Flights/What's in the pack?

 Finally got my flights arranged last week.  I'd been researching airline flights for close to a month, watching fares and possible routes.  I'd considered everything, including taking a bus from Santiago back to Porto or Madrid after I finished.  The easiest way, as it turned out, was to go from Phoenix via DFW/Madrid/Porto going over, and Santiago/Madrid/JFK coming back.  I'm giving myself almost a 5 hour layover in Madrid going over, and 2 1/2 hours in JFK coming back.  Clearing customs can take time.

The hardest part of getting an airline ticket was putting it on my Schwab card.  I'd created a Schwab account a few years ago with foreign trips in mind since they don't charge transaction fees on ATM withdrawals and don't charge foreign transaction fees.  I finally settled on a flight combination and when I went to check out and purchase the ticket on Expedia, it got flagged as fraud because it was travel and foreign related.  This required calling Schwab and answering about 15-20 minutes worth of questions and being placed on hold a couple times.  With a little patience (and placing a travel notice on the card), I managed to complete the transaction.  Whew!

You wonder what's in my pack when I'm hiking a Camino.  Here's a little of what I'm carrying.  Not a totally complete list, but enough to give you an idea.  I picked other people's brains and then adapted for my own use.

Trekking pole or golf club (1)
Gregory Zulu 40L backpack
T-shirt (1) - Tee Pee
Long sleeve polyester shirt (lightweight)
Columbia fleece
Gym shorts (1)
Lightweight Columbia convertible long pants/shorts
Briefs (1 pair)
Rain jacket/pants (doubles as insulation)
Poncho for rain cover
Socks (3 pair Darn Tough)
Oboz Bdry Sawtooth hiking shoes
Flips/sandals
Aussie Chiller hat
Merino wool buff
Gloves
Handkerchief (2)
Phone/charger/Euro adapter
Water bottle (1 liter)
Ziploc bags (4) for storage
Sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner (the liner worked fine last time)
Razor (2 disposable)
KT blister prevention tape
Dental floss/toothbrush/trial size toothpaste
Sunscreen (trial size)
Pills (16 day supply)
Deodorant 
Chap Stick/nail clippers/comb
Vaseline

Lastly, I'll attach several photos from a recent hike in Granite Dells in Prescott.

Buen Camino!




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