I'm off to Madrid

John the Wonderful, the best roommate in the world, dragged himself out of his warm bed at 2 am this morning to give me a ride to the Portland airport.

First thing I did was check in where I learned it was a good thing I had prepared my pacer poles for checking, as they were not allowed in the flight. 

Next thing was to find coffee and a whole bunch of us were unhappy to find out nothing opened until 4 am!

So my bags and I sat down at the nearest Starbucks and waited. 

Soon, there was coffee. Hooray!

My flight was full but I had paid for seats and priority boarding so it was a snap. Soon I was settled in my seat with my normal 'flying hear' put on. 

I actually felt ok when we arrived in Dallas. I had booked a Minute Suite for the long layover, after calling and being assured it was fragrance free. 

But guess what. 

It was NOT!

In fact, within a short time I was overwhelmed by the scent of highly perfumed laundry product and discovered, to my horror, a busy laundry room just doors from my tiny suite. 

It's a long story but in the end I had to get the hell out of there. They charged me for the one hour I was there, which I thought was bull pucky, but I was feeling too sick to argue. 

Here is a selfie of Annie after being exposed to fragranced laundry detergent. Not a pretty sight. 

Look at those swollen eyes.  Aren't they lovely!?  

I am now at my gate with three more hours to wait, trying not to focus on the migraine that is beginning to raise its ugly head in the background. I'm chugging strong coffee and I've washed out my nose and I've taken three ibuprofen. Sometimes if I catch the exposure early I can head off the worse symptoms. 

I'm praying my head will clear. If not, and if this blows up into a full exposure episode, I do have two nights booked in Madrid so if I have to, I can stay in bed. But I'm feeling positive. 

 I have a 9 hour flight ahead of me and it's an overnight flight. I'm looking forward to walking the Camino Mozarabe from Malaga. 

I'm a little scared my pack is too heavy and I'm not in shape. But I'll take it slow and steady. The terrain is stunning. 

I guess that's it. I'll check in tomorrow once o arrive in Madrid. 

Hasta luego!

Annie

Camino Malaga (Semi) Final Packing List

For those of you who saw my 11 pound pack,

I spoke too soon.

Now that I have packed EVERYTHING I'll need

for my Malaga to Cordoba Camino,

my Camino Frances,

and my Camino Madrid,

my bag weighs a whopping 14 pounds!

I weigh 160,

so this still leaves 2 pounds for water 

which equals about a liter,

and I rarely carry that much water.

So I'm pretty happy.

And.. I may dump some of this

when I get to Madrid

or send it ahead for the Camino Frances walk.

I did bring an iPad 4 tablet,

which shocked even me,

since I don't like carrying electronics.

But I felt it would be easier with my group,

and who knows,

at the last minute, I may decide to leave it behind.

Or not.

It's the one item that is driving me mad...

So.. here it all is piled on the table...

In the box are my Pacer Poles

I would never have taken my Pacer Poles to do the Camino Frances alone.

But looking at the maps and the blogs on the Camino Malaga

made me realize I would need them.

The first three days on the Malaga route 

look like the first 8 kilometers on the SJPP to Orisson route!

So they're going,

but I'll check them.

Here is what is now in my pack:

My ALTUS Poncho in a nysil bag

Here is my Laundry/Bath bag and what is inside is:

hiker's wool

rubber clothesline

deodorant (in red container)

sleep mask, earplugs, and tiny light

1 container with safety pins and 2 plugs adaptors

1 container with soap

scrubby washcloth for my face/body

Next is my sun/cold weather bag. 

It will be HOT on this route during the day,

but COLD at night, 

so I had to add some items:

Sun Arms to keep the sun off

"Cold" weather stuff

Gloves, microfiber hat, microfiber buff, 

and a LONG BIG but very lightweight scarf for walking in the sun.

Next is my clothing bag.

A compressible Eagle Creek Bag.

Inside are the following:

Macabi skirt

short sleeved merino wool tee

long sleeved merino wool tee

merino wool longjohn shirt

3 panties

2 socks

2 bras

and I stuffed my new flip flops in there for the flight

Clothes and flip flops

Next is my medicine kit, which contains:

surgical tape

q-tips

gel toe covers

Compeed

2 silicone toe spacers

12 ibuprofin

12 benedryl

12 melatonin

6 monolaurin/olive leaf pills

1/3 tube of miconazrole nitrate (in case of athlete's foot)

1/3 tube of Voltarén (ibuprofen cream)

2 flumuicil tablets

3 flumil packets for chest congestion

1 tiny tin of tiger balm

expanding washcloth

First Aid

Top of pack

In the top of the pack I'll carry 

mustard packets (for cramps)

tiny container of vinegar

tiny container of salt

extra bite valve (not going now)

extra tips for trekking poles

Top of Pack

I'll also carry bus tickets and paperwork for my group,

my Credential,

walking booklet for group trip,

some freeze dried fruit packets

and packets of Starbucks VIA.

I made a lightweight container for my new iPad Mini

out of bubble envelopes.

It weighs less than the cover that came with it,

and will protect it better.
(I'm having last-minute waffling about whether or not I'll take it)

On the plane I'll carry a nysil pack 

(good for shopping in Spain where they do NOT give you sacks)

with the following:

A snuggie that I cut the arms and hood off.

I get cold on the flight,

and this can be dumped in Madrid.

Cut off snuggie

My dry sack goes inside the nysil pack and contains

things I need for the flight:

sleepmask (not shown)

nose spray

hand gel

lip balm

toothbrush/paste (not shown)

cough drops

kleenex

and a wee tin of ben gay

( I use it to block the smell of perfumes)

I'm also taking this fan - useful in the hot south

I'm wearing:

Macabi skirt

merino wool tee

merino wool leggings

merino wool socks

trekking shoes

and in my pocket I'll carry

my passport,

my purple purse with credit cards,

my ticket,

my bullet journal and a pen

which I need for the group walk

(it's my brain)

And that is IT!

Holy COW!

There are moments I feel
like my pack is too heavy at 14 pounds,

but know myself.

I can adjust and ship a few items ahead to Pamplona,

once I arrive and settle into my hotel.

Ok.. time to call and book the taxi for 2:30 am.

I hope you'll follow me!

Love,

Annie

The Camino Malaga and Some Changes in Plans

A map of the various Camino Routes. See Malaga in the far south?

Well, it's just 1.5 more sleeps until I leave for Madrid, 

and I'm frantically running around trying to tie up

last minute ends.

I've made some pretty big changes in plans 

in the last few days

based on information from pilgrims who 

are on the Camino right now, 

including the Madrid route,

which was where I was headed.

Rain, snow, sleet, driving cold wind,

all of these adjectives have caused me to 

rethink my training walk.

My walking partner and I have parted ways.

She will be doing the Camino Frances,

despite the cold weather (she's used to it)

and I will dropping down into Malaga 

to walk where it's sunny and 75 degrees!

Along with the change in walking route,

I'm thinking about making some changes in what I'll carry.

Since it will be fairly warm

I'm wondering if I should take my own advice.

I'm unsure if I will need my PUFF jacket.

I may leave my PUFF jacket behind,

and just take my men's felted cashmere sweater

for warmth.

PUFF Jacket may be staying home

Cashmere Sweater may be going

It's roomier (more space for heat)

and I can layer it over my

wool longjohns, 

a longsleeve wool shirt,

and even a short sleeve wool shirt

if it gets REALLY cold.

And if I need to

I can buy something there.

Plus it really compacts down small

and I can wear it on the flight.

I always get cold on those flights.

I just don't know . . . still mulling that over.

Next, I've decided NOT to take 

the nice new pink towel I bought.

I'm going to take the green striped one

that Patty Moak gave me instead.

It's lighter by several ounces

and I'm trying to justify the weight of my new iPad.

Oh yes, thats the other thing.

I've never taken a tablet,

but I will this year.

An iPad mini.

I've caved to technology.

So.

My Camino has begun,

and is already throwing me curves!

Isn't that just the way it goes?

I will leave on Thursday morning for Madrid,

arriving  Friday the 15th at 9 am.

I will stay 2 nights in Madrid to adjust to the time change.

Sunday, the 17th, I take a train south

to Malaga

where I'm pretty sure I'll be walking

through endless olive orchards, 

and scaling those mountains you see in the background 

of the picture below:

Malaga

I hope to see some history!

I've heard the trees just go on and on and on . . .

Málaga is in the southern part of the southernmost region of Spain

I know the Andalusian accent is going to be difficult, 

sort of like going to Oklahoma from California. 

I also know you're pretty much forced to slow down 

your pace of living there - 

which will be fine with me! 

Many people call Andalusia the "lazy" part of Spain. 

But I think the people are smart to slow down and enjoy life! 

Plus, I will be forced to go slow 

because this route has some VERY steep ups and downs. 

Hopefully, I'll do ok. 

We'll see. 

If it gets to be too difficult, 

I'll pop somewhere else. 

In the end, I really don't care where I walk

 - I just need to train for a couple of weeks. 

So I'll keep everyone posted.

Ok.. I've got a ton of things to decide 

and do before tomorrow.

Buen Camino!

Annie

What We Do

The video below
 is one of the most beautiful videos 

on the Camino 

I have seen in a while.

When friends and relatives ask, 

"What do you DO on the Camino?" 

this should explain it a bit better.

To me, in 2016, 

walking the Camino is a lot 

like going to Woodstock was 

for hippies in the 60's.  

It is a Rite of Passage. 

It is a place of comradery. 

You meet people, tell them you were there, 

and they exclaim, 'I did it too!" 

and suddenly you are family. 

You understand each other.

I have a deep respect 

and a great love for the Camino.

It has healed me on so many levels.

It continues to heal pilgrims.

It will heal you too.

You will find answers on the Camino, 

if you don't take things 

that distract you from thinking.

One step in front of the other, 

under the blue skies, 

the thunderclouds, 

the rain, 

the snow, 

and the stars... 

one step in front of the other 

while the wind blows the dross from your mind 

and makes you realize 

how cluttered your life has become.

When you return home, 

you know how happy a person can be 

with just what can be carried on the back.

You are like a snail

 - with your home on your back - 

and it's liberating!

Don't let people discourage you.

You can do it.

Just show your worried relatives this video
posted below.

Then go.

Buen Camino!

Annie

"Plugging In" while on the Camino

On Facebook, there has been some confusion about whether or not you need a voltage converter on the Camino, or whether a simple plug adaptor will work.

Here is a quick lesson on plugging in on the Camino.

VOLTAGE:

Different countries use different voltages and frequencies of electricity. If you plug your American device that is not rated for the outlet's voltage, even if the plug fits, you could damage the device.

Electrical sockets in the United Stages usually supply electricity at between 110 and 120 volts.

Spain, France and Portugal, where most pilgrims walk have sockets that supply electricity at 220 volts, much higher than ours.

Almost all chargers for phones, laptops, and tablets are dual voltage. You can find out by looking closely at the plug. For instance, ALL Apple devices are dual voltage. Here is a photo of mine. If you look closely you will see it states "INPUT 100-240V."

Rated between 100-240

The ones above state they are rated between 100-240.This means it will also work for any voltage between those two. So it will work for 100 volts and it will also work for 220 volts.

If your device is rated for use within the voltage of the country you are visiting, then all you need is a plug adapter shaped like the receptacle in that country.

The United States has plug receptacles shaped like this:



or this if the receptacle is grounded:



Spain uses a receptacle and plug like the one below:



France's receptacles have a "ground prong,"



but it is safe to bypass it with the same adapter you use in Spain:

Plug adapter for Spain

If your device does NOT automatically convert the voltage, then you will need a voltage converter similar to the ones below. But I promise you, not many people will be using hair dryers or curling irons on the Camino:

You can purchase the plugs from the Rick Steves Travel Store for $1.
That's right, ONE DOLLAR so don't go spending a bundle. Click on this link:

PLUG ADAPTER

Be very careful when purchasing a voltage converter. You will need to know specifically what voltage your appliance uses. You don't want to blow up your older laptop or tablet. Check to be sure what voltage you will need to convert to.

Hair dryers and curling irons need a higher voltage converter than some items, and it's almost cheaper just to buy a small travel version like these from Amazon that already have dual voltage built in:



Dual voltage travel hair dryer




Travel curling iron

I hope this helps you understand what you need.

Bottom line, unless you are planning on taking a very old appliance, all you most likely need is a plug adapter. These can be purchased on Amazon, on the Rick Steves website, at any travel store, and in China Stores and other stores all along the Camino.  They're cheap so buy two. People are ALWAYS forgetting to unplug them when they're finished using them.

Buen Camino!
Annie

Getting Around In Madrid

An experienced pilgrim who has all the answers concerning transport in Madrid has posted this information and I am shamelessly stealing it because it is of great value to the pilgrim.  Thank you Whariwharangi!


***

"Shared wisdom ... there is no way you will make it from flight arrival to train departure in the time specified.

Si yo fuera tu ... plan to take a later train."

Here is information for your time appreciation:

Getting around in Madrid

The airport in Madrid is called Barajas (MAD). There are 4 terminals. T1, T2, and T3 are located in one building. T4 and T4S are connected by an Automatic People Mover train. There is a shuttle service that connects all terminals.

Madrid Airport (MAD)
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Madrid-Barajas/en/

Connections to Madrid include Metro, EMT bus, and light rail transit Cercanias.

The Metro has stations at T1-T2-T3 and at T4. The trains run every 6 - 12 minutes. Take Metro line 8 from airport T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Nuevos Ministerios; line 10 to Tribunal; and, line 1 to Renfe Atocha.

Cercanias has a station at T4 and trains run every 30 minutes. Take the Cercanias train from T4 direct to Puerta de Atocha.

EMT Madrid operates a bright yellow express bus every 13 -20 minutes from the airport T1-T2-T3 and airport T4 to Puerta de Atocha with two stops enroute.

Madrid Metro
http://www.metromadrid.es/en/index.html

Madrid Metro Map
http://www.metromadrid.es/export/sites/metro/comun/documentos/planos/Planomayo2013.pdf

Madrid Cercanias (operated by Renfe). Cercanias trains go direct to Chamartin station and Puerta de Atocha station.
http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/cercanias/madrid/index.html

EMT Madrid Airport Express - Airport to Puerta de Atocha
http://www.emtmadrid.es/lineaAeropuerto/index.html

Puerta de Atocha Renfe Station Madrid
http://www.adif.es/es_ES/infraestructuras/estaciones/60000/informacion_000070.shtml