ROF= Ring of Fire Odyssey
MEF-H = Marine Expeditionary Force- Hargus
CdS = Camino de Santiago journey
September 25, 2019
Camino luggage, pack transfer.... This is NOT a secret to hiking the Camino.... This is how you can do it! The "straight skinny" is a Marine Corps term to tell you how it is.
Hiking the Camino de Santiago... Yes, you can backpack,... like a real pilgrim. Carry everything on your back, everything that is important to live on your back. 6 miles, 9 miles,... 11+ miles... everyday. ... in between overnight stops for lodging, albuergues - with 6 to 20+ beds in a barracks w/ bathhouse at the end of the hall, or local "hotels", inns with 6 rooms, some private rooms w/ twin beds and a bathroom... with shower. Only a couple of times there was a tub to soak in.
Here is the truth of pack/ luggage transfers on the Camino.
You do NOT have to carry everything, everyday,... on the Camino. You can hire a pack/luggage transfer company every single day for 5Euros/ 5 dollars PER BAG/ SUITCASE. They will move/ transfer your pack/ luggage that day so you do NOT have to carry everything on your back.
Every morning in the lobby of your hotel, Albuquerque. You fill out a tag-- on each bag-- with your name, and destination where the pack/ luggage goes to, in the envelope, rubber band on your pack/ luggage... insert 5 euros... and it will be sent to the that days destination, you designate. so simple...
You hike the Camino with your day pack of water, snacks/ sandwiches,... 5 to 8 pounds, hike all day,... and at your destination... your main pack/ luggage will be there in the lobby waiting for you. 1st time I left the pack I thought will I ever see this pack again.. it was there in the lobby designated that afternoon... every time.
This is business... there is money to be made. This is the tourist industry... They are NOT going to lose your pack/ luggage.
I saw many pack transfer vans with 100 to 150 packs... That's $750 a day to do transfer for pilgrims. This is an industry. They make their living doing pack/ luggage transfers from Camino stop to stop. They are not going to mess this up. This is their business! It's about the money... accommodate the pilgrims!!!
Every time we did the pack transfer... it was there at the end of the day! You can do the Camino without worry that your pack/ luggage will be sent ahead to your destination. Even travel luggage with the handle and rollers; it goes from lobby to lobby, 5 euros a bag. yeah!
A booking company, and there are many, to book your hotel/ lodging will charge you 10euros to do the transfer. You can do this yourself for 5euros a day/ transfer.
After a days hike... you come to your destination on the Camino... Your pack/ luggage is there. Check in at hotel/ register at the albergue... go see what's in the town.
Get ready for the next day. Do it again... The Camino can be a lot of fun. Carry a full 26+ pound backpack with everything you own/need... vs carry a day pack of 5 to 7 pounds; MANY hikers/ pilgrims use the pack/ luggage transfer. Many senior citizens use the transfer. It's about enjoying the Camino. 5 euros a day= a bargain!
You never drink twice from the same stream.
Just because you wander doesn't mean you're lost.
Uncle Hargus: Last of the Independents
Have Bear,
Will Travel
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