The Dreaded Pilgrim Ankles

Golfer's Vasculitis

Each and every time I walk the Camino,

after a few days,

especially in hot weather,

I get a strange rash on my ankles,

right at the top of my socks.

I've come to expect it 

and am here to tell you

not to worry.

It's common

and it will resolve on its own.

It is not itchy or painful.

But it IS alarming to see.

The rash is caused by tiny blood vessels 

breaking under your skin.

This might be due to heat,

but is more likely due to the 6 hours of walking

carrying a heavy pack

that your body is not used to.

You can lighten your load,

walk less, 

or do nothing,

and it will resolve on its own.

Sometimes I rub it with alcohol.

Sometimes I do nothing.

But it's just one of those Camino things.

Here are some photos.

On the route from Lourdes

On the VDLP

The rash has a name.

Here is a bit I found online:

Go to any multi-day walking event in the summer and you will see a red heat rash on the calves of many walkers. The heat rash often starts above the sock line and makes red patches and splotches up the calf. It usually doesn't itch and is believed to be heat-related, since these same walkers don't get it in cooler weather. What is it?

Golfer's Vasculitis

Ask most physicians about this common rash and they draw a blank. That is probably due to few people seeking medical help for it. The rash usually clears up in a couple of days, usually before they are able to get an doctor's appointment. At last, a paper in the Australasian Journal of Dermatology has described it and proposed naming it "golfer's vasculitis."

Causes of the Heat Leg Rash

Researchers interviewed several people with the rash and discovered that many underwent extensive allergy testing because they believed they must have been having a reaction to some chemical or plant. But it was simply an irritation of the blood vessels following prolonged exercise in the heat, such as walking for extended periods or playing 18 holes of golf.

The rash is more common in people over 50. Most walkers can't pinpoint anything new they have used that may be causing a reaction. And since so many walkers have it, they couldn't all have contacted the same irritant. The source is simply heat and age--your leg blood vessels getting irritated from the heat.

Prevention and Treatment of Golfer's Vasculitis

The research offered no treatment or prevention recommendations. It seems to occur in healthy, active people. The researchers suggest it should not be a health concern and recommend not getting allergy testing, etc.

So don't worry.


Just put your feet up and love them a bit.


This will go away.


I promise.

Passport Information

Here is the latest information on PASSPORTS:

You should have at least six-month’s validity remaining on your passport whenever you travel abroad.

If not, YOU MAY NOT BE ADMITTED INTO THE COUNTRY. 

Check the expiration date on your passport carefully before traveling to Europe – especially children’s passports, which are valid five years, not 10 years like those issued to U.S. citizens aged 16 and older.

Carry your passport when traveling to another country in the Schengen area. Even if there is no border check at that time, officials may reinstate border controls without notice.
***

And remember, the Passport CARD you get for MEXICO is not enough. You need the full Passport Booklet Document. In the USA, it has a blue cover with pages inside to be stamped as you enter and exit each country.

XEROX your Passport - Do it now
We suggest you make a Xerox copy of your passport and carry it in a safe place apart from your money. An even better idea is to scan it and email it to yourself. This way, if you do lose your passport, it makes getting another much easier. 

Also, write down the customer service numbers for your credit card companies and keep those in your journal or email them to yourself. You can find small blank journals at any office supply store. They are very handy to keep your notes organized. Some have a pocket in the jacket where you can keep your passport and credit card info. 

I also have a Password Safe program that requires a password, where I keep such information on my phone.

Money on the Camino

When my friend arrived in Spain for the first time,

her fare was €2 and she "tipped" the taxi driver 

the "quarters"

which amounted to about €8!!

When I arrived in Portugal the first time,

I paid the taxi driver €20 for a €2 fare.

For many, learning to use Euros takes a few days.

The money looks different.

Why not do some studying 

BEFORE you leave for Europe.

Here are what Euros look like.

BILLS.  

The bills are not too difficult. 

They are clearly marked and in colors! 

 When you take €300 from an ATM machine, 

you generally will get one €100, two €50, 

and five €20 bills. 

Albergues and tiny tiendas are not going to want 

to change your €100 bills, 

so try to get them exchanged 

in a large supermarket or bank.

Many albergues and tiendas

still will NOT take credit cards.

They operate on a cash-only basis.

Private albergues will sometimes take cards,

as will hotels.

So if you're booking hotels, 

a credit card is fine.

COINS.  

Here is a photo of American coins next to Euro coins.

As you can see, 

both the ONE EURO and the fifty cent EURO 

are approximately the same size as our American quarter.

The TWO EURO coin is larger.

The colors are different also, so pay attention.

Study these now so you don't make mistakes later.

The ONE EURO will become easy to recognize because it is two-toned.

USING ATM MACHINES

There are ATM machines all along the Camino,
beginning in the airport when you arrive.
As soon as I get through customs,
I find an ATM in the airport 

and withdraw 200 to 300 Euros.
This will hold me for about a week or 10 days.

In the 17 years I've been walking the Camino,
I've never found it difficult to obtain Euros
in the airport from the ATM.

I do NOT purchase Euros from a seller in the airport.
I use the ATM

In the airport, there are security guards everywhere,
so you're as safe there as anywhere at home.

On the streets of busy cities,
I'm a little more cautious when I take out my cash.
Places I'd be cautious would be Pamplona,
Burgos, Leon, and maybe Santiago.
You're pretty safe in the smaller villages.
Just be aware of your surroundings.

It is good practice to have a friend stand with you 

while you take out your cash. 

Before you begin, 

study where the cash will come out 

and keep your hand ready

to retrieve both your card and your cash.

If anybody appears to be standing too close 

or to be watching you, be wary.

Also beware of locals who want to "help" you -
they've been known to grab and run.

These are usually children or young people.

But I had an adult man try the "bird poop" scam 

on me in Barcelona,

so adults are also culprits.

When you take your cash out of the ATM, 

DO NOT PUT IT AWAY IN PUBLIC!

Hold it in your hot little hand until you find privacy.

Immediately go to a bathroom or to your room 

and put the cash into your money belt IN PRIVATE.

ATMs are watched closely by gypsies, 

especially in the larger cities. 

Not so much to worry about in smaller villages.

I never take cash from the ATM on a weekend.

I've seen cards get eaten 

and then the person is stuck until Monday, 

when the bank opens.

When possible, 

I use the ATMS 

where you go into a little private cubicle.

CALL YOUR BANK 

The week before you leave for Spain 

be sure to call your bank

and tell them you will be traveling 

in France (SJPP) and Spain. 

Make a note right now on your calendar to do this!

Otherwise, the first time you try to use your card, 

they will think someone has stolen it and will block it 

and you'll be stuck in a foreign country with no money.

 And considering the time change, 

calling your bank to straighten this out 

can be a huge problem.

PIN NUMBERS. 

ATM machines in Spain use 

the 4 digit NUMERAL system. 

If your pin uses letters, 

you will not be able to use 

most ATM machines in Spain.

Most ATM machines in Spain 

work just like the ones at home. 

You put in your card, type in your pin number, 

and choose the amount you want. 

Most have English options.

BUYING EUROS AHEAD OF TIME.  

I did this the first time I walked the Camino 

but I never do this anymore.

I go to Spain every year, sometimes twice, 

and I never take Euros.

Every international airport 

will have ATM machines inside.

The Madrid airport has several on different floors.

I've never had a problem getting Euros.

Again, if you DO want to take Euros, 

I suggest no more than €200-€300 to begin with.

That will last you a week on the Camino.

ATM FEES

I use Charles Schwab online bank for my travel.

They issue me a card that I can use anywhere and 

I PAY NO FEES.

If a bank in Europe charges a fee,

Charles Schwab reimburses me at the end of each month.
Charles Schwab also has the best exchange rate 

I've found anywhere.
And I get that simply by using my ATM card.

Bank fees can add up to hundreds of dollars.

So I suggest you do NOT use 

your regular bank's ATM account 

unless your bank gives you a special rate.

Find a bank that will return those fees 

at the end of the month.

Exhange Rates

Not only do banks charge fees for using the ATM,

but many also charge 

a HIGHER EXCHANGE rate.

For example, 

if the regular exchange rate is 1.37 

the bank might charge 1.50 or higher.

Those pennies along with ATM fees add up.

Call your bank and ask 

what exchange rate they charge

for international withdrawals.

They will talk around the bush

but eventually you will learn

that most charge a whopping fee

for exchanging cash in a foreign country.

Use a Travel Account.

It's a good idea to keep your travel money

separate from your regular bank account,

just in case your card is compromised.

Many banks have a special travel account you can open

to keep your travel cash 

separate from your regular bank account.

I am in love with my Charles Schwab card.

I have used it seamlessly over the years.

And when I DO have an issue,

I get a human on the line quickly,

whether via chat or live phone.

Since Schwab only gives you one ATM card,

I've opened an account with my walking partner, Joe.

That way we will have his card

 in case mine is lost or stolen,

which means either of us could quickly

get online and transfer funds

into another safe account if necessary.

If two of you are traveling, 

it is smart to have your walking partner carry 

your extra card, in case of problems.

Lastly, 

I know I harp on this,

but be aware of girls with clipboards.

It is a scam, and a successful one!

See my post on pickpockets for more information.

Ok.. I guess that's it on cash.

Let me know if you have questions.

And BUEN CAMINO!

Love,

Annie

Which Money Belt is Best?

Most pilgrims agree that a money belt 

is a necessity on the Camino Santiago.

It makes the most sense to use an ATM card 

and withdraw €200-€300 when you find a bank, 

and then spread that cash out over several days. 

Using my budget of €20 per day, 

one withdrawal can last me up to 10 days.

I take €20 out of my belt each morning 

and carry it in a change purse

that is easy to access.

The rest travels in a money belt with my passport and credit card.

There are many options for carrying your cash on the Camino.

Here are a few:

Neck pouch.

Review: I do not recommend these at all.

First of all, the strap around your neck is a dead giveaway.

Thieves have been known to grab these and cut them with a blade.

The ones that cannot be cut could strangle you 

if the thief was on a bike.

I just don't think they're safe at all.

Leg Safe.

Again, I do not recommend these.

I have seen pickpockets on the Metro

drop to their knees and run their hands

up a man's pants, because they know this is a popular option.

It only takes them a second

to grab your leg safe 

and jump off the train!

Waist Belt.

A regular waist-band money belt.

You can find these in all travel stores.

You can also find them in the Rick Steves travel store.

The are a zippered flat pouch that you wear around your waist.

The compartments are large enough for your passport,

and often have separate places for credit cards and cash.

They have a snap buckle that is plastic.

Please note this belt is to be worn UNDER your clothing, 

not over.

Review:  I wore this type of belt for several years. Sometimes it was uncomfortable because it continually rode up unless I tightened it, in which case it felt binding.  My passport and cash often was damp with sweat. But I still recommend this type of belt over a neck-style.

Bra Caddy

Here's another option.

I don't think it would be too comfortable backpacking,

but hey…

Hidden Pocket.

This is one of my favorites. 

It is a pocket, with various compartments. 

It is big enough for your passport, cash, and credit cards.  

It has two loops, one brown and one black, 

so you can wear it over your belt, 

then tuck it into your skirt or pants.  

It's easy to access. 

I like wearing this along with a regular money belt. (see below) 

It comes in different colors.

 I like the tan because it can't be seen under light clothing.

Standard Money Belt

In addition to the money pouch above,

this year I bought a regular money belt.

I bought the one made by 

Binh,

in a polyester weave.

It is lightweight,

not bulky at all, 

and the zipper is quite long,

so there's space to store several large bills.

The belts can be purchased in leather as well.
I tried this belt one year and discarded it.
It's just not convenient to me.
For a man, it might be a good way to store extra cash,
or for a woman who wears pants with belt loops.
But I didn't care for it.

Splitting Up The Cash

However you decide to carry your cash and cards,

it's probably a good idea to split it up.

Carry some in one belt,

and some in another.

Dummy Wallet

Some people carry a "dummy wallet."

This is a wallet with a credit card or two

that are outdated,

maybe a couple of €20 or €50 bills.

In case of pickpocket or theft,

this wallet can be surrendered easily,

and you're not out your entire bank!

Here is a good blog on what to carry 

in a "sacrificial wallet."

http://blog.backpackerbucks.com/gear/sacrificial-wallet-thwart-theives-stay-safe/

Whichever money belt you decide on,

I suggest you fill it,

and wear it around your hometown for a few days,

so you will know whether or not 

it is going to be comfortable on the Camino.

ON THE CAMINO

Never, ever leave your money, credit cards, passport,

or anything you cannot afford to lose

unattended.

Never leave it with another pilgrim

no matter how friendly they appear.

On my first Camino, I met three young people

whose Camino ended after 3 days.

In Pamplona, they left their bags

with a friendly fellow pilgrim

they had walked with from SJPP.

The "pilgrim" had targeted them

and when she agreed to watch their bags

while they showered,

she robbed them of all cash and credit cards,

and vanished in the Pamplona night.

Sad but true.

When you shower, put your valuables into a 

zip lock bag, or special waterproof bag 

and 

TAKE THEM INTO THE SHOWER WITH YOU!

* * *

And remember,

NEVER get into your money belt

in a public place.

Access it in private each morning,

in a bathroom stall if necessary,

taking out your cash for the day.

When you go to the ATM,

go with a friend when possible.

Have them turn facing outwards,

while you get your cash.

And then immediately go somewhere

you can put your cash away

out of the public eye.

Watch out for children who want to "help" you!
Keep your hand over the slot where the money comes out.
See my post on pickpockets here:
PICKPOCKETS

At night, don't just leave your money belt and valuables by your bedside.

Be sure they are safe where nobody can pick them up and walk out with them.

I often stealthily tuck mine into the foot box of my sleeping bag.

There is very little theft on the Camino.

But it does happen.

And as the Camino becomes more and more popular,

petty crime increases.

Thieves look for an easy target, so...

Don't be paranoid, 

but don't be naive.

And you will have a

 Buen Camino!

Don't Break the Bank

Though I've posted ideas about gear on this blog, 

it's quite possible to walk on a budget.

There's really no need to break the bank on clothes 

when walking the Camino. 

Use clothes you already have! 

In the summer, shorts or a skirt and teeshirts are fine. 

They'll dry in the summer with no problem. 

I love my Macabi skirts,

but they are a bit spendy.

Hiking in a skirt is sooooo comfortable.

The skirt keeps your legs from being burned in the sun,

and protects them from the wind and rain in the cold.

But any comfortable skirt will do, really.

Lightweight clothing like yoga leggings 

with a long cotton shirt (that covers your butt if it looks like mine!) 

might be good.
The leggings or shorts or boy cut underwear are good

so your thighs don't chafe when you sweat. 

I like cotton broomstick skirts because they are lightweight and comfortable.

You can often find hiking skirts on Ebay 

or on my Used Camino Gear website.

Skorts are good.

They are a pair of shorts with a skirt over.

We wore them a lot in the 60's.

They're especially nice if the shorts have a pocket.

Feel free to wear the underwear and bra you wear at home. 

There is no need for technical gear. 

Underwire bras may be irritating but any good regular bra will be fine.

Look for inexpensive sports bras at Walgreens,
Walmart, TJ Max, 

or other stores where they sell those tv ad goods.

Instead of an expensive fleece, 

go to a charity shop like Goodwill,
 buy a men's soft, lightweight, large merino wool sweater
and felt it in the washing machine and dryer. 

You can find instructions online
for felting wool,

and I will post a blog on it once I'm back home. 

Unless you are walking in the snow, 

you really do not need a jacket. 

Just wear layers. 

You warm up quick when you walk.

In early Spring, or Autumn, 

take clothes you can layer, 

including a soft shell layer or featherweight jacket. 

I wear a long sleeved shirt, with a short sleeved tee over it. 

I put a fleece over that, 

and I'm peeling clothes off after half an hour, 

even in the coldest weather. 

Here are some layering ideas:

I take a featherweight wind breaker, 

but your rain gear can double as a windbreaker if it's stormy.

Quick drying clothes are no longer really necessary as many albergues along the way now have washers and dryers.  If you are staying in private lodgings, they'll almost always do your laundry for a small fee of €3-6.

 I buy merino wool tees, but I walk every year more than once. 

I also prefer merino wool to synthetics, 

which begin to stink after a few weeks.

For a one-time Camino, you really don't need all that. 

If you live in the USA, go to your local Goodwill. They have an ActiveWear section where I've found fantastic buys! I've found brand new zip-off hiking pants there for under $10, and a large assortment of quick-dry shirts.

Take a hat that will shield your eyes from the hot sun 

as well as the rain. 

A chinstrap is good for windy days on the meseta. 

I love my Tilley hat, but any hat with a peak will do.

Rain gear will be necessary, especially in Galicia. I love my ALTUS poncho, and you can often pick these up used. It covers me and my pack and keeps me toasty warm as well, and I've used it as a blanket in albergues where there are no blankets to keep me warm at night.  I've also walked in rain jacket and pants, in which case you'll need a pack cover. 

I don't like regular ponchos without sleeves because they will blow like crazy. If you wear one, consider a belt to hold it down.

Socks can be any comfortable sock.

If you wear through them,

there are plenty of places to buy inexpensive socks on the Camino.

I love SmartWool socks.

They are comfortable and they wear well.

Make sure your socks do not have seams inside.

They will cause blisters.

The two items you will want to spend the most money on 

are your backpack and your shoes.

And if you have to choose between them, choose shoes.

You MUST have well-fitting shoes, whether you choose boots or trail runners.

This guy wore the wrong boots!

I prefer trail runners myself, as I've said.

You should not have to "break in" shoes.

They should fit walking out the store.

If you have to break them in, they are the wrong shoes.

I spend about $150 for my shoes each year.

A good pack will set you back $100 or more.

If you are carrying your pack, do NOT buy one online.

You need a well-fitting pack and not all packs are created equal.

If you are using pack transport, it doesn't matter.

And please,

don't go buying a HUGE pack.

The bigger pack you buy the more you will fill it.

Mine is a 30L pack and it's plenty big.

I promise, if you carry much more than the 

10% of your body weight 

suggested by experienced Camino walkers,

you will either be dumping gear the 3d day

or paying lots of $$$ to mail it home.

Whatever you buy,

try it out on the trail BEFORE you go.

Finding out that your pack straps cause a blister

where they rub on your bra strap adjuster,

is just a bummer once you've left home.

If you can afford it, it's fun to buy new gear.

But it is absolutely not necessary.

Just wear what you have in your closet and don't break the bank.

The Camino isn't a fashion show.

Just be comfie!

And please,

if you have ideas for inexpensive gear on the Camino,

feel free to post a comment below.

Buen Camino!

Annie

Breakfast on the Camino

Desayuno, or breakfast, 
is often the second thing 

on a pilgrim's mind each day.

And unless you are staying at a Parador

or have a bottomless pocket,

the breakfast shown above

will be something a Pilgrim only dreams about!

If you are like me, 

by morning, you've already scoped out the closest bar 

and know exactly how long you'll have to walk 

for that first cup of COFFEE!

It is said the first Spaniard to drink coffee 

was a Jesuit missionary named Padro Paez. 

His journal about his imprisonment in Ethiopia describes it 

as a "dark, bitter infusion."

 100 years later, the Borbon dynasty formally introduced coffee 

to the country.

They've never looked back!

Starbucks can't hold a candle 
to the coffee in Spain, 

as far as I'm concerned! 

Following are some of the choices 
you might find. 

Remember, 

some of the smaller villages 
may not have such a long list.

Save exploration for the large cities.

Generally, you will have at least 3 or 4 choices.

Here is a good option to carry in your mochila 

for those mornings where there is a kitchen 

and the equipment to boil water. 

It is called Nescafé and you will find it 

in just about every tienda in Spain. 

I don't believe I ever paid more 

than 2 Euro for a box,

much less than I'd pay in the USA, 

so I wait and buy it there.

Open the package and you find 

these cool little single serving tubes.

It's not the same as a brewed cup of coffee, 

but it's pretty danged close. 

I discard the box and just 

carry the tubes in my pack. 

They're sturdy 

and I've never had one break open. 

Pour the contents of one tube into your cup, 

add boiling water, 

and voila! 

It'll get you down the road to the next bar.

Once you locate the bar 

(they almost always are open by 7 am), 

pull yourself up a seat and order. 

Your choices are numerous, depending on where you are. 

You'll almost always have 

at least these first three options 

in even the smallest villages 

along the Camino Frances. 

Why not try them all!?

CAFÉ SOLO.  

This is ESPRESSO. 

You will get one shot of espresso in a small glass or cup.

CAFÉ DOBLE.

  This is a double shot of expresso 

and may come in a cup or in a glass, 

as may the single.

CAFÉ CON LECHE.

  This is coffee with milk, generally about half and half of each. 

The milk is steamed 

so it's probably what you would call a "latte" 

except the richness is much greater, 

in my opinion.

You will notice that there are always 2 packets of sugar and a spoon on your saucer. This is standard. If you don't want to use both packets of the sugar, put the packets on the counter and the attendant will pick them up. Or put them in your backpack to use later in those places where you can not find a bar and need to drink your instant Nescafé.

CAFÉ CORTADO or CAFÉ MANCHADO.

This is two shots of expresso with just a tiny bit of milk added.  

It is NOT the same as a Café Bonbon. 

Often, condensed milk is used, so this can be quite sweet.

LECHE MANCHADA 

(different from Café Manchado) 

is hot foamy MILK with a drop of espresso. 

It is a bit like a Cappicino and is very rich; 

nice on a cold Camino morning!

CAFÉ DESCAFEINADO

Decaffeinated Coffee. 

You can ask for it "de maquina" 

(from the machine) 

or "de sobre" (from a packet). 

It is not generally brewed fresh from beans.

CAFÉ BONBON

 Café Bonbon is also called 

Café Cortado Condensada. 

It is espresso with sweetened condensed milk. 

It comes layered 

with the heavy milk on bottom. 

You stir it before drinking.

CAFÉ CON HIELO

 Café con Hielo is coffee with ice. 

It comes separately. 

You pour it over yourself.

CAFÉ AMERICANO.
The first time I walked the Camino, 

not every bartender understood this.
The second time I walked, 

they all knew it by heart.
If you are not adventurous and just want a plain old coffee
like you'd have in the USA
order this.
It's a shot of espresso
covered in hot water.

Please bear in mind there will be regional variations, and it can be confusing. On the Norte and Camino Frances routes, a cortado is a tiny cup of espresso with just a dab of milk while a café con leche is equal parts of milk and coffee in a modest serving. However, on the Via de la Plata, you may find a cortado more like the café con leche you are used to, while a café con leche is mostly milk with a dab of coffee - 

what you might call a leche manchada.

If you drink tea, you have options.

You can purchase teabags 

in most tiendas and markets.

Carry them along if you have a favorite.

Otherwise, plain black tea 

can almost always be ordered.

If  you ask for TÉ CON LECHE

it may come with or without

the milk already added.

If you prefer to use your own teabag, 

simply ask (and often pay for)

UN VASO DE AGUA CALIENTE POR FAVOR

* * *

DESAYUNO or BREAKFAST

Buy it or carry it.

The choice is yours.

Breakfast can be a challenge for the Pilgrim. Often, your choices at a bar are 

a bocadillo, a bocadillo, or a bocadillo! Unbelievable to some, the Spanish do eat sandwiches for breakfast, which often doesn't happen until mid-morning. It reminds me of a hobbit-like "second breakfast."

A good start is the ZUMO. 

Your heart will sing when you see 

the telling zumo machine 

on the bar counter top! 

It means FRESH ORANGE JUICE 

for desayuno!

THE BOCADILLO will be offered 

in nearly every bar. 

It is a sandwich, 

and the breakfast version 

may or may not offer scrambled eggs. 

You may get jamon y queso (ham and cheese) or any number of combinations of items 

on a freshly baked bun. 

If it doesn't feel like 

the breakfast you're used to, 

I suggest you get used to eating it anyway. 

It will sometimes be your only choice 

and you need the energy for walking.

If you are in a larger city, 

look for CHURROS y CHOCOLATE. 

I wouldn't say this is common 

along the Camino Frances. 

But you can find them if you keep an eye out.
Leon is a traditional place to find it.

The chocolate is very thick, really like a pudding. The churros are long donuts. The batter is pushed into the hot frying oil with a tube. You eat these with your fingers, dipping them into the thick chocolate. MMMMMmmmmm!

TORTILLA. This is not the tortilla you find in California! This is more like a frittata. It is made most often with potatoes, onions, and maybe garlic and/or peppers. They are cooked until soft and then beaten egg is poured over the top and the entire thing is cooked until firm. Sometimes it is baked. Sometimes it is cooked in a skillet and flipped. However it is done, it is delicious and each one is different. It comes in a wedge or square slice. It keeps well for a full day in your pack if you wrap it up in a napkin. It also makes a great sandwich filling  so if they're offering it, you may want to buy two and save one for your picnic lunch later.

Many villages will have a bakery, and a bakery means pastries! An adventurous pilgrim won't pass up the opportunity to try all the local variations of pastries! Heck, you can walk off those calories in an hour or two! And you're only here for a short time. Enjoy!

Another option is to go to a tienda or market and buy something for tomorrow's breakfast. There are fresh fruits everywhere in Spain. Just remember, "No toca la fruta!" Don't prod and squeeze the fruit - it is not appreciated! This is especially true in the small markets where they buy the fruit by the case and don't want it bruised. Just point and the attendant will hand you the fruit. Don't worry. It's sweet and good, unlike the stuff that is picked green and gassed in the good old USA. This is REAL fruit. Trust...

You can find YOGUR (yogurt) for half a Euro or less. It comes in these nice little cups and travels well. I have kept it for two days in my pack with no problems. It is, after all, curdled milk.

ARROZ CON LECHE 

(rice pudding or rice with milk) 

is another option.

You'll find it in the same little containers as the yogurt

in the same cold case.

It's very good and filling.

MARIA'S

These are lovely milk crackers.

They have different brands 

but are pretty much the same.

They are not too sweet 

and are wonderful for dipping

into your coffee.

They make a great snack also.

I always carry them in my pack.

They are always under 1 Euro.

FRESH HUEVOS

Fresh farm eggs are everywhere 

in the tiendas along the Camino.

They are so much different from the processed eggs you buy in the supermarket, 

you will be surprised. The yolks are dark yellow and sometimes even orange. They stand up rather than run all over the skillet. They are FRESH and full of goodness. Don't pass by the opportunity to eat eggs straight from the farm. You can buy them by the 'each.' You don't have to buy a dozen. I have paid anywhere from 10 to 30 cents each. Take them to the albergue and boil them up. Carry them in your mochila. 

Peel and slice them, making your own fresh breakfast bocadillo

TOSTADA

In Spain, tostada means "toast."

 It comes dry 

unless you specify "con" something.

You may or may not get butter and jam.

You may or may not get 

another type of spread.

My favorite spread 

was one on the Via de la Plata.

It was made of lard mixed with minced meat,

and colored with paprika.

It is called manteca colora,
and I have a blog on making it at home
if you like it.

Here is a photo of tostada con tomate,

a paste made of tomatos and olive oil.

Delicious for breakfast!

Sometimes, if you stay in a private albergue, 
breakfast will be included in the price.

Breakfast is continental 

and generally consists of

coffee, bread and butter, and jam.

You can almost eat all you want.

Local bakeries are often required by law 
to donate a certain number of 
fresh loaves of bread daily to the refugios 
to feed the pilgrims. 
So be happy that someone loves you!

There are probably many more choices, 

but these have been the ones 
that I am most familiar with.

In the end, no matter what you order, 

if your Spanish isn't up to par, 

you may get a surprise!

My advice is to be a good pilgrim and take what is offered with grace. 

You will have learned something new, 

and after all, 

that is part of the Camino adventure!

Buen Camino!