Top 5 mistakes I made walking the El Camino

In June/July, I walked the French way of the El Camino de Santiago.  Starting in St Jean Pied de Port, France and walking to Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

After reading all the blogs, and forums, I still made Camino mistakes.  Here are my top five mistakes in hopes they help you.

1. My backpack was too heavy for me. Purchase a close to zero weight bag as possible.I did all the right things. Consulted all the experts I knew. Went to REI for a backpack fitting.  Read until my eyes hurt.  I started out with an Osprey Kyte 36.  A perfect fit for me-in the store.  Manufactures weight 3.23 lbs.  However, my scale was at 4.2 lbs.  I struggled with that bag for 21 days! It was just not the right bag for me.  I sent it ahead.  I carried it empty with only my water bladder and sent my day bag ahead.  That bag rode in a taxi with injured friends.  On day 21, in Leon, I purchased a Deuter Trail 30 bag, manufactures weight 2.6 lbs.  What a difference!

The bag that worked for me: https://amzn.to/2ox0rId

2. My on-body bag had a Velcro closure. Do not bring any Velcro.  Most people bring a fanny pack or a bum bag.  I highly suggest this.  I purchased a small zero weight cross body bag from Decathlon.  While the bag worked in weight, it had a Velcro closure plus Velcro straps on the back.  Every piece of clothing I brought was the light weight, dry fit, type of clothing.  No matter what I did, those little tiny Velcro edges caught on every piece of clothing I had.

3. I brought 2-pound Keen sandals “just in case.” Don’t worry about “just in case.” That 2-pounds makes a difference! I struggled with an overweight bag and 2-pound Keen sandals. These were not my shower shoes.  These were the sandals I wanted to wear in case my trail runners got wet.  On day 21, as I am struggling with weight, I purchased a pair of zero weight crock flip flops.  The Keen sandals and the zero weight shower shoes went away!

The flip flops I purchased: https://amzn.to/2nTwC4p

4. I used compeed on pre-blister areas. Don’t use compeed for prevention.  I know some people swear by this stuff.  But if your blister has not fully formed, or broken skin, the compeed makes a pre-blister worse.  I went to the hospital in one little town after I attempted to use compeed on two hot spots that were not fully formed as a blister.  The medic said they do not suggest using compeed.  Just clean the area and rest the feet.

5. Probably the best advice of all……Stay with your Camino Family! I met wonderful people in line at the Pilgrims office in SJPdP. I also walked into Santiago with these same wonderful people!   But I can tell you I struggled at times to stay with my family group.  I had visions of nice long solitary walks and each time I walked ahead, I would end up waiting for my group.  I then realized I could have both.  My alone time balanced with my Camino family group.  The experience would not have been the same without my Camino family.  I cannot put into words what it meant to me to walk into Santiago, hand in hand with that wonderful group!

What mistakes did you make on the El Camino?

Preparing to move overseas? 11 Tips for you.

A few years ago, I sold everything I owned and moved to a contract-managed USAG military base in the Marshall Islands.  During my time living on the island I learned some simple tips might help others moving abroad, moving to a military base or to moving to USAG-Kwajalein Atoll.

1. Renew your passport.  Yes, you have the ability to renew your passport while you are living on Kwaj.  However, you want to make your transition as easy as possible.  Renew your passport while you are at home will make life a bit easier for you.

2.  Renew your Stateside Driver’s License.  I know several people whom move to Kwaj and forget to renew their stateside License.  This has caused licenses to expire, people to drive unknowingly with an expired license, or a suspended driver license due to lack of insurance.  Additionally, this may cause challenges when you rent a car.

3.  Call you Automotive Insurance agency.  Ask how your state law handles moving overseas in regard to licensing and insurance.  In my case, I sold my car and canceled my auto insurance.  I am fortunate to have USAA coverage.  USAA handles military and overseas clients with great ease.  They communicated with the State of Florida Licensing and informed them of my move.  USAA has a yearly policy for those whom live overseas and covers rental vehicles.  It’s a small fraction of my auto policy and covers exactly what I need and nothing more.

4. Voters Registration. Go by your voter’s registration and apply for an absentee ballot.  If you do not know your postal box number or your new address, ask you sponsor or your new employer.

5. US Mail.  Determine a location where you can have an US address.  I have had a P.O. Box for several years.  If you are not retaining your physical residence while on Kwaj, consider obtaining a P.O. Box for your US Mail.  I would highly consider keeping a US address.  If this is not your residence, then ask a family member to be your stateside “point of contact” for mail.  This is one of my mistakes moving overseas.  I did not retain a physical address and caused me a slight degree of difficulty.  You can sign up for USPS Informed Delivery- for free.  This service sends you an email scan of the letters that are being mailed to you.

6. Bring your Checkbook.  Old School.  Seriously I have never written so many paper checks in my lifetime.  The internet does go down.  Electricity does go out.  Some vendors/stores are not set up to process a credit card transaction.  Bring your checkbook and extra checks.

7. Online Banking.  If you are not familiar with your banks online banking features-determine what they are before you leave the states.  Download the apps, log your passwords.  Once you arrive on Kwaj you will find the time zone challenging to maintain banking transactions with regular phone calls.

8.  Electronically streamline all bills back home.  Whatever your responsibility back home, ensure you know how to handle it online.  Log your websites and passwords in your bookmarks.  Determine customer service numbers and emails.

9.  Purchase Amazon Prime.  Will you need it?  YES.  No matter what your interest.  No matter your hobbies.  No matter what degree of minimalism you aspire too.  No matter who you are or where you come from, you will need to make an Amazon purchase. And you will want it as soon as you can get your hands on it.  Amazon Prime will deliver anywhere between seven days and two weeks.  This is depending on how long Kwaj mail waits on pallets during its transport.  I have personally received items from Amazon in seven days on two occasions.  Oh!  It’s wonderful winning the Amazon Prime lottery!  For the most part, I have experienced a two-week Amazon Prime Order.

10.  Medication. Bring extra medications and a copy of your prescription.  Whatever you are taking, bring as much as your doctor will allow you.  I would highly suggest three months in the beginning.  Just to be on the safe side.  Yes, we have a pharmacy.  Yes, we have wonderful doctors.  But it will take a while for you to get into the rhythm of island supply and logistics.  Error on the side of precaution.

11.  Eye Glasses/Contact Lenses.  Bring extra glasses.  If you have a new pair and an old pair, bring both.  If you have readers on every household surface, grab a few extra at the store.  I wear contact lenses and usually keep a three-month supply with me.  Once I start my last box, I order more.  I have both my new prescription glasses and my old prescription glasses- just in case.  I also keep a small glasses repair kit.  I have never had to use it, but I have given it to friends to borrow.

What has helped you prepare to move overseas?

Need help before you move?  Send me a message.

Welcome

Hello there! Welcome to my blog.

My name is Angel and I am here to inspire you to do something you thought you couldn’t do.

Why?

Because I didn’t think I could reach my dreams. Until one day…I pushed past what was holding me back.

And now….

I am here to inspire you. You can create what you dream. If I can do it…you can do it too!

But wait…who are you?

I am just a person like you. I had a long term career dedicated to the service of others. I had big dreams of doing MORE with my life. But I held myself back.

I jumped off the hamster wheel and never looked back!

Can you relate?

Life is short.

Life is a paragraph, a page, a chapter, and more than one book.

We will chat about what inspires you, leaning forward, personal development, and leadership.

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