Losing weight, backpacks on flights and more! Another Camino Q&A
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
- Round 5 of answering your Camino questions:
-Are mosquitoes a problem on the Camino?
-How do you get to/from the starting and ending points of your Camino?
-Can you take your backpack onto the flight as a carry-on, or do you need to check it?
-Will you lose weight on the Camino? What if you don’t want to lose weight?
-Am I going to ever learn to speak Spanish, especially since I keep going back to Spain to walk Camino’s?
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I'm from Spain and I'm planning my first Camino for this summer, I just wanted to say that if you're worried about language, ask us for help!! We (younger spanish pilgrims) usually know english pretty well, and we'll be very glad to help you translate stuff that you don't understand or if you're struggling when you're checking in an albergue (some of us might offer ourselves even before you ask hahaha). I find this way easier (and closer? if you get what I mean) than having to pull out your phone to open google translate. Hope it helps, and Buen Camino!
Thank you for your kind offer , I find most people will help you out if you are nice and smile . I’m constantly amazed how well young Europeans speak English . Us Brits to our shame are not nearly as good with language . I flew with a Czech fellow who could speak 5 languages , most of them really well . 😊
@@Rkolb2798 yes! being nice is always a plus, but I don't think that's a problem among pilgrims, as most of us share similar values regarding that stuff 😁
True , We’re all somewhat crazy 😊
Hi Sara, yes, thank you so much for this! It warmed my heart to read, and reminded me of one of my very favorite pilgrims, who I met on the 2nd day of my Camino Francés, when I was a brand new pilgrim and awfully nervous. He was Spanish, and was so kind and thoughtful and helpful, and stayed my friend throughout the rest of the walk. Sometimes it's hard for me to ask for help but your comment has helped to remind me that most people WANT to be helpful (especially fellow pilgrims!)
Love your Q&A videos Nadine, and in fact I really appreciate all your vids in general. You have such a genuine, informative and engaging style.
Thank you so much, these videos have been fun to make, and have made me consider certain topics a little more intently than I otherwise might have!
No mosquitoes on the Camino. We stayed in Paris then Bayonne . We then walked the Frances. Stayed in Najera, Burgos and Leon for 3 days. We spent 3 months in Spain. We had just retired. An experience of a lifetime. We love Paris too.
Surprisingly, based on informal polls I've done over the years, more people I know tend to gain weight on the camino rather than lose weight. Whether that's because they've gained a bunch of muscle, or because they had a few too many chocolate croissants coupled with bottles of wine, I'll never know. My clothes definitely fit way looser when I got to Santiago, but that only really happened in the last two weeks for me (the first two weeks I felt like I had gained weight, maybe just due to my body getting used to things). But yah, the weight loss seems to be hit or miss for most people. And in general, for the ones that did, they seemed to gain a lot of it back over the next month or two. Good video!
This would be an interesting topic of conversation, maybe towards the end of a longer Camino with other pilgrims I meet... I'm curious what the breakdown is like. My near-daily croissant and beer breaks/vino at dinner sure help prevent me from losing too much weight (oh, and the potato chips!!) so I can imagine it might be the same for others as well!
many thanks, Nadine! another wonderful post! as for backpacks...my wife and I have done several Caminos, she carries on her 40 liter pack, and I check my pack with both of our poles and my swiss army knife. We have had not problem with the checked pack. As for learning the language, I have also done the Duolingo thing, and that has helped, but I think you are right it is time to go and do an immersion to really get a foot hold on the language. Just for fun, a greatest hits...could be an albergue, a pinxto, a tapas, a favorite town, the most beautiful scene, the most interesting person...or whatever. Be well, and buen camino!
Ooh, I LOVE the greatest hits idea!! That would be a lot of fun :)
@@NadineWalks I'd love to see this too!
Cant thank you enough for all you share. Helps immensely!
Thanks Scot, I'm happy to try to help!
Few misquotes: it’s pretty dry. Chiggers in the grass-yes! I stepped into the tall grass and was bit. I’d say many flies and gnats (which is why I carry a bug net to wear)!
I don't think I've encounter chiggers in the grass but now I'll be extra careful if stepping in/walking through high grass!!
Oh, and yes, there have been a few stretches when the flies were relentless!
Glad to see you back again 😊
It took me living in Spain for me to truly know the language despite having a Spanish major.
Also, thank you so much for that comment about how you want to do other hikes but just keep feeling the pull toward Spain. I feel there is so much of the world I want to see, yet I recently just bought another ticket to Spain (parts of Camino de Girona and Catalán and Vasco del Interior take 2...hope it works out this time!)...I feel much less guilty now after hearing that comment.
Thanks for these videos and always, Buen Camino!
I think some of the feelings of guilt for me can be influenced by others' comments... people will often say to me- "You're going there again?" or "Don't you want to go somewhere new?" It's happening less now, as everyone realizes that walking is kind of what I do now, and it's usually in Spain (and also that I love France so I keep going back there as well). But I'm trying to just embrace how wonderful it is to have discovered something that I love so much. And, that we have this life and what a joy to be able to spend some of it doing something we love!
Thanks so much for this informative video. So helpful in preparing for my second Camino this fall.
Hi Nadine, thnx for the vid! I haven't done the Camino but can say something abt backpacks & flights. My hiking/ travel backpack is 40L and I have brought it with me several times in flights. I live in Asia. For budget airlines here, the concern isn't too much on the size but on the weight. Your carryon bag must not weigh more than 7 kg or 15.4 lbs. Hiking poles & umbrellas are not allowed in carryon. Usual limits re: liquids (not more than 100 ml). I think Euro budget airlines (example Ryanair) have similar policies re: carryon. Hope that helps. Buen camino!
Another great discussion Nadine! Here are some more questions--recommendations for sleeping liners (that seems to be what most pilgrims are sleeping in); one or two trekking poles--just personal preference? staying at places besides albergues and small hotels-- I have heard there are monasteries? something like lodges? I know that there are paradores but those can be very expensive.
More great questions! Thank you for continuing to thoughtfully consider what pilgrims might need to know or be curious about. (for the record, in case it takes me awhile to get to it, I love staying in monasteries!! When they're available, of course)
Thanks for sharing with us your experience and for all information on the Camino ❤
It's my pleasure!
Thank you Nadine, love your videos! Very informative!! 🥰
Thank you. This video was helpful. I had checked my backpack twice traveling to and from caminos. THe first camino, I had my backpack in a duffle bag. Your idea about an Ikea bag is much better because I gave my duffle bag away at my first albergue in SJPdP. The camino earlier this year, I checked my backpack (poles inside the backpack) and it arrived safely with me in Lisbon. I hiked the Portugués earlier this year. The weight loss is an issue for me. The first camino I lost around 20# and I didn't have it to spare. When I checked my body composition after arriving back home I found that 60% of the weight loss for me was muscle and 40% was bodyfat/other. Because of the weight loss, on this second caminho in Portugal, I made it a point to book accomodations where there were places to workout nearby. That helped with not losing as much muscle but i still lost weight. The thing with me and camino food is that a lot of the time it was fatty so I didn't want to eat it or didn't eat much. This is how I lost weight unintentionally. The first camino I usually just started with coffee then started hiking. The 2nd camino I tried as much as possible to eat something before leaving for the trail. I'm leaving on Monday, Sept 4th for Camino #3. Flying into BCN and out of Madrid. I have't decided which route. I'd like to do Primitivo but not sure about weather and places for food, shelter, etc. I may end up doing Frances again. I'm researching not. Regarding the mosquitos, on my first camino I stayed in places with no a/c and so you had to open windows for some air flow. In Fromista, at Hotel San Martin, they didn't have screens so I woke to multiple mosquito bites. Also in the town square there, if you walked out at night they were out then as well. So, mosquitos might be a thing. I bought this scarf at Bass Outdoors that ws treated with something that repelled insects. The issue was in the hot weather a scarf around your neck doesn't feel to good. So, just a couple of my own observations. Buen Camino.
Reference backpacks, I used a 40L for my Norte Camino. We did carry-on and I think this helped because of a flight delay on departure meaning we had to run to get our connecting flight. Had we checked a bag, we wouldn’t have had to get the bag prior to clearing immigration but I don’t remember if people had to pick their checked luggage 1st.
I’m having an issue with my upcoming Camino reference backpacks. Lufthansa shows a carry-on limit of 8kg, 18lbs, but I got my tickets via United who is a partner airline and is only servicing my forth leg only out of the 4 legs. 2 out and 2 back. My dilemmas I have is, taking a smaller pack that’s not as comfortable for a long hike or taking my 40L meant for a longer hike but may be to big without checking due to the smaller dimensions allowed.
Thanks for all your great informational videos! I always enjoy them.
Apologies if you have covered this topic previously but I was wondering about when someone feels the need to go to the toilet while walking, but is a long way from cafes, etc. Do you have any recommended procedure? I know some people carry a small trowel to dig a hole and bury the evidence. I suspect you did not so maybe you were always able to manage toilet stops while you were in built-up areas and not out in the deep wilderness? Also, as a woman on her own, I imagine this has difficulties associated with it. (If you have a buddy, they can be a sentry for you.)
Great question, sometime last year I thought about doing a (more female oriented) 'bathroom on the Camino' video, so I might try to address this in either a Q&A video or a separate video! (it's important stuff: for the first week on my first Camino, I don't think I was drinking enough water because I was nervous about having to go to the bathroom outside! But eventually I got used to it and then drank water to my heart's content... which also led to some rather difficult moments trying to find a secluded spot!)
Great topics Nadine! Really enjoy your channel. I'm hooked on the Norte and excited to head back for a redo in the coming months. I to fly into Paris and connect to Biarritz where I spend 3 or 4 days, then cab it to Irun.
I'm hooked on the Norte too (well, honestly, I'm hooked on so many of the routes! But I think I could probably keep returning and returning to the Norte and always be happy). I hope you have a wonderful Camino!
Hi Nadine- Thank you for all the information to help us get started for our first Camino. We're planning to take the Camino Frances trip.
Have you talked about the electricity and adapters needed on the trip? Thanks again for all the great information and inspiration.
Hi Nadine. Another great QA. Thank you. -Evan (from Canada)
You're welcome, Evan!
Thank you. This was extremely informative
You're welcome, I hope it was helpful!
Thank you for your wonderful videos! Probably a stupid question, but what about walking a Camino in reverse? I’d like to do the Camino Frances from St. Jean to Santiago and then continue on to Porto (and maybe continue to Fatima). Since I wouldn’t have a pilgrim passport for the Portugal route, would I be allowed in the albergues? Or do they even ask for that?
Great channel. Thanks for you info and enthusiasm.
Ever had issues with pickpockets when in towns? Seems like a lot of pilgrims would be an attractive target.
Hi Nadine I Love your channel! I’m planning to do Camino Frances this summer with my 20 year old daughter. I’m so grateful for this opportunity and your channel has helped so much in knowing what to expect. A question I had is about Paris. Any travel tips as this will be where we fly into before we start our journey. Where to stay and must see places. Thanks for any advice you might have.
Do you have a favorite app for Camino Portugues?
The carry on limit varies by airline. Most are OK with a 33L pack but some of the low cost carriers are very tight. Walking poles are more of a problem which is why I put my bag in the hold. I am in the UK so can’t speak for the long haul carriers but they generally are more relaxed. Best to check with your airline.
Thank you for the help on this one, I thought it was somewhere in the 30L range!
I'm getting ready for my first Camino with my mom in September. I'm really excited, but I'm a little concerned about food. I'm vegan (mostly by choice) and gluten-free (out of necessity). I really don't want to be THAT tourist who is really picky about food. Do I need to start re-integrating animal products in my diet before hiking in order to not offend anyone (and to get enough protein), or are there enough vegan/veg options along the way? Thank you for all your videos!
Hi if you like so much nature you could try the Rota Vicentina in Portugal (where I live, I did it twice) It is not a spiritual Camino but it is one of the most beautiful trail in Europe either the historic that the coastal one.
Maybe you've already seen from my other videos, but I HAVE walked the Rota Vicentina!! I just did it this past April, and it was so incredible. Seriously might have been the best 8-day stretch of walking I've ever done. So you made the perfect recommendation, because I really loved it :)
Hey Nadine, thank you, great info as always. From your packing list videos I know you like/use the Keen shoe and I noticed in one of your pictures here on this video (a picture in the losing weight section) that you had the exact same Keen shoe I was planing on wearing for my Norte Camino. I believe they are the Targhee Vent Keen. I will be on the Camino June 6 of this year. The precipitation average for June along the Spanish Northern Cost (El Norte) has an average of 7 to 9 days of rain with last year, 2022 having 12 days of constant rain. While I absolutely love my Keen Targhee Vents for every reason in the book, I am rethinking this particular Keen shoe because it is NOT waterproof. Today on line I found the Woman's Targhee II Waterproof low shoe on a clearance sale for half price in my size so... I grabbed a pair. I guess my question is... Is it a good idea to have waterproof Keen shoes in June on the El Norte as oppose to a more vented shoe? I'm not a fan of hiking in wet socks. On the Keen website it does say that the Targhee II Waterproof shoe is breathable. Or... like my daughter says, am I over thinking this? Laurie ;~)
Ooh, this is a tough question, because some of it might come down to personal preference. First of all, you're right! I wear the Targhee Vent (just bought a new pair for this year!) As long as they keep making it, and as long as my feet don't change, this will be my go-to Camino shoe. I have to say, I think it keeps my feet rather dry even in the rain... unless I'm walking in heavy rain/all day rain. There have definitely been a few walking days that my socks have gotten wet, and yes, it's pretty miserable (and I suspect led to some blisters for me, on at least a couple occasions). But overall, I just haven't walked in a ton of rain on any of my Camino's, so I find that a more breathable shoe is just worth the chance of having a day or two of wet feet. I've mostly walked the Norte in July (my first time I started around the last week of June), and while there has been some rain, it was never that bad (aside from my first day!). Maybe you train in the Targhee II a bit and see how your feet feel? My gut says that the water resistant model would be fine and maybe even better... but shoes are such individual things! As your daughter says, there is danger in over-thinking things!!
Big thank you Nadine! The Tanger II waterproof size 9 (the exact same size as my Targhee III Vent that fit sooo perfectly from the very start) arrived yesterday …but oh boy, the Targhee II Waterproof are NOT the same floor plane layout at all. The toebox is tighter on the sides and a hair shorter to the point where it hurt my little toes. Perhaps they will stretch as they are all leather. But I don’t want to take that chance if they don’t stretch. The leather is very thick. I put my Targhee III bottom to bottom with the Targhee II and it is indeed narrower. These are going back. While I will get the waterproof, because I believe the weather patterns are changing with perhaps more rain in early June, i’m going back to the Taghee III floor plan. The Targhee II waterproof are wonderful shoes, just not for my feet!!! I need that old tried and true Targhee III larger toebox where my toes can have a party without being crowded. I’m super super excited, this will be my first Camino and I can hardly breathe. I’m so excited. Some time ago I lived in Spain and I speak Spanish so it’s going to be paradise getting back to a land I never should have left ;~)
Hi Nadine. Question for your next Q&A. Me and my wife are going to walk the Portuguese central route in September. We are going to Lisbon first for a few days work for my wife, getting the train to Porto and starting from there. My question is how easy is it to send a bag back to UK from Portugal as we dont want to carry all of the work clothes and other non walking stuff on the actual camino. Love the channel.
Planning to walk the Camino Frances in May this year . Do you usually take a rest day in St jean De Port after flying in or do you start walking the next day ? I'm coming from Canada .
Hi Nadine. Another great video. I’m walking from Leon to Santiago in late April. I plan to fly into and out of Madrid. Do I need to book the train before I go (in each direction) or can that be done when I arrive?
It is not the size of the pack, it is how much you put in it and weight. I use my adored ULA circuit total 56 L and never a problem.
Great videos, very helpful! Could you please explain the importance of putting your backpack in a duffle bag to check it? Is it because it decreases the chances of someone getting into it? Or to protect the pack from damage? It seems the lightweight Ikea bag wouldn't help all that much in this regard. Thanks!
I think it helps protect the pack- mostly because of all the straps and pockets, it just covers it all and avoids things getting snagged, caught on something, ripped, etc. At least that's what I've always thought!
Hi Nadine! Thank you so much for all of your informative videos. I have a question for you: how is the quality of the water from the fountains on the camino? Have you noticed any weird taste or smells from the fountain water? I am quite sensitive to chlorinated tap water so was thinking of bringing a Grayl water filter, but it is quite heavy and bulky. Thanks again!
United was our only option if we didn’t want to switch airlines because they serviced our departure town. Completing the Norte, we flew to Bilbao then bus and Train to Irun. On the way home, we flew out of Porto. Since I spent several days in Porto, I’m going to fly in and out of Porto for my Upcoming Portuguese Camino.
Heard about the Camino for the first time in 2019 and ever since have been wanting to plan a trip (hopefully next year), but I was curious to know how you first heard about it and what pushed you in the direction to choose it as a destination/adventure.
Great question Bella, it's a long answer so I'll have to save it for when I do another Q&A video! Thank you for asking :) I hope you get on the Camino next year!!
Have you thought of doing the Via Jacobi (G4) through Switzerland over Geneva to La Puy?
I've met a couple pilgrims who have done this, so it's definitely on my radar! I've only walked from Le Puy to Moissac on the Chemin du Puy, so I haven't finished the route yet, and when I have time it would be great to start in Switzerland and then eventually reach Le Puy, and walk all the way to St Jean. That would be amazing!
I am planning to walk the camino in November and meet up with my husband and kids along the way. I need some tips on how to plan their trip. Do you have any resources or suggestions for me?
Greetings from Bulgaria! Once again a great video!
I was wondering, do you have a good book recommendation to reed while on Camino? Something that is connected with the route itself (indirectly as well). I know its a question that is hard to answer because it varies for the different people, but still, what is the book/s you would suggest? :))
Q: you mentioned in a previous video about a nice place that I think was in need of some maintenance but would be nice for a albergue in the hiking season and a writer's retreat in the winter I believe it was on the coast.
Would you care to show some pictures and location :) just dreaming I like the concept.
I just looked it up- it's a church (possibly part of an old monastery?) on the Camino del Norte, very close to Playa San Antolin. I think the church is called San Antolin de Bedon... on the stage between Llanes and Ribadesella!
Do they allow you to have tracking poles on airplane without checking the luggage?
Usualy not. Phone your airline to inquire.
Questions: I assume you use your cellular phone to take photos and make the videos. What's your process on saving the raw footage so you don't run out of memory on your phone and then later editing the footage? Do you use an external microphone, windscreen, special tripod or any other A/V equipment? Ever considered using a GoPro, Insta360 or some other camera? Thanks.
I can probably answer this question here, because the truth is, I haven't explored any extra equipment/tools when it comes to making these videos (at least, not yet! Something I want to branch into). I use my iPhone, and I pay for a lot of cloud storage so my footage gets backed up there and doesn't take up all the room on my phone. I probably need an even better system, but for now this has worked! But when I'm on the Camino, other than a selfie stick which I haven't used as much as I thought I would, it's just holding out the camera and recording! If I decide to step up the quality of these videos I'll want to explore other equipment, but right now I like the ease of it all :)
@@NadineWalks OK. Thanks. I'm pretty good with the old fashioned DSLR cameras but not very good taking photos with my iPhone. So I guess I'll have to start practicing... and looking into cloud storage. Thanks again.
Hi Nadine, I've just been watching your Portuguese coastal, could you tell me what dates in April last year you walked? I'm going this April and wondering if the central might be the better option if its a rainy month and obviously the coast will be worse for wind and rain. I enjoy watching your camino videos
I walked April 8th-14th! You might be able to play it by ear, and keep an eye on the weather forecast and see which might be the better option as your dates approach. That first day of walking for me was the worst, and while I DID get a bit of rain on a few other days, it wasn't so bad! Good luck deciding!
I’m doing the central route starting around April 20. Since it’s Spring, I’m expecting rain and wind. I’m assuming it will be less windy on the central route.
The climate change impact of flying is largely from the ascent- all the power needed to fight gravity. So taking the bus/train for the last leg vs adding on one little flight to get to your final destination meaningfully reduces the carbon impact of the travel.
Nadine...is Google translate ok or is it more of a hassle to the waiters etc.? for communication
I’m really surprised you get your back pack on as “ Carry On” I realize it’s not that heavy but can be bulky . I have this vision of you jumping on it to get it to fit in the airport size checking thingy . Any more thoughts on this would be great as it’s much better than losing it as Checked Baggage . Cheers
Haha, I haven't had to jump on my pack to get it down to size... not yet anyway! On all my Caminos I've never had a problem with taking the pack as a carry-on... sometimes while I'm walking it DOES get bulky, but that's when I'm carrying lots of food and water. When I fly, I only have a 16-ounce water bottle with me (when I arrive in Europe I pick up a larger water bottle as backup to keep in my pack). So mostly I think my stuff fits in the pack well, even with some extra room! It's also a smaller pack- just 24-liters- so that's important too.
Thank you
can you camp out in a tent on the camino?
Hi is there a bike cycle route that one can take etc.
Hi Brendan! Yes, pilgrims do cycle the Camino, and there should be information out there to help you plan. Unfortunately I don’t know much off the top of my head since I’ve never looked into it… but the Camino forum (you can Google that) is an excellent resource. You also might want to try Efren Gonzalez’s videos here on RUclips, he’s also cycled it!
We love the Camino but did not enjoy the Portuguese central route. To much Roman roads.
Have u made a video on your favorite albugues? On monasteries that may have separate beds for males and females. How to adjust to sleeping in same room with males...yucky
I haven't made a video of favorite albergues, but I've walked so many routes that I have favorites all over! And it's been 9 years since I've walked (the entire) Francés, and I know that many places may have changed in that time. But it's a good idea to maybe include a few that I've enjoyed! And there are a few albergues that will separate men and women, but I think if you don't adjust to sharing space with everyone, it's always an option to go with private rooms.
@@NadineWalks
Luv your videos and admire your freedom to walk your own walk. Bless your heart for sharing and inspiring women.. I'm 63 and plan to do the Frances next year, solo., going to take my time and enjoy the camino...Viva la Libertad!
These Q&A videos are great! A couple of years ago I followed this couple's Camino Frances journey (their 120 minute doco is worth the watch.)... and via those I came across your channel. They are setting off again... and this time doing the Portuguese... just thought it might be of interest to you. Cheers! ruclips.net/video/kNOcFZEqfu8/видео.html
You are very pretty!
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