3/22/13 - Gear Talk - 2

Let's see what we have here. 

Take it from the top left working clockwise around the horn...

Earplugs

Highly recommended for sound sleeping in the Algergues.  Take a large group of 40 - 50 or even a hundred pilgrims and put them in a dormitory room with as many as 75 or 100 bunk beds, cots, mattresses or what have you, turn out the lights, and expect them to be as quiet as church mice?  Probably not going to happen.  So, it is good to have a little help when you put you head down at night.  Hence ... EARPLUGS.  Some also recommend a mask for your eyes so that the inevitable flash light does not disturb you.  Should that happen, I will just use a bandanna over my eyes.   

Vaseline and Silk Liner Socks

One of the highly recommended methods to avoid blisters on the Camino is the use of Liners under a Merino Wool sock.  In addition, to avoid friction, which is the main cause of blisters, they suggest ample coverage of the suspect areas of the foot with Vaseline.  So, I have been doing that, substituting Bag Balm for Vaseline, because I have a big container that I want to get rid of.  It works ... perhaps I will take some on the trip.

Money and Valuables Belt

Next in the picture is a tan object with a red dot on it.  That's a money belt.  Used under all clothing and to be retained on the body or in your hands at all times.   Yes, there are pickpockets in Europe.  In this, carry excess money (Euros), passport, tickets, and debit card.  It is protected from water and a special liner that will protect the magnetic strip on the debit card.

Quick Dry Microfiber Towel

The brownish object is a towel.  Big enough to wrap around one self and also to be quick drying.  Not very good to have a large cotton based fluffy towel all wet and in the rain.  It just won't dry.  This one will dry in minutes and it is wide enough and long enough to cover when necessary.