Camino de Santiago and How I Packed

You don’t need a spork. You don’t need a tent. You don’t need your electronics! (except for your phone and charger).

Here’s a photo of the backpack I carried from village to village as I walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain. For those who don’t know, it’s an ancient pilgrimage that leads to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. The walk from Southern France — St. Jean Pied de Port — to Santiago de Compostela is roughly 500 miles. It’s an experience. One I recommend, and anyone can do it — in their own way.

Fortunately, transportation and pack services — moving your gear forward — are available, and you can learn about these with a little online research.

As a 55-year-old overweight chick with all sorts of reasons not to do such a walk, I did fine. I needed a week or so of getting used to distance-walking day in and day out.

Preparation beforehand helped me. I hiked a local park nonstop, eight-mile hikes, but nothing prepares you for walking the Camino. It’s a push.

What Should I Take?

Here’s what you’ll need to stay comfortable. Your mileage may vary! (in more ways than one), but this are things I found useful.

• 32–40 liter backpack. Find one with good outside pockets for your water.
• Money belt. Always have it on you, especially in albuergue (hostel) showers. Put it on the hook. You’ll find one, or get creative putting it around your neck!
• Comfortable and broken-in hiking runners / trail shoes. You don’t need boots, but I hiked in Vasque boots, helpful in rain and weather. You aren’t on fashion parade. Are your shoes ugly? don’t worry about it.You don’t need them a size bigger, in my opinion. Some have argued with me. I’ve always purchased my size, with no care in the world that my feet are size 10 to size 11. If shoes make my feet look big, I don’t care. If you’re that person who buys a size smaller, just stop.
• I use hiking poles, but if you take them, you’ll always have to check your pack.
• I always use a fanny pack, or a bum bag. Don’t say fanny pack around the Brits or Aussies, as fanny means “female anatomy” and they will go on and on about it. Fanny packs are for nerds. Sign me up. I found them handy, but never for passport or credit cards. Those go in money belt.
• Sunscreen, pain-reliever of some sort (especially for the first week), your medications with extra, photocopies of passport and credit cards, along with photocopies of prescription medications. Put these in a plastic bag in the bottom of your pack.
• A merino wool t shirt, wear it. A long sleeved merino wool or other hiking shirt. In pack.
• A pair of quick-dry pants or tights. I prefer tights. Hiking in summer? consider zip-off pant legs. You can get these pants at any outdoor store. Are you a large woman? Shop in the men’s department. Don’t be shy about it.
• REI is a great outdoor store for purchases, as you can return items easily if they don’t work out.
• Two pair of underwear, no more. You can only wear one at a time. You don’t need more.
• Two or three pairs of merino wool socks, or try the Darn Tough kind. Something that dries easily.
• A down puffer coat or fleece that packs up. A rain jacket, or rain poncho. I liked my turquoise fleece for nights, after I’d walked and wanted to feel the hug of a warm blanket. A rain hat with a brim is good too.
• Sunglasses. Sunscreen. Chapstick
• Phone and charger, with a converter for Europe (for Spain). Readily available online. Many people recommend a converter with three or four plug-ins, so you can make friends in the albuerges!
• I changed some USD to euros before I flew from Portland, OR to Spain, just so I’d have money in my pocket. You can change money when you land.
• Don’t forget to get ahold of credit card companies and let them know you’re traveling! Be excited and tell them about it, ha ha! But call them. Don’t forget.
• Extra money. Put some extra money in the bottom of your pack in case of emergency. In fact, I usually tucked ten euros in my front pants pocket so I’d never have to pull out a money belt when stopping for coffee. Or beer! or the delicious chocolate croissants, or lovely bacon bocadillos.
• I brought some small, inexpensive gifts for people. Bookmarks, thread bracelets. You don’t have to do this, but some people will shine. It’s fun to give stuff.

I know I’ve forgotten something here, but you get the idea.

What Should I Leave Behind?

• An attitude of entitlement isn’t a good thing to pack. Try to assume a grateful spirit, even if you have to work at it a little.
• Complaints about Spain, and comparisons to your home country. Enjoy a different culture.
• You won’t need a spork! (spoon-fork thing). That said, some people love them.
• Leave behind your anger, or walk it out on the trail.
• Leave behind a competitive nature, if possible. Some people race others to get a bed at night. Enjoy your time.
• You don’t need bluetooth speakers. Don’t be that noisy person playing music aloud as you walk.

Your aim is to STOP thinking about all the stuff we surround ourselves with, and travel light, ever so light. Leave no trace. Walk in grace. Be kind. You don’t need the trappings of society.

When you’re on your third mile, and morning has broken, when grape leaves are turning orange with autumn’s color, you’ll thank me for this advice. You won’t be in pain with a heavy pack!

I’m attaching a photo. An acquaintance on social media saw it and said, “Oh, honey! you need a YOU day! You need a facial, and oh — you look so tired!”

This was entirely a “me day.”

I was as happy as I’ve ever been in my life.

I was on an amazing adventure, and like a turtle, carried everything on my back. I was slow (also like a turtle), but I moved my carcass of flesh from one side of Spain to the other in forty-one days. Not bad for an old lady!