This is my fourth Camino and each trip I’ve started out on my own and met new friends and acquaintances along the way. This has been a source of great joy and adventure and I have no regrets or concerns about traveling on my own. But, when my dear friend Susie asked me if I’d mind some company on this Camino, I jumped at the chance to travel with her! I’m sure I’ll be sharing more about her, how we met, and insights into what makes someone a great travel buddy – but that’s not this post.
Each trip, 40 Days Out, I’ve posted a comprehensive pack list. This one varies from the other pack lists because I know what the August weather in Spain was like from last trek and have made some adjustments to what I’m taking, based on my prior experience, to simplify further. Also, the fact that I’ll have a travel buddy this trip plays into a few items on my pack list.
Last year’s list is here: 40 Days Out: Pack List – More Later From Elsewhere Rather than re-listing every item here, I’ll just write about what’s different.
Items I took last time but am LEAVING AT HOME this trip:
- Small item to leave at the Cruz de Ferro. Typically it’s a stone or an item of some significance. This trip we won’t be traveling the Camino Frances and there isn’t, to my knowledge, a similar spot on the Camino Portuguese – so no need to pack a memento.
- Small pack torch. The one I used last year was so faint that it was almost useless. I won’t be replacing it with an actual torch either as Susie is bringing a powerful clip-on trail light, which should be sufficient for us to find our way in the dark when we head out early…which I’m sure we will!
- Misc. toiletries. I’ve heard that when you overpack, you pack your fears. Last year my toiletries bag was too heavy. I took too many ‘just in case’ medications. Apparently, I’m afraid of being caught somewhere without all of the drugs and balms. Portugal and Spain have excellent pharmacies. Law there prevents a pharmacist from owning more than one pharmacy, so the pharmacist goes all-in on making their pharmacy the best they can and providing excellent customer service. If I need any of these items, I can stop in and pick it up pretty easily. These items include, to name a few:
- Toothpaste tablets. (I’m subbing in regular toothpaste). Last trip I started out with tablets but after about a week of trying them, I realized it was like chewing chalk and my teeth never actually felt clean. I finally left them (on purpose) at an Albergue and stopped by the local pharmacy for a small tube of regular toothpaste. Won’t make that mistake again!
- Aloe vera lotion. Taking lots of sunscreen. If I get sunburned, it will be worth popping into a pharmacy for this item.
- Water purification tablets. The last two Caminos, I didn’t use the water purification tablets once. Spain and Portugal went to great effort and expense to make sure that residents have access to clean water, both in their homes and in public areas.
- Extra doses of ‘just in case’ medication. Rather than taking even small bottles of misc. medications for things I might not even need which, cumulatively, weigh a lot – I’m taking a couple single-use packets and will stop by a pharmacy if I need anything additional.
NEW THIS TRIP, in some respect:
- Kavu Essentials Case. Swapping out a black waist pack / bum bag that carried my essential documents last time for a Kavu Essentials Case. I carried that bum bag constantly like a cross-body bag the entire hike. Slept next to it. Took it into the shower area to keep an eye on it. This time I’m using a slim bag that is intended to be worn as a cross-body bag. kavu essentials – Search Results | Steep & Cheap Holds my passport, a bank card, some cash, guidebook, and my Pilgrim’s credential. Also, slightly more city-friendly. I know I’ll still look like a tourist, but hopefully less so.
- 3 pr. Darn Tough merino wool socks. Made from lightweight, breathable wool. Cushioned on the bottoms for comfort. Last year I took 2 pr. Darn Tough merino wool socks and one pr. LLBean ragg wool socks. While ragg wool offers plenty of cushion, for the Portuguese coast in August, it’s just going to be too bulky and hot. So, this year – I’m all-in on Darn Tough.
- Swimsuit. Always essential – it’s something I pack regardless of where I’m going …because…you just never know. This time we’ll be walking the first week along the Portuguese coast – north toward Spain. I might want to stop for a dip in the ocean if we have time and the weather permits. So, what varies this trip is that I’m taking a modest 2-piece to make changing discreetly on the beach more of an option.
- 1 pr. summer pjs. As I’ll be hiking with my friend, we might very well end up in a shared room to save on expenses. It would be great on those occasions to have pjs.
- Pilgrim’s Passport. Can also have been purchased in Lisbon or Porto– but I ordered Susie and myself each a credential while in the States. Home – American Pilgrims on the Camino I provided them our registration information and a nominal donation to help with postage. They arrived within a few weeks.
- New guidebook. Camino Portugues by Matthew Harms, Anna Dintaman, and David Landis. I was a bit disappointed when this book first arrived from Amazon. I’ve purchased Camino Frances books from the same authors and those books were much more robust, offering a lot of background information regarding various towns, sites, and cultural aspects along the way. This book is very thin and doesn’t provide the detail of the other books. However, I realized it will still be beneficial to have the route on paper, as there are several variants which could make our daily destination a bit confusing. Susie and I are taking the Coastal Route (instead of the Central) and, on day 10 are adding a 3-day variant path called “Espiritual”.
Items to SHIP TO TRAIL’S END:
The Camino inter-city system offers a service that allows pilgrims to check parcels ahead to Santiago. I’m using this system for the first time, as Susie and I will be heading to Greenbelt Arts Festival in England for a few days after Santiago – then on to Iceland!
- 1 pair black ballet flats
- 1 pair Levi’s blue jeans
- A few British pounds
- 2 weeks’ supply of my prescribed supplements. No need to carry the full month’s worth in my pack – it’s not extremely heavy, but it all adds up!
I might be wanting a cotton t-shirt to wear during the time in England – but I’m confident that one will be available in Portugal, Spain, or England. No need to pack one from home.
Questions welcome, always. Thank you for joining me!
More Later…