New to Camino

[Joe and Lydia Banales]

I would add that, depending on how many days you are walking, an
occasional stay at a small hotel is a welcome respite. In the small
towns like Arzua you can find a small hotel for about $25. Compared to a
refugio, that's a lot of money. But to have some privacy, a hot LONG
shower and a comfortable bed, it's worth it.
Also, unless you are a frequent flyer to Europe, fly in and out of a
city you want to see. My favorite is Paris, but Madrid is great too. We
fly into Paris from California, then take trains to wherever we're
going. There is a fast train from Paris to Bayonne. From there you can
get a bus to St. Jean. I research my flights on the internet, then go to
a consolidator in Los Angeles to buy the ticket. Lydia

Howard Mendes wrote:

> In a message dated 3/1/2002 11:46:14 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> denise1234aEARTHLINK.NET writes:
>
>
>
>> Do the refuges have hot water? towels? and soap/shampoo?  Do you
>> carry
>> these things?
>
> Don't count on hot water everywhere.  Try to take a shower early when
> you arrive before hot water may run out.  No towels; buy a fast drying
> camping towel, something like a chamois cloth, but large.  Sporting
> goods stores like EMS or Bed Bath & Beyond sell them.  No
> soap/shampoo.  Bring soap & a small plastic soap dish that closes.
>
> Refugios have little or no amenities.  Many have showers that go off
> in about 30 seconds when you don't keep a button depressed, because
> they try to conserve the hot water.  Bring toilet paper/tissues for
> example.  You can buy replacements for necessaries in many small towns
> and the cities at Supermercados.  You may need it on the Camino during
> the day.  BE PREPARED TO ROUGH IT.  Howard Mendes
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