One Week to Go

30 Seconds of Philosophy

I have begun making my own caminos.

Enjoyed all my official caminos in Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Ireland and Germany.

And any camino is a time for outward experiences and inward learning.

After awhile, perhaps, one begins to feel that the journey is more inward rather than outward, meaning it is less about the markers along the trail and more about the directions inside.

That was my thoughts earlier in my Camino travels. This time, I will hike nowhere, but remain for 15 days in Ribadiso tending to the needs of Pilgrims. 

Instead of having stories to tell, I will be listening. The act of sitting silently while others share will be new for me. Rather than the source, I will be the sink. 

These will be interesting times.

Task List

Entry Requirements:

Currently, US citizens can travel to Europe for up to 90 days without any sort of travel authorization.
However, US citizens now visiting parts of Europe must process thru the Schengen immigration checks on arrival to the first Schengen port of entry. For us that will be Madrid. 

The purpose is to monitor which guests overstay the 90-day limit.

There is nothing to fill out in advance. (There is no app for Android phones yet.) 

So when we arrive, we will give our fingerprints and a facial scan. I can only hope that 

- the system is up and running

- there is not an inordinate amount of stations out of commission

- there are sufficient personnel on hand to handle issues

- that there is not a slew of inbound flights at the same time as us.

Travel:

Plane Ticket Reservations and Check-in. We should be able to check-in online, but will still need to report to the counter as we are international travel. Also have a my backpack to check-in.
Passport valid for duration of trip + 6 months
Visa Requirements: No visa required for Schengen Zone

EU entry: See above.
TSA Precheck within the U.S.

TSA Global Entry Card to expedite processing on return to the U.S.
TSA approved Mobile Passport app

Health Care: 

Medicare does not provide coverage outside of the U.S. Purchase travel insurance that provides for, at least, major medical, transportation while injured/sick and return of remains to U.S.

Travel Insurance: 

Starr Insurance / John Hancock Gold Plan @ 199$

Medical: AD&D @ $250,000
Medical Evac & Remains Repatriation @ $1,000,000

Trip Cancelation @ 100%; Trip Interruption @ 150%, up to $100,000
Bag delay / Baggage: $2500

Electronics

Phone charger/cable(s), USA -> spanish power adapter.

Hearing aid charger & cable & repair kit

Fitbit and charge cable

Finance

Check expiration date on credit/debit cards. Done.
Auto Insurance. Phone Payments. Done.
Notify banks of travel locations / dates so cards aren't locked. Done.
Visa lost/stolen -  M&T lost stolen  Phone #s; card #s, etc
Credit and debit card pin numbers verified and memorized

Misc:

Hold mail. Done.

Medical:

Covid, RSV and Flu shots: up to date

- Just got a booster for Covid the other day. 
Prescriptions: up to date

Calling Spain

Exit Code: 011 or +

Country Code: 34

Phone Number: 9 digits

Calling the USA from Spain

Exit Code: 00 or +

Country Code: 1

Area Code & Phone Number

Date	17 July 2026
Total All Caminos:	2450 miles
Total Lodging:
Total Airplane(s) / Trvl Insrnc:	$ 1000 / $ 199
Total Transportation:	$ 1000