Where do you carry your valuables?

[JabbaPapa]

OK I have been resisting the obvious English joke for long enough. Sorry for finally giving in.

My valuables, I keep them in my underpants. With the family jewels.

 

[Telboyo]

I must be an exception to the rule. I kept my national passport, credencial and wallet in the top pocket of my rucsac. I like to know where things are. At albergues they would stay in my bag when I went to the shower my phone would be left on my bed or plugged into to a socket to charge.
The vast majority of people in an albergue are probably very honest and unlikely to steal from others, by taking my stuff into the shower there is greater chance that I will forget it when finished. I lost 2 or 3 phone chargers leaving them behind in the mornings.
A place for everything and everything in its place

 

[Embee12]

For me, it is passport, phone and 2 bank/credit cards. With those items, i can travel the world.

Do you mean 2 of each? 2 ccs and 2 bank cards? And they would be stashed separately ( 1 of each in pack, say, the others in person)?

 

[trecile]

Do you mean 2 of each? 2 ccs and 2 bank cards? And they would be stashed separately ( 1 of each in pack, say, the others in person)?

That's what I do - two CCs and two Debit cards. The backup cards are kept hidden.

 

[C clearly]

Do you mean 2 of each? 2 ccs and 2 bank cards? And they would be stashed separately ( 1 of each in pack, say, the others in person)?

I take 1 bank and 2 credit cards, all carried on my person - normally in fabric wallet inside my pants, but moved to my cross-body bag if I expect to use one. Never in my back pack! I virtually never remove the cross-body bag, and I switch the interior pouch from my walking pamts to evening pants when I shower. Those two pouches are simply not to be lost.

 

[WGroleau]

As a British person I have just nervously googled ‘fanny pack’ in a busy Spanish bar! Thankfully it showed me the ‘USA version’!

An Australian explained that to me when I (from USA) wondered "Why do we call it a "fanny pack" when nobody wears it on their fanny?" (USA "fanny" = British "bum")

 

[trecile]

An Australian explained that to me when I (from USA) wondered "Why do we call it a "fanny pack" when nobody wears it on their fanny?" (USA "fanny" = British "bum")

Waist pack or bag seems more accurate to me.

 

[Sharonih]

Hi all,
I'm wondering what system do you use to carry your valuables (passport, cash, credit cards etc)? Do you reccomend carrying them outside the backpack in some sort of a fanny pack? In your pocket, so they are on you at all times? I'm thinking about situations like going to the bathroom in a café, where I don't suppose I'll be wearing my main backpack
Any insight and tips much appreciated,
Michal.don

I use a money belt around my waist or neck to carry all valuables, with getting my passport out discreetly before getting to my Albergue. Bonus is my pack strap has a discreet pocket that I carry my daily cash in that I take out every time my pack is off

 

[Kari204]

So I'll avoid some details, but nowadays nearly ALL transactions for me take place using my iPhone and ApplePay. My phone is kept in my pocket, so I can take pictures, look up places to see, monitor GPS directions, etc. I pay for nearly everything with my phone. Passport/credential kept in special pocket in brain of backpack and pulled once a day and immediately put back where they belong once used each night. Cash, never more than 200 euro carried and usually less, carried discretely.

Hi Damien - Just curious, like you I use ApplePay for everything at home. My question is - Is ApplePay, or digital payments in general, widely available along the Camino (Spain)?

 

[Former member 92300]

If a "fanny pack" that I wore at all times except in the shower and depending on where I was and who I was with... sometimes I removed while I slept. But it always went in the shower with me and at night it was always in a locker, in my sleeping bag, or worn around my waist. Yes - I slept with it on at night quite often - didn't bother me at all, just shifted it to a comfortable position. Nothing of value was in my backpack. At least - nothing that I couldn't survive without if stolen.

 

[trecile]

Hi Damien - Just curious, like you I use ApplePay for everything at home. My question is - Is ApplePay, or digital payments in general, widely available along the Camino (Spain)?

You can use Apple Pay or Google Pay anywhere where you can use contactless "tap to pay" credit and debit cards.

 

[Kanga]

My passport, mobile phone, and a tiny wallet (two credit cards and a bit of cash) go in the deep pockets of my skirt. One of the main reasons I wear a Macabi is for the pockets, including the clever inner security pocket with a zip that is upside down.

I am now so used to pockets, and it is so automatic to put my wallet and phone in them, that I run into trouble without them. Only yesterday I donned a summer dress (with no pockets) and managed to leave my wallet and phone at home.

 

[Bradypus]

I am now so used to pockets, and it is so automatic to put my wallet and phone in them, that I run into trouble without them.

I started buying hiking trousers with zipped pockets specially for my long distance walking years ago. My mobile phone, passport, credencial, cash and bank cards all fit in the pockets in waterproof pouches. I quickly realised how useful the zipped pockets are and these days I rarely wear any other trousers even when at home.

My valuables, I keep them in my underpants. With the family jewels.

When I read your post my thoughts somehow shifted towards "Pulp Fiction" and the story of the watch.....

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

When I read your post my thoughts somehow shifted towards "Pulp Fiction" and the story of the watch.....

I didn't remember this so I looked it up.

Pulp Fiction Watch: What Does It Mean in the Film?

The Watch Company, TWC Japan brand watch shop features a huge selection of Rolex Watches, Omega Watches, Hublot Watches, Zenith Watches, Tag Heuer, Seiko, Citizen, and other watches at discounted prices. Our shop is located in Tokyo Nakano which is one of the famous local area in Japan for watch...

www.thewatchcompany.com

 

[lisagb]

You can use Apple Pay or Google Pay anywhere where you can use contactless "tap to pay" credit and debit cards.

However contact pay is not available everywhere and gîtes and albergues prefer cash and some only take cash.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Hi Damien - Just curious, like you I use ApplePay for everything at home. My question is - Is ApplePay, or digital payments in general, widely available along the Camino (Spain)?

Absolutely. Basically anywhere that takes credit cards. They all have wireless handheld terminals.

 

[David Tallan]

Absolutely. Basically anywhere that takes credit cards. They all have wireless handheld terminals.

I haven't been on Camino since the BC days (Before Covid). If ApplePay is "absolutely" widely available as an option along the Camino, that's a fairly big change over the past couple of years. Before that, outside of towns the Camino was primarily a cash economy and I would withdraw a few day's worth of cash when I was in a town with an ATM.

 

[Anthony18]

Hi all,
I'm wondering what system do you use to carry your valuables (passport, cash, credit cards etc)? Do you reccomend carrying them outside the backpack in some sort of a fanny pack? In your pocket, so they are on you at all times? I'm thinking about situations like going to the bathroom in a café, where I don't suppose I'll be wearing my main backpack
Any insight and tips much appreciated,
Michal.don

I wore Columbia hiking pants that that zipped off into shorts. I would carry my wallet in my front pocket and my pilgrim passport along with my travel passport in the opposite front pocket. Never had a problem. There were times when I actually slept with my valuables in my pockets. I would NEVER recommend leaving your wallet, passports, or phone in your backpack. If it gets stolen, your trip will be over for sure.

 

[malingerer]

As if I'm going to tell the Internet where I stash my stuff!!!!!!!

In my pockets. In a dry bag in the showers. In a body belt in any Pickpocket Central. Never separated from me, ever. And you may be my best new Camino buddy ever but, no thanks, you don't get to look after my stuff.

Just remember that for a predator waist belt bag means worthwhile target

My valuables came attached to me at birth

Samarkand

 

[Damien Reynolds]

I haven't been on Camino since the BC days (Before Covid). If ApplePay is "absolutely" widely available as an option along the Camino, that's a fairly big change over the past couple of years. Before that, outside of towns the Camino was primarily a cash economy and I would withdraw a few day's worth of cash when I was in a town with an ATM.

Well I'm on Camino #5 in the last two years and you can trust me the change has happened.

 

[henrythedog]

Well I'm on Camino #5 in the last two years and you can trust me the change has happened.

It has. Buskers and big-issue sellers in rural Cumbria have handheld payment devices now.

I still wouldn’t set off on Camino without a decent amount of cash though.


(Damien - is that moustache new or have you recently changed your avatar?)

 

[trecile]

(Damien - is that moustache new or have you recently changed your avatar?)

Maybe Damien decided to change his avatar after this post.

Most enthusiastic - no competition here: @Damien Reynolds. Either he’s really enjoying his camino or he’s just won Powerball

 

[Damien Reynolds]

(Damien - is that moustache new or have you recently changed your avatar?)

Both! I shaved the beard the day I arrived in Portugal! I changed my avatar tonight...

 

[henrythedog]

Both! I shaved the beard the day I arrived in Portugal! I changed my avatar tonight...

Change it back Damien, trust me.

(This from a man who uses a picture of his dog so as to not frighten those of a nervous disposition)

 

[Damien Reynolds]

@trecile and

Maybe Damien decided to change his avatar after this post.

too funny. Purely a coincidence.

 

[David Tallan]

Both! I shaved the beard the day I arrived in Portugal! I changed my avatar tonight...

I remember when I shaved my beard everyone commented that I had grown a moustache, too.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Change it back Damien, trust me.

(This from a man who uses a picture of his dog so as to not frighten those of a nervous disposition)

Ok. That hurts. You don't like the 'stache?

 

[henrythedog]

Ok. That hurts. You don't like the 'stache?

Honestly?

No.

The full on beardy laughing-at-the-world Damien, was better.

I don’t intend to hurt, I’m as ugly as sin and don’t look down on anyone.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Honestly?

No.

The full on beardy laughing-at-the-world Damien, was better.

I don’t intend to hurt, I’m as ugly as sin and don’t look down on anyone.

Maybe I can try a laughing at the world mustache dude. I mean I don't want to false advertise. That's my mission for tomorrow as I head on a short ass day to Coimbra.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

@trecile and

too funny. Purely a coincidence.

I think your new Avatar looks great.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

I think your new Avatar looks great.

Ahh. You're sweet. Take that dog dude. Now I don't know what to do. But either way, this thread should not be about my avatar.

It should be about using and carrying the least amount of cash possible and doing so in the most efficient and secure way.

 

[Jodean]

I like using cash. Living in Germany, I pay for almost everything with cash even though I have an EC debit card. It keeps me on budget. The Camino is the same. Everyone has their preferences and for me, cash is easier. Guess I am just old school.

 

[Nekai]

Old school, yes, but they work! Put them on with your underwear and you'll never loose either.

Pickpockets *love* fanny packs. Thank you for identifying yourself as dumb American tourist, an easy mark!

Apologies to UK readers who have a different definition of the term "fanny".


-Paul

Yes, I learned in Oz to call them "bum bags" even though "bum" has a different meaning in the US.
At least it's not a meaning that relates to a specific body part, though.

 

[RolfMagener]

For daytime use whilst walking I use a Eagle Creek hidden pocket that attaches to my belt and tucks in or I put it in one of my cargo pockets in my pants... For evenings or shower time or out on the town I put everything into my PacSafe mini pouch and lock it to the bunk bed. One even can fit electronics such as pones and small cameras in it.

 

[gargar]

I use something like this in metros.

You clip it to your waist, and instead of its face out, I have it in my pants and pressed on my body. When I have the shirt tuck out it's not noticeable.

 

[thejoker]

If Alexei Sayle ever walked the Camino, there's no doubt he would keep his valuables in the same places as where he keeps tropical fish. A very wise place for precious things.