Day 39

Oddball/random packing MVPs

Packing videos for the Camino are like 50% of YouTube right now. Even the most basic will get like a gillion views, it’s crazy! So after you watch all those videos, which basically all say the same stuff by the way, here’s some extra stuff to jam in your pack:

Binder clips - These are great for so many things and I am so glad I packed four of them! They can close up a chip bag, snap a still-damp piece of laundry to the back of your pack to dry as you walk, and also serve as a clothes pin at an albergue that doesn’t have enough for everyone.

A single random shoelace - I have no idea where this came from but I used it almost every day. As I got more and more stuff, I had to clip more of it I to the outside of my pack and it kept flapping around. The extra shoelace helped me tie stuff together or tie it down so everything was more stable.

Ibprophen gel - You can buy this at any farmacia when you get here. Smear it on anything that hurts!

Tiny hotel soaps - If you happen to stay at a hotel or two on the way, they always give you one or two more of the tiny soaps than you need. Pocket those little extras because a good number of Camino bathrooms (and albergue bathrooms) do not provide hand soap. I always carried a few extra of these little guys in my cargo pockets and left them in various Camino bathrooms to benefit the general population.

Reusable shopping bag - Europeans just don’t go thru plastic like Americans do and the shop-keeps will expect you to have your own bag. It’s the default here. It also makes for bonus storage you can tie on the back of your pack for days you just cannot make everything fit.

Mini security system - This depends on your comfort level and your plans for housing. Most pilgrims stay in a combination of dorms (a dozen people to a room or so) and then occasionally in a solo hostel room or family-run guesthouse when they need a break. I travel a lot by myself and it gives me peace of mind to travel with a tiny doorstop alarm that goes BANANAS if a door is opened on top of it. It’s light weight, only takes one battery, and won’t go off in your pack as long as you remember to put a piece of tape over the on/off switch. You will only forget this the one time :-)

Fanny pack/belly bag - Some of the videos recommend these but some don’t and I am so passionate about having one, especially if you are traveling solo, that I’m putting it on the list! Having one of these means your most important items (credential with your Camino stamps, money, phone, passport) is literally on you at all times. There was not necessarily someone around all the time to watch my pack if I left it for a few minutes, so I’m really glad I had one. Also, a lot of packs have the water holsters too far back so you cant reach them, especially if you’re petite. The front mini pack solves this issue.

Hand cream that means business - I know it’s weird but my hands got tore up on this trek! I think it might be all the zippers, harsh weather, being outside all the time, or a combo of everything but just don’t forget your hands. After alL your cuticles are frayed to tiny fringe you will wish you would have taken care of them better. Everyone knows that their feet are going to take a beating, but hands are working hard too.

IPad or similar - This is a true luxury item so if this blog had a comments section I’m sure the site would crash out of spite traffic. I loved having it though, which is kind of weird because it’s the first time I’ve ever really used a tablet regularly in my life. Packing the IPad meant I could have THREE guidebooks, as well as *real* books, which as you are not surprised to know, I cannot live without.

I will add to this list as I think of more random stuff!