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<DIV><SPAN class=534341619-24082003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Nancy,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=534341619-24082003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>it
isn't really clear why you would put your backpack inside a
suitcase...</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=534341619-24082003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>If it
is for protection for straps and such, then I would recommend asking for a bag
at the airline check-in. I have done this several times, and the bags are
tough enough to serve as your pack rain-cover during the trip and still be used
for getting your pack home.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=534341619-24082003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>If you
need to ship a few after-camino items to Santiago, and to ship larger things
home, you can purchase a number of different sized boxes at the post offices
themselves. They are recycled cardboard, quite tough, and only a
couple euros. We shipped 17kilos of unnecessary
post-academic trip/pre-camino books, clothes and 2 daypacks in a box where
the post office employees in Barcelona were very helpful (packing tape, felt
markers). The monster of a box cost about 35-40 Euros to ship to Calgary by
boat (4-6 weeks), but arrived in only 2 weeks. There are size
limitations, so best to use the supplied boxes if items are large enough that
you are concerned.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=534341619-24082003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I
don't have info on Madrid transfers, especially with checked luggage (mine was
delayed from London to Barcelona last trip in June), but 3 hours seems a little
tight for any large city where the airport is outside of the city itself,
especially if you are trying to use public transit. Save a few
minutes by getting money at an ATM, they are literally
everywhere (don't forget to have a 4-digit pin). You'll get better rates
and check with your bank for service fees (I paid $2canadian per withdrawal, so
generally better than %-based currency exchange).</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=534341619-24082003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Buen
Camino,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=534341619-24082003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Remi</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=534341619-24082003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Calgary, Alberta</FONT></SPAN></DIV></BODY></HTML>