hey I was a student at the time studying philosophy, ah ma poor wee heed.

And the second one that I will admit to right now is a mosquito net. For some reason I thought I would need one for the nights - not well read before I went.

I had this idea that the Camino would be deserted and I would need lots of books to keep me entertained.

[HuskyNerd]

I confess to having taken Paulo Coelho's The Pilgrimage with me from SJPP. My goal was to read and study the places mentioned and perhaps to do the spiritual exercises, too. The book made it only as far as Roncesvalles where I left it for the enjoyment of a future pilgrim. I also left the 6 greeting cards my wife had prepared for me with instructions to open one every several days. It was a very loving idea, but the combined total weight of the book and cards was nearly a pound -- 5% of my total allowance.

[Tanya Yaksich]

Taking a book is probably as silly as taking nail varnish. On Covey's advice i've reluctantly ditched it. I have finally packed for the last time and gaffer taped my pack, so i can't be tempted to squeeze any thing else in. I'm flying out monday.

[Leslie]

I almost don't go anywhere without a book and that includes the Camino, however the first time I think I had packed FIVE books - utter madness. Now I would still take one and when finished leave it in an albergue and pick up another that someone else has left. Though I did not read as much as I thought I would and did not write as much either - I spent a lot of time walking, sleeping, and talking.