Backpack by taxi - a story

[Eyskens]

I met a Brazilian woman on the road to O Cebeiro who was quite
disdainful to insulting toward pilgrims without packs.  You may not need
to carry a pack to receive the Compostela but there are strong feelings
on the subject among pilgrims, at least over the last three years I've
been on the Camino.  Refugio Gaulcelmo in Rabanal, the CSJ sponsored
Refugio will not admit pilgrims using taxis, vans or other motorized
assistance, for themselves or their packs.  Of course you can always
'cheat' and leave the vehicle out of sight.  As someone mentioned, it is
after all, an honor system, and individual 'Hospitalero' always have the
final stay.  In 2002, I admitted a fellow carrying a light day pack who
admitted his wife was carrying his real pack by car, and following
behind.  He had suffered a broken back and the day pack was all he could
manage.  I imagine the daypack was the equivalent of a 40 lb pack for
anyone else.

-----Original Message-----
From: Road to Santiago Pilgrimage [mailto:GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU] On
Behalf Of Richard Ferguson
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 6:06 PM
To: GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU
Subject: Backpack by taxi - a story


The stories about having backpacks carried by taxi reminded me of of
something that happened to me on the climb to O Cebreiro.  I had been
walking on and off with a couple of nice ladies from the Basque country.
I was by myself and then they appeared.  The older one turned to show me
the tiny knapsack on her back, not much more than a purse, and told me
"Un Milagro!  Santiago me quita mi mochilla!"  (A miracle!  Santiago
took my knapsack!).  We all laughed, and then she told me that she had
sent her backpack with some other packs by car or taxi to O Cebreiro,
and was carrying just a few essentials in the tiny knapsack.  Maybe you
had to be there, but it was funny at the time.

If you plan to use a taxi to carry your backpack, you will need a small
lightweight knapsack or beltpack to carry water and a raincoat during
the hike.  Such a pack could serve as a kind of purse for walking around
while your backpack stays in the refugio.  I have even seen backpacks
that have a kind of detachable module for the same purpose.

Richard