<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">Melissa, I can speak to the foot care as I have walked the Camino for 4 weeks successfully without a single blister. I felt very sorry for the pilgrims who had to treat their blisters every morning and night. For some people, it ruins their walk. <BR>
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This is what worked for me:<BR>
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MAKE SURE YOUR BOOTS FIT: I tried several pairs of boots by bringing them home and wearing them in the house for several hours. I finally settled on about the 4th pair that I tried. (Do not feel bad about doing this....you cannot tell how your boots are going to feel until you have worn them for several hours going about normal house chores.)<BR>
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MAKE SURE YOUR BOOTS ARE BIG ENOUGH: I bought my boots early, 1/2 size bigger than I normally wear.. to accommodate a sock liner and a hiking sock. (Use wicking socks and liners made for heavy hiking) <BR>
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BREAK YOU BOOTS IN: To break them in, I wore them as much as I could at the park, on the trail, even at the mall before it opened. Train by walking at a fast pace.<BR>
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I THINK THIS NEXT HINT IS THE SECRET TO NOT HAVING BLISTERS (the scourge of the Camino). Every morning, I slathered creamy Vaseline on my feet before putting on my sock liners. AND I DIDN'T EVEN GET A 'HOT SPOT'<BR>
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I never changed my socks during the day. I <I>did </I>wash them every night, which may have been unnecessary. You could probably get away with just washing the liners. I did notice that very few Europeans washed their socks every day. (There is a theory that it is better for your feet NOT to wash the socks everyday.) I just felt compelled to have fresh socks everyday.<BR>
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Utreya y suseya!<BR>
Marianne<BR>
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