Going to the Bathroom on the Camino
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
- Sandy French, a seasoned, senior walker of the Camino and other trails, shares his tips and insights to walking long distances successfully.
This video covers Going to the Bathroom on the Camino. It's an important topic that doesn't get enough attention. I cover "do's and don't's" and how to prepare for the inevitable time when '"nature will call"
My videos i will appeal to older or more senior walkers and first timers, sharing his learnings on how to get the most out of your hike. Of course if you just want practical tips you will find also a treasure trove of insights.
My other videos cover key topics such as preparation and training, hiking boots, rain wear, should you use a travel company, to smaller but important topics such as specialty items to pack, hiking poles, and how hard is the Camino?
Sandy has decided to share these videos based on the idea "what would he have liked to have known "pre-walk" that he knows now.
If you're thinking of hiking the Camino or other long distance trails and you have practical questions, then these videos will give you great insights and answers to help you have a fun and successful walk.
This is an important if touchy subject so well done Sandy! Spot on with this one. I would add that if you dash into a cafe an alternative to buying something is to put a 1 euro on the counter and deliver your carefully memorised line, "Por Favor, es acceptable para me usar sus servicios?" Anything approximating this will be understood and you will often be given your euro back. It is the acknowledgement that counts.
This is also one of the major reasons I advise first-timers to do the Camino Frances. There are very few long stretches on it anymore and they get less with every year, I imagine. (In parenthesis, this means you need not carry vast quantities of water!)
As a male I could pee in the woods and never felt the need to do anything more. But, things happen and I carried the kit as per Sandy. Your pack of doggie-bags and wetwipes should be reasonably handy and the bags are useful things anyway. I used to collect my orange peel and other rubbish in them to carry to the next bin!! You should also carry your own TP as it is often nicked, not provided or run out in busy Auberges.
I'Ve watched a lot of camino vids and you're the first to talk about this in an extensive way. Thanks.
Thx for your comment John - sadly the Camino Francis is littered with toilette paper hopefully things will improve in the future
Thank you so much. Very much appreciated, I’ll walk as a recovering colon cancer patient. ❤
Thx for the feedback, hope it helps and that you have a wonderful, stress free walk!
I agree with you, people should clean up after themselves .
good advice for a 71 yr old, hoping for his first Camino in 2023
I hope you get to walk Michael, the first Camino is magic. It seems the temperature in Europe is going up here after your so make sure you walk in Spring or fall when you can hope to get some cooler days!
I just finished the Camino de Invierno. I always did #2 in the hotel in the morning. I am a backpacker so am used to doing #1 in the woods. What many female backpackers use to avoid carrying TP is a "pee rag"-- a bandanna to wipe off that you rinse and dry at the end of the day. Thus no need to carry TP or a plastic bag to carry used TP. There were many discreet places in the bush off the trail. If you are used to peeing while day hiking or backpacking it is no different on the Camino. On the Invierno, restaurants were too far from each other to use for their bathrooms. Who wants to "hold" it anyway?
Great support for the video and I am looking through my closet for a Pee-rag and 1 plastic bag for carrying, which will be washed and used for the whole camino. Great
We too, were shocked at the disgusting amount of toilet paper trailside when we walked the Portuguese Camino in 2019. It got so that could even predict the hidden spots along the trail where there would be piles and piles of toilet paper. This needs to be talked about more so pilgrims can be prepared. My wife has IBS so “emergencies” occur periodically and sometimes with very little warning. She treated it just like many people do when walking their dogs; she cleaned it up, put it in a bag and carried it until she could dispose of it properly. Thanks for doing this video. Let’s get the word out so the locals don’t start to turn on the Pilgrims and make journey harder. Bom Camino!
Thx Steve - I’m hiking in France and have not seen a single piece of toilet paper in almost 30 days. Let’s hope it stays that way!!
Buen Camino to you as well
Great and essential content Sandy,
I supported a project to supply clean water to remote Kenyan villages for some years, we found that the three things that were most beneficial for human health in the region were the availability of clean drinking water, hand washing and burying faeces, the second and third help break the cycle of disease spread from faeces accessible to flies etc. In Nepal we were disgusted by the state of trail side waste, not just rubbish but uncovered faeces so wholeheartedly support your approach.
Thx John - the Camino could benefit from people with your wisdom, experience and perspective. Have a fabul;ous walk!
Buen Camino.. I was totally grossed out with the amount of toilet paper… even when I went to (what I thought) a secret path off the way.. UGH.. YES.. take it with you! We do it with our dogs… so humans need to do it too! Thanks so much for the video.
Bravo. And uncomfortable yet important topic. This applies to everyone. Appreciate the insight.
Thx J - Buen Camino
Keeping it real Sandy!! Thanks.
Thx Debbie - yep doing it in public is as real as it gets!
I carry a neoprene case with a belt attachment. It has a pouch for carrying dog poo bags in the lid and zips up to hold any smell inside.
The family run business is based in Cornwall, UK, and their brand is called Duck Soup. All are hand-made and fully washable. I've had mine (used several times daily for dog walks), over 10 years, so far, with no signs of ware. They are more expensive, but like the Euroschirm hiking umbrella, well worth it.
Thx Heather great info to know
Tomorrow I start walking a Cotswolds here in England !
Sir, thanks a lot for this. Most videos about preparing for the Camino don't talk about this and, in my case, it is a very serious thing because I'm a very private person and a woman, so it's serious business. This will be my 1rst time doing the Camino and I'll probably be going alone, I am a little scare but it is something I feel I have to do, specially at this time of my life. I'll follow your tips for sure.😊
You are welcome Serral, there are many solo female walkers on the Camino, there is also a "solo female walkers" group on Facebook. I hope you have a wonderful walk
Thank you for the advice. 👍
Hope it helps Christy. Buen Camino
Thumbs up
Thx Patricia hope it helps
Excellent video. Very necessary info. Thank you.
Thx Nitro
Very helpful, thank you!
thanks Sandy!
Hope it helped Peggy and have a wonderful walk
Thank you
Glad it was helpful Julie
Good for you for making this vid. I'm sure many appreciate it although they wont say so. IMO
Thx Dave...it's a question a get asked from people who have never walked so i thought it would make sense. Appreciate your feedback
❤
thanks for this one. I was wondering about it!
No Problem! My wife was concerned so i thought others would be too, hope it helps. Buen Camino
Thank you ! Good chanel❤
Thx Vera, appreciate the kind feedback. Buen Camino!
Very important, have a lemon or lime, with you, suck it on tge walk, drink less water, also rind acts like a cud, keeps saliva going, magensium tablets, no cramps at night,
Hi, may I ask, what's the Lemmon helps to?
After watching this vlog I am feeling really pooped!
Umbrella will help hihi...
lol my biggest fear - I have the bladder the size of a baby - maybe I should wear a diaper lol
Wearing a skirt with leggings can be good for ladies. The skirt can be used to hide under.
Very good advice
Thx!
Good idea!
Dump in the woods, simple, bury it,
I agree with the belief that this is a privilege. Zero footprint. Global Park.
Thx Elizabeth - yes zero footprint...but alas there is a lot and i mean a lot of toilette paper on the Camino
I’d rather go medieval