What if your backpack gets lost?

[rvhelmondt]

Hi,

I’m Renee and I was supposed to start my Camino Portugues today in Porto. Yesterday I arrived early in the morning, but my backpack never did. The lost&found at the airport told me to not wait and that chances would be that if they found it, it would be sent on the flight of the same evening with KLM. But waking up today, nothing. Feeling disregulated and really doubting what to do here. How long do I wait for my backpack and what if it doesn’t come at all. Literally everything is in there. The only thing I have is my outfit I wore during my flight and some basic stuff i bought yesterday to charge my phone and change my clothes.

What would you do?

 

[Flog]

I'm sorry for your predicament. I had to deal with just such a scenario on my son's behalf just last week when KLM failed to load his pack at Dublin and it never showed up when he arrived in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. He couldn't get it sorted at his end, and he was a bit anxious (not half as much as we were!) but I contacted the desk at Dublin, where they were able to confirm it's location, arranged it's quickest route and sent me and him the flight details and times. It arrived 30 hours later, not a bad outcome, considering it was literally half way around the world. He had his valuables on his person and we told him to just go out, buy a pair of shorts and a toothbrush and relax.. all was fine!

I would suggest you call the KLM desk at the airport you departed and get them to take responsibility. They will be able to pinpoint it's last scanned location. Meanwhile, can I suggest you just hop on the metro into Porto and relax for a day or so. If you're not overly fashion conscious, pick up a few cheap bits from a china shop to tide you over. there are worse places to be stuck.

It will work out..

 

[Anhalter]

Always a hassle, sorry for you.

If you have a bit time to spare, get some "emergency supplies" and stay in Porto for a day. If the pack shows up by tomorrow, you are good to go.

If it does not or if you can not wait... thats the tricky bit. Technically the airline is obliged to reimburse you up to around 1500€ of items you buy because of your luggage arrives delayed/is lost. So, again, technically you can walk up to decathlon or whatever, get new stuff, do your camino and get your original backpack delivered somewhere.
There are only two problems. First, you need to have that amount of money available. Secondly, you need to get your money back from the airline. And from my experience, they will try absolutely everything they can that is not completely illegal to avoid doing this. No matter which airline.

So personally, I'd go buy a pair of undies and a toothbrush and hang in Porto for a day and hope for the best. It's not the worst place to spend a day.

 

[Roland49]

Sorry to hear about your lost baggage. Just contact one of the claims-agencies.

They helped me 2 times my flights were cancelled. They max out the amount of damages and take 15-30% of the total payout as their payment. You just have to give them your details, details of flight, etc. and the work will be done. Just works brilliant.

I don't want to advertise for a specific firm, but they do have advertisements in many airports.

 

[Flog]

you need to get your money back from the airline. And from my experience, they will try absolutely everything they can that is not completely illegal to avoid doing this.

They max out the amount of damages and take 15-30% of the total payout as their payment. You just have to give them your details, datails of flight, etc. and the work will be done. Just works brilliant.

Please, don't be suggesting starting out on a camino with a claim/compensation mindset, or looking to max out damages. It will work out. And if the bag doesn't turn up, go from there. Buen Camino, don't worry!

And before I'm accused of selective quoting again, I'm quoting what's relevant.

 

[Roland49]

And before I'm accused of selective quoting again, I'm quoting what's relevant.

If you have legitimate claims for damages, you should get them!
The airlines do everything in their power not to respect the rights of passengers, if they made a mistake.
Unfortunately, this is sad reality.

Maybe to clear a potential misunderstanding: I see the transport to and from and the Camino itself as two totally different parts of the voyage, that should be handled in different ways.

 

[Flog]

The airlines do everything in their power not to respect the rights of passengers, if they made a mistake.
Unfortunately, this is sad reality.

That's nothing new, and isn't confined to airlines. No company likes to pay out compensation.

Maybe to clear a potential misunderstanding: I see the transport to and from and the Camino itself as two totally different parts of the voyage, that should be handled in different

There's no misunderstanding on my part, my camino starts when I pull my front door behind me.

Edit: BTW, I'm not saying don't make a legitimate claim if you're seriously inconvenienced. I'm suggesting not to set out with that mindset, it's not a good way to begin..

 

[J Willhaus]

Sorry this happened to you and I hope it won't dampen your spirits for the Camino. I would have 2 plans. One to wait and see if your bag arrives and the second to prepare ro buy a few essentials and just begin. I would give KLM a day or so and then strike out of they don't come through.

 

[Roland49]

Edit: BTW, I'm not saying don't make a legitimate claim if you're seriously inconvenienced. I'm suggesting not to set out with that mindset, it's not a good way to begin..

I can see your point, but I'm sure the OP didn't wanted to set out that way.
The fault is to be seen at the airline (or airport). To minimize those risks I don't check in my luggage on a trip to or from a Camino, so I'm unstressed from start to end.

 

[rvhelmondt]

UPDATE:

My bag has been found and dropped of at my hotel! Starting my camino as we speak. Thank you for all your comments and words!

 

[TaijiPilgrim]

Good for you, Renee. Bom Caminho.

 

[t2andreo]

At the risk of being roundly thrashed by my colleagues here, in the forum, might I suggest this could be an instance of “the Camino provides?”

In this case, it was a positive solution to the problem - and on a timely basis.

I am very glad that it all worked out.

 

[bullingtonce]

Hi,

I’m Renee and I was supposed to start my Camino Portugues today in Porto. Yesterday I arrived early in the morning, but my backpack never did. The lost&found at the airport told me to not wait and that chances would be that if they found it, it would be sent on the flight of the same evening with KLM. But waking up today, nothing. Feeling disregulated and really doubting what to do here. How long do I wait for my backpack and what if it doesn’t come at all. Literally everything is in there. The only thing I have is my outfit I wore during my flight and some basic stuff i bought yesterday to charge my phone and change my clothes.

What would you do?

I do not want to make light of this, but it is, to some degree, nothing more than one of life's unexpected challenges that life, and not you, make happen. You will be measured by how you deal with this unfortunate situation and will have to cope for a period with a quite difficult situation that is more than just physically challenging. You will do what you can, when you can, as you can, regardless of whether it shows up or not and when this Camino is over, although not now of course, this will most memorable for you.

 

[lt56ny]

Another reason why everyone should just take their pack as carry on.

 

[Flog]

UPDATE:

My bag has been found and dropped of at my hotel! Starting my camino as we speak. Thank you for all your comments and words!

Thanks for reporting back with a positive outcome.. Many put up a single request for help, get lots of responses and don't bother to.
Buen Camino

 

[Wanderingfriend]

Hi,

I’m Renee and I was supposed to start my Camino Portugues today in Porto. Yesterday I arrived early in the morning, but my backpack never did. The lost&found at the airport told me to not wait and that chances would be that if they found it, it would be sent on the flight of the same evening with KLM. But waking up today, nothing. Feeling disregulated and really doubting what to do here. How long do I wait for my backpack and what if it doesn’t come at all. Literally everything is in there. The only thing I have is my outfit I wore during my flight and some basic stuff i bought yesterday to charge my phone and change my clothes.

What would you do?

What would I do? I’d go buy what I would need for a couple of days, stay put at one address if they find it and deliver it. I would do some self care, breathe, have a nice meal. I usually play out worse case scenarios (for a short time) in my head (as it doesn’t usually happen) then work backwards from there with problem solving. I’d probably say to myself, well, I have the opportunity to pack lighter. A couple outfits will suffice, just a couple bandages. I can get some Tylenol (go to a pharmacy as it’s called something else). And I still have my legs and will have an amazing time. Then after that self talk, I’d wait for two days, trying not to worry about sorting out compensation or what ifs. I said TRYING. And then work really hard not to not let this wreck my Camino if it doesn’t show up. I’d also pick a location a couple days out, contact that Albergue about your situation and ask if they’d be willing to house your bag should it show up until you get there. That’s what I would do.

 

[Scott Sweeney]

Hi,

I’m Renee and I was supposed to start my Camino Portugues today in Porto. Yesterday I arrived early in the morning, but my backpack never did. The lost&found at the airport told me to not wait and that chances would be that if they found it, it would be sent on the flight of the same evening with KLM. But waking up today, nothing. Feeling disregulated and really doubting what to do here. How long do I wait for my backpack and what if it doesn’t come at all. Literally everything is in there. The only thing I have is my outfit I wore during my flight and some basic stuff i bought yesterday to charge my phone and change my clothes.

What would you do?

We were in Paris for three days in 2014, sorry.
Remember next time, don't check you bag. It will fit in the overhead.

 

[AidaYYC]

Another reason why everyone should just take their pack as carry on.

Yes, I did both times for the Frances in 2022 and Portugues in 2024 precisely because I did not want to be stuck waiting for my backpack to catch up with me. On the way home, I checked it both times.

 

[J Willhaus]

For some people it isn't an option for carry on depending on the fare, but I always carry my stuff on board. My husband likes to ship a bag with his poles and a pocket knife.

 

[henrythedog]

Another reason why everyone should just take their pack as carry on.

I’m fairly certain that the vast majority on here who have a delayed or lost pack would tell us. This is the first report I can recall in quite some time - and that’s in the context of a very large number of folk setting off on Camino. It’s a numbers game, just like crossing the road.

I always check my bag - but then I’m not crossing the Atlantic and it’s not a big deal if I have to hang around for a while.

 

[longlost18]

I'm a big believer in air tags in the backpack, even though I carry mine on. Saved my butt once on the Frances when I was suffering from 2 new blisters and decided to send my backpack with a transport company. Arrived at my next albergue, but my bag was not there. Air tag showed it still at the previous albergue. After a few phone calls, it arrived about an hour later.

 

[dougfitz]

Another reason why everyone should just take their pack as carry on.

Really. For some of us this is just not an option.

Remember next time, don't check you bag. It will fit in the overhead.

Yours might, mine won't, and I suspect I am not alone.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Hi,

I’m Renee and I was supposed to start my Camino Portugues today in Porto. ....

But waking up today, nothing. Feeling disregulated and really doubting what to do here. How long do I wait for my backpack and what if it doesn’t come at all. Literally everything is in there. The only thing I have is my outfit I wore during my flight and some basic stuff i bought yesterday to charge my phone and change my clothes.

What would you do?

Buy the bare minimum that you need and start walking.

 

[trecile]

Buy the bare minimum that you need and start walking.

Fortunately that's not necessary as the backpack has been found.

UPDATE:

My bag has been found and dropped of at my hotel! Starting my camino as we speak. Thank you for all your comments and words!

 

[Joynz]

Unless they have hiking pole

Another reason why everyone should just take their pack as carry on.

And only check their hiking poles?

 

[C clearly]

Unless they have hiking pole

And only check their hiking poles?

That depends on where they are travelling from and to, as described in this thread.

And yes, some people choose to check a few items but keep their hard-to-replace items (including backpack) in the cabin.

 

[Richard Smith]

I am glad the OP is getting her backpack returned, so since the problem is solved I feel able to offer a probably urban myth/story that was going the rounds back in 2016, but which would not have been useful advice for the OP.
>> A young man flew in to start the camino but his pack did not arrive. He started anyway, with what he had in the plane and a few cheap extras he bought. Some time later, when the airline contacted him and said his pack had been found he replied 'send it home, I am happy walking with what I have got'>>

 

[MarianneF]

Hi,

I’m Renee and I was supposed to start my Camino Portugues today in Porto. Yesterday I arrived early in the morning, but my backpack never did. The lost&found at the airport told me to not wait and that chances would be that if they found it, it would be sent on the flight of the same evening with KLM. But waking up today, nothing. Feeling disregulated and really doubting what to do here. How long do I wait for my backpack and what if it doesn’t come at all. Literally everything is in there. The only thing I have is my outfit I wore during my flight and some basic stuff i bought yesterday to charge my phone and change my clothes.

What would you do?

This is terrible. So sorry I hope you get it soon. It happened to a friend walking Via Podiensis a few months ago. He had pre-booked accommodation and could not wait around. After 3 days it was delivered to the Gite. However it was already there a day before and not told by the management at the gite. Provide them with your walking schedule and ask to get it delivered to the 2nd or 3rd day,'s albergue. All the best.

 

[trecile]

This is terrible. So sorry I hope you get it soon.

No worries. @rvhelmondt reported that it has been found in post #10.

 

[CWBuff]

I am glad the OP is getting her backpack returned, so since the problem is solved I feel able to offer a probably urban myth/story that was going the rounds back in 2016, but which would not have been useful advice for the OP.
>> A young man flew in to start the camino but his pack did not arrive. He started anyway, with what he had in the plane and a few cheap extras he bought. Some time later, when the airline contacted him and said his pack had been found he replied 'send it home, I am happy walking with what I have got'>>

...but which would not have been useful advice for the OP.

Why not?
Exactly the same thing happened to a friend of mine this past spring. She couldn't spend any extra days waiting for stuff to show up so she went to Decathlon and bought the minimal she needed to start walking. The bag, when found, was sent home....

OK, situation like this is not completely happy but it IS a solution to go and start your Camino; chalk it up to "Plan B" or "When life serves you lemons learn to make lemonade" or whatever...

Thankfully OP got her backpack so she is good

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

Hi,

I’m Renee and I was supposed to start my Camino Portugues today in Porto. Yesterday I arrived early in the morning, but my backpack never did. The lost&found at the airport told me to not wait and that chances would be that if they found it, it would be sent on the flight of the same evening with KLM. But waking up today, nothing. Feeling disregulated and really doubting what to do here. How long do I wait for my backpack and what if it doesn’t come at all. Literally everything is in there. The only thing I have is my outfit I wore during my flight and some basic stuff i bought yesterday to charge my phone and change my clothes.

What would you do?

We had this happen in Lisbon a month ago, coming from Canada. We had 2 connecting flights; our first flight was late and just made the connection with the second, but the packed luggage didn't make it.

If Porto is much like Lisbon, and I suspect it is, the delayed luggage for all airlines is contracted out to a separate agency. We saw the Lisbon one (a "lost-luggage" office within the baggage pick-up part of the terminal) and reported our missing luggage. Quite a few other people also had missing luggage from this flight. We were in the lucky situation of having clothes here, so not such a big deal as for a caminho walker, but others in our situation were not so lucky. They were asked for contact info, and it was suggested the luggage would likely turn up within 24 hours.

As it turned out, the 24 hours turned into 36 or 48. We had headed north to Barquinha by then. When they contacted us, they said their contract said they would deliver door-to-door for 30 km (20 miles +-) surrounding Lisbon, and beyond that, they would deliver it prepaid by bus to the nearest town with a bus terminal. For us, that was Torres Novas, a taxi ride away from where we are in Barquinha. We were advised to wait for a call/text from the TN bus terminal; that happened and we picked up all our bags. All was well. Nothing missing.

I know, when I was in the office at Lisbon airport, there were several travellers who were booked to move on almost immediately from Lisbon, but with fairly open plans. The office was dubious about contacting them with the lost luggage, and advised they stay in Lisbon until the luggage arrived.

I would suspect your situation in Porto would be similar. Lots to do in Porto, and the smaller towns are somewhat closed down right now with the forest fires, so I'd just stay put, and wait for your luggage to join you.

Bom caminho!

[Edit: I see the original post-er has had her backpack delivered; good news and I obviously jumped the gun in responding. But the essentials remain true. Wait a bit; chances are, it will turn up!]

 

[Kathor1]

I'd also like to thank the OP for the feedback.

So it was a KLM flight from the Netherlands to Porto where the OP arrived in the early morning. KLM initially said that they'd expect the backpack to be delivered with their evening flight but apparently this did not happen. By the early afternoon of the following day, the backpack had been delivered to the OP's hotel in Porto, as described in post #10.

 

[lt56ny]

Unless they have hiking pole

And only check their hiking poles?

You can do that or you can do what I do. (I know some people have expensive poles or poles they love so checking is the way to go). I buy my poles when I arrive, and when I get to Santiago I donate them to Pilgrim House. This may not be practical for those on a super tight schedule.

 

[lt56ny]

Really. For some of us this is just not an option.


Yours might, mine won't, and I suspect I am not alone.

Got it @dougfitz. My old backpack was pretty big and risked it the first time but luckily it fit in the overhead with just a little extra push!

 

[lt56ny]

I’m fairly certain that the vast majority on here who have a delayed or lost pack would tell us. This is the first report I can recall in quite some time - and that’s in the context of a very large number of folk setting off on Camino. It’s a numbers game, just like crossing the road.

I always check my bag - but then I’m not crossing the Atlantic and it’s not a big deal if I have to hang around for a while.

Good to have that luxury of time.

 

[lt56ny]

Yes, I did both times for the Frances in 2022 and Portugues in 2024 precisely because I did not want to be stuck waiting for my backpack to catch up with me. On the way home, I checked it both times.

To be safe I like to take it on the plane in both directions.

 

[JustOneGuy]

Another reason why everyone should just take their pack as carry on.

Frankly, I avoid checking luggage whenever I can. However, I have to say that in 30 and more years of traveling all over the world, probably totaling several hundred flights, I have NEVER lost a single piece of checked baggage.

In the end, is it worth the hassle of bringing oversized backpacks into the cabin (at the risk of paying a fine and bothering other passengers) when the probability of losing your luggage on good airlines is so low?

I did have a baggage delay once, I must say. I was traveling from Chile back to the UK on British Airways. It was around 2009 as far as I remember. There was a huge storm and a storage area at Heathrow Airport was flooded.

So what did they do? They loaded a bunch of cargo B747's and sent all that luggage to the USA!!!

...

Moral of the story: I got my bag about 6 months later. Every time I called BA to complain, they told me they knew where my bag was and that it would be delivered soon.

One Sunday they called me and told me they were about to deliver it to me. I didn't even remember what I had packed in it. When I opened the suitcase, there were several pieces of dirty clothes, chalked like fossils preserved by the permafrost ... (I had been wandering around in the Atacama Desert for work reasons) and a lot of bottles of pisco - a fantastic Peruvian liquor that many people do not know about, mainly used to make "pisco sour", an amazing cocktail - and other gifts for my wife and son that I had completely forgotten about.

For me and my family it was like a Christmas present... .

Anyway, I read that the backpack finally arrived. All is well that ends well. Buen camino @rvhelmondt !

 

[CWBuff]

I have to say that I was slightly disappointed by Pisco (had a go at it during my Camino Inca outing) but to each their own and we all cannot like the same thing all the time.
I do like the "Christmas present" ending! its like finding a $20.00 in a pocket of some coat that you forgot was hanging into your back closet.....

and as far a the lost luggage goes - never had one lost, delayed only one time flying from Kiev UKR to JFK via CdG (and I think it was in CdG that it got 'sidetracked'). 2010, Delta\Air France
They SWORE that the suitcase will be delivered to my house in Philly suburb "tomorrow".... and sure enough it was! But then it was a pre-COVID World... "Things are different today, " I hear every Pilgrim say...."

And also for the record I do check my backpack (yes the poles!) For better or worse I make SURE that I fly out of US on a N\S flight; I might ease off on a return one to have a connection

Buen Camino Y'All

 

[AidaYYC]

Frankly, I avoid checking luggage whenever I can. However, I have to say that in 30 and more years of traveling all over the world, probably totaling several hundred flights, I have NEVER lost a single piece of checked baggage.

In the end, is it worth the hassle of bringing oversized backpacks into the cabin (at the risk of paying a fine and bothering other passengers) when the probability of losing your luggage on good airlines is so low?

I did have a baggage delay once, I must say. I was traveling from Chile back to the UK on British Airways. It was around 2009 as far as I remember. There was a huge storm and a storage area at Heathrow Airport was flooded.

So what did they do? They loaded a bunch of cargo B747's and sent all that luggage to the USA!!!

...

Moral of the story: I got my bag about 6 months later. Every time I called BA to complain, they told me they knew where my bag was and that it would be delivered soon.

One Sunday they called me and told me they were about to deliver it to me. I didn't even remember what I had packed in it. When I opened the suitcase, there were several pieces of dirty clothes, chalked like fossils preserved by the permafrost ... and a lot of bottles of pisco - a fantastic Peruvian liquor that many people do not know about, mainly used to make "pisco sour", an amazing cocktail - and other gifts for my wife and son that I had completely forgotten about.

For me and my family it was like a Christmas present... .

Anyway, I read that the backpack finally arrived. All is well that ends well. Buen camino @rvhelmondt !

I am glad you got your pisco delivered with your backpack, it would have been a shame to have it lost, which reminds me I still have some left in my cabinet. Must make a batch of pisco sour ... SALUD

 

[Unweekends]

Hi,

I’m Renee and I was supposed to start my Camino Portugues today in Porto. Yesterday I arrived early in the morning, but my backpack never did. The lost&found at the airport told me to not wait and that chances would be that if they found it, it would be sent on the flight of the same evening with KLM. But waking up today, nothing. Feeling disregulated and really doubting what to do here. How long do I wait for my backpack and what if it doesn’t come at all. Literally everything is in there. The only thing I have is my outfit I wore during my flight and some basic stuff i bought yesterday to charge my phone and change my clothes.

What would you do?

I'm very happy to hear your backpack was found and returned in a timely fashion. I had my luggage lost once ( domestic flight). The very next day was a graduation I flew in for ( fancy clothes). Unfortunately mine took 2 days to return, by then the event was over. I had to hit the stores & take what I could get. It was a horrible experience. From them on, I will never check a bag again, I pack light & carry- on only!

 

[JustOneGuy]

I have to say that I was slightly disappointed by Pisco (had a go at it during my Camino Inca outing) but to each their own and we all cannot like the same thing all the time.
I do like the "Christmas present" ending! its like finding a $20.00 in a pocket of some coat that you forgot was hanging into your back closet.....

and as far a the lost luggage goes - never had one lost, delayed only one time flying from Kiev UKR to JFK via CdG (and I think it was in CdG that it got 'sidetracked'). 2010, Delta\Air France
They SWORE that the suitcase will be delivered to my house in Philly suburb "tomorrow".... and sure enough it was! But then it was a pre-COVID World... "Things are different today, " I hear every Pilgrim say...."

And also for the record I do check my backpack (yes the poles!) For better or worse I make SURE that I fly out of US on a N\S flight; I might ease off on a return one to have a connection

Buen Camino Y'All

that HUGE mismanagement of luggage at Heathrow was a major scandal at the time, but as usually with airlines, quickly forgotten: tens of thousands luggages where delayed.

And a note: Pisco is too strong for the stomach. You need to make it "sour"!

 

[lt56ny]

Frankly, I avoid checking luggage whenever I can. However, I have to say that in 30 and more years of traveling all over the world, probably totaling several hundred flights, I have NEVER lost a single piece of checked baggage.

In the end, is it worth the hassle of bringing oversized backpacks into the cabin (at the risk of paying a fine and bothering other passengers) when the probability of losing your luggage on good airlines is so low?

I did have a baggage delay once, I must say. I was traveling from Chile back to the UK on British Airways. It was around 2009 as far as I remember. There was a huge storm and a storage area at Heathrow Airport was flooded.

So what did they do? They loaded a bunch of cargo B747's and sent all that luggage to the USA!!!

...

Moral of the story: I got my bag about 6 months later. Every time I called BA to complain, they told me they knew where my bag was and that it would be delivered soon.

One Sunday they called me and told me they were about to deliver it to me. I didn't even remember what I had packed in it. When I opened the suitcase, there were several pieces of dirty clothes, chalked like fossils preserved by the permafrost ... and a lot of bottles of pisco - a fantastic Peruvian liquor that many people do not know about, mainly used to make "pisco sour", an amazing cocktail - and other gifts for my wife and son that I had completely forgotten about.

For me and my family it was like a Christmas present... .

Anyway, I read that the backpack finally arrived. All is well that ends well. Buen camino @rvhelmondt !

I have been to Peru and have sampled Pisco Sours. I have to say the drink is really tasty. The problem with Pisco Sours is that they are so good they also mask their potency. I was with a group in Lima and we were getting ready to walk an extended Inca Trail. Fantastic. We went to a karaoke in Lima. (I think it is one of the main entertainment activities for Peruvians, lots of fun). am not a big drinker and after I finished my second Pisco Sour I stood up and the world was going counter clockwise. I quickly sat down and everyone laughed! Also I was told a few times in Peru that there is a rivalry and a very strong disagreement with Chile over which country discovered the joys of a Pisco Sour.

 

[JustOneGuy]

I have been to Peru and have sampled Pisco Sours. I have to say the drink is really tasty. The problem with Pisco Sours is that they are so good they also mask their potency. I was with a group in Lima and we were getting ready to walk an extended Inca Trail. Fantastic. We went to a karaoke in Lima. (I think it is one of the main entertainment activities for Peruvians, lots of fun). am not a big drinker and after I finished my second Pisco Sour I stood up and the world was going counter clockwise. I quickly sat down and everyone laughed! Also I was told a few times in Peru that there is a rivalry and a very strong disagreement with Chile over which country discovered the joys of a Pisco Sour.

I expect that this will be cut down by the moderators as I - unintentionally - started another big off-topic: lost backpack -> pisco. Sorry guys!

Actually, I avoided telling you that after those bottles arrived, well "seasoned" in my suitcase, we started having a little drink every night, without the sour part...

Well... after a few days I started to get gastritis at night. Then the next night, and so on and so forth.

Finally I realized that pisco is addictive and also a great way to quickly get an ulcer... and stopped drinking it.

As for the Chile-Peru question, I lived in Chile for several years (after that trip) and I know it well, but even most Chileans know that it is a Peruvian product, period. Then they say that the best pisco comes from Chile, and that could be debatable.

 

[lt56ny]

I expect that this will be cut down by the moderators as I - unintentionally - started another big off-topic: lost backpack -> pisco. Sorry guys!

Actually, I avoided telling you that after those bottles arrived, well "seasoned" in my suitcase, we started having a little drink every night, without the sour part...

Well... after a few days I started to get gastritis at night. Then the next night, and so on and so forth.

Finally I realized that pisco is addictive and also a great way to quickly get an ulcer... and stopped drinking it.

As for the Chile-Peru question, I lived in Chile for several years (after that trip) and I know it well, but even most Chileans know that it is a Peruvian product, period. Then they say that the best pisco comes from Chile, and that could be debatable.

You know I thought about what I wrote after I posted. And I remembered I didn't remember if the dispute was where was the origin of the drink but who made the better one. Thanks for clarifying my fading memories!

 

[AidaYYC]

I have been to Peru and have sampled Pisco Sours. I have to say the drink is really tasty. The problem with Pisco Sours is that they are so good they also mask their potency. I was with a group in Lima and we were getting ready to walk an extended Inca Trail. Fantastic. We went to a karaoke in Lima. (I think it is one of the main entertainment activities for Peruvians, lots of fun). am not a big drinker and after I finished my second Pisco Sour I stood up and the world was going counter clockwise. I quickly sat down and everyone laughed! Also I was told a few times in Peru that there is a rivalry and a very strong disagreement with Chile over which country discovered the joys of a Pisco Sour.

Rivalry as to which country discovered Pisco Sours, yes - I am from Chile and have prepared many in my days, but who cares for the apparent rivalry; both countries produce and enjoy Pisco, that is all that matters. Buen Camino, Pilgrims

 

[Shston Girlfd]

Hi,

I’m Renee and I was supposed to start my Camino Portugues today in Porto. Yesterday I arrived early in the morning, but my backpack never did. The lost&found at the airport told me to not wait and that chances would be that if they found it, it would be sent on the flight of the same evening with KLM. But waking up today, nothing. Feeling disregulated and really doubting what to do here. How long do I wait for my backpack and what if it doesn’t come at all. Literally everything is in there. The only thing I have is my outfit I wore during my flight and some basic stuff i bought yesterday to charge my phone and change my clothes.

What would you do?

Happened to me as well- make sure you keep your boarding passes and baggage ticket. I ended up completely replacing my possessions but no reimbursement because I didn’t keep my papers. Enjoy Porto - they have a Desportes

 

[ilbestro12]

For some people it isn't an option for carry on depending on the fare, but I always carry my stuff on board. My husband likes to ship a bag with his poles and a pocket knife.

Heck yeah ! I missed my pocket knofe on my camino, lol

 

[512]

At the risk of being roundly thrashed by my colleagues here, in the forum, might I suggest this could be an instance of “the Camino provides?”

In this case, it was a positive solution to the problem - and on a timely basis.

I am very glad that it all worked out.

The KLaMino

 

[Canada Wanders]

Hi,

I’m Renee and I was supposed to start my Camino Portugues today in Porto. Yesterday I arrived early in the morning, but my backpack never did. The lost&found at the airport told me to not wait and that chances would be that if they found it, it would be sent on the flight of the same evening with KLM. But waking up today, nothing. Feeling disregulated and really doubting what to do here. How long do I wait for my backpack and what if it doesn’t come at all. Literally everything is in there. The only thing I have is my outfit I wore during my flight and some basic stuff i bought yesterday to charge my phone and change my clothes.

What would you do?

This exact thing happened time in 2019. My wife and I had split most of our stuff, and she did carryon, while I did the hiking poles, etc. The airline said they would get the bag and send it to meet me along the Camino, but we would not be able to stay at anyplace except hotels that had proper addresses and front staff. It did meet up with me, but we had already done 5 days!

 

[TulasiPriya]

I have to say that I was slightly disappointed by Pisco (had a go at it during my Camino Inca outing) but to each their own and we all cannot like the same thing all the time.
I do like the "Christmas present" ending! its like finding a $20.00 in a pocket of some coat that you forgot was hanging into your back closet.....

and as far a the lost luggage goes - never had one lost, delayed only one time flying from Kiev UKR to JFK via CdG (and I think it was in CdG that it got 'sidetracked'). 2010, Delta\Air France
They SWORE that the suitcase will be delivered to my house in Philly suburb "tomorrow".... and sure enough it was! But then it was a pre-COVID World... "Things are different today, " I hear every Pilgrim say...."

And also for the record I do check my backpack (yes the poles!) For better or worse I make SURE that I fly out of US on a N\S flight; I might ease off on a return one to have a connection

Buen Camino Y'All

What does N\S mean, please?

 

[WGroleau]

Exactly the same thing happened to a friend of mine this past spring. She couldn't spend any extra days waiting for stuff to show up so she went to Decathlon and bought the minimal she needed to start walking. The bag, when found, was sent home....

When I consider my trade-offs between "traveling light" and convenience, I remind myself that the only thing I can't buy in Spain is the data on my electronic devices. So the only reason to bring anything else is if the convenience of not having to go buy it outweighs the disadvantage of carrying or the risk of losing.

 

[AidaYYC]

What does N\S mean, please?

Yes, good question but when I read it chose to ignore it

 

[J Willhaus]

Probably means non-stop. That doesn't work for those of us in rural central areas.

 

[nathanael]

I'm sorry for your predicament. I had to deal with just such a scenario on my son's behalf just last week when KLM failed to load his pack at Dublin and it never showed up when he arrived in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. He couldn't get it sorted at his end, and he was a bit anxious (not half as much as we were!) but I contacted the desk at Dublin, where they were able to confirm it's location, arranged it's quickest route and sent me and him the flight details and times. It arrived 30 hours later, not a bad outcome, considering it was literally half way around the world. He had his valuables on his person and we told him to just go out, buy a pair of shorts and a toothbrush and relax.. all was fine!

I would suggest you call the KLM desk at the airport you departed and get them to take responsibility. They will be able to pinpoint it's last scanned location. Meanwhile, can I suggest you just hop on the metro into Porto and relax for a day or so. If you're not overly fashion conscious, pick up a few cheap bits from a china shop to tide you over. there are worse places to be stuck.

It will work out..

Sorry to hear about your predicament, I have done fourteen Caminos and never had that problem. For the past four years, I have brought my Backpack on the plane on overhead luggage.

 

[CWBuff]

What does N\S mean, please?

Non Stop

 

[CWBuff]

When I consider my trade-offs between "traveling light" and convenience, I remind myself that the only thing I can't buy in Spain is the data on my electronic devices. So the only reason to bring anything else is if the convenience of not having to go buy it outweighs the disadvantage of carrying or the risk of losing.

As I have said before to each their own preferences.
In my mind I AM "traveling light" because by backpack is checked in
Yes i will also admit that i don't feel kindly buying stuff a-new every time I'm off on trekking outing. Sometimes things tgat available at your destination are not exactly to one's liking; do i have to "settle for something undesirable " with possibility of perhaps overpaying while at it?
Then there are sentimental and maybe even "superstitious" reasons, right?
My lucky hat, my lucky poles, my trustworthy boots, the backpack with a logo that my wife made and personally hand-stiched on it.... I could go on...
Yes God Forbid if it gets lost it will be quite sad and I will be more than angry, no doubt. But my equipment is MY equipment and the reason why I have it is so I can use it...
...ok off my soap box.

 

[WGroleau]

Yes i will also admit that i don't feel kindly buying stuff a-new every time I'm off on trekking outing. Sometimes things tgat available at your destination are not exactly to one's liking; do i have to "settle for something undesirable " with possibility of perhaps overpaying while at it?

Like I said, "lightness" vs. convenience: a trade-off.

 

[dougfitz]

When I consider my trade-offs between "traveling light" and convenience, I remind myself that the only thing I can't buy in Spain is the data on my electronic devices.

True, and there are circumstances where I avoid bringing something from Australia knowing that I can (and will) buy it when I arrive at my destination. It is also what I plan to do should my checked bag not arrive in time for me to start walking.

After my first camino, I have pretty consistently planned a rest day before I start walking. It is possible to get into a European destination in about 24 hours from Australia, but over 30 hours is not unusual. This year it took 46 hours to get to Oslo, and that was from the west coast of Australia, not the east. That would have added a couple of hours. So having a day has always been beneficial.

While it was not intended to give an airline more time to find and deliver my checked baggage should it not arrive with me, it does give them a little buffer for that. That said, the only time my baggage has been delayed it was on my return to Australia. Fortunate? Maybe. But I'm happy with that.

 

[dick bird]

What does N\S mean, please?

Non-stop. When luggage goes astray, it is usually during a stop over when it is supposed to be transferred onto another plane. It happened to us once.

From what I have seen other pilgrims do, there are three things you can do about it:
1. Go to Decathlon or the nearest equivalent and splurge on new kit.
2. Hang around and wait at your point of arrival in the hope that it will turn up.
3. Start with what you have got and trust to luck, improvisation and the generosity of strangers to make up for the loss.

This is another reason to have travel insurance. Our insurers paid up handsomely, firstly for delayed luggage, then for lost even though the bags turned up eight days later.

 

[lt56ny]

Rivalry as to which country discovered Pisco Sours, yes - I am from Chile and have prepared many in my days, but who cares for the apparent rivalry; both countries produce and enjoy Pisco, that is all that matters. Buen Camino, Pilgrims

I agree with you and when my Peruvian friends told me about it. We all laughed except 1 person who really was pissed about it. I thought if all countries fought over something like this and nothing worse what a great world it would be.

 

[CWBuff]

Between Russians, Poles and Ukrainians- it's all bout who invented vodka

 

[Robo]

So glad to hear the OP is reunited with their pack!

I am reminded of something I was taught in the Army 50+ years ago.
"Never be separated from your kit" !

Whilst I have never lost any luggage in 60+ years of flying and hundreds of flights.
My Camino pack always goes as carry on with me.
(Poles, sharps, liquids get checked-in in a mailing tube)

It would be just too much drama trying to replace everything and many things in it cannot be replaced as they are no longer made.

Whereas losing the data on my phone (re the posts above). No problem.
It's all backed up anyway.........
And is very secure.

I'd rather lose my phone than my pack

 

[lt56ny]

Thanks for reporting back with a positive outcome.. Many put up a single request for help, get lots of responses and don't bother to.
Buen Camino

So True @Flog. There are so many times when people ask for advice or guidance that many of us here spend time and effort to help and get no response whatsoever. Thankfully there are far more that do respond and are thankful.
I just edited this response because I looked at the first post on todays forum about the cost of a room in Santiago right now:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/no-room-at-the-inn.89007/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email

Lots of people responded, asked questions and expressed concerns. The OP posted at about 2:00PM (I have no idea if that is my time or Santiago time) but as of this writing he has not responded to questions that people asked to clarify his situation or advice given.

 

[Mycroft]

UPDATE:

My bag has been found and dropped of at my hotel! Starting my camino as we speak. Thank you for all your comments and words!

Very happy to hear this!
Years ago I heard a travel agent say "There are two kinds of luggage: Carry-on and lost." Since then I never check my backpack. And as experienced travelers recommend, if ever I did check a suitcase, my carry-on would have several days of essentials that would get me through until my case caught up with me, or I found out it was forever disappeared.
And I would check the airlines regulations on losing your bags, even if temporary, so you may not have to deal with it until your Camino is over--there's usually a minimum number of hours/days that they've lost it before they'll compensate, and a maximum time you have to apply. Travel insurance can help also.
Buen Camino!

 

[BRSmith13]

I'm sorry for your predicament. I had to deal with just such a scenario on my son's behalf just last week when KLM failed to load his pack at Dublin and it never showed up when he arrived in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. He couldn't get it sorted at his end, and he was a bit anxious (not half as much as we were!) but I contacted the desk at Dublin, where they were able to confirm it's location, arranged it's quickest route and sent me and him the flight details and times. It arrived 30 hours later, not a bad outcome, considering it was literally half way around the world. He had his valuables on his person and we told him to just go out, buy a pair of shorts and a toothbrush and relax.. all was fine!

I would suggest you call the KLM desk at the airport you departed and get them to take responsibility. They will be able to pinpoint it's last scanned location. Meanwhile, can I suggest you just hop on the metro into Porto and relax for a day or so. If you're not overly fashion conscious, pick up a few cheap bits from a china shop to tide you over. there are worse places to be stuck.

It will work out..

And that is why I don’t check bags UNLESS a nonstop flight. Then I prefer not to.

 

[emmanuel]

Really. For some of us this is just not an option.


Yours might, mine won't, and I suspect I am not alone.

50 liters bags fit perfectly in the overhead bin. If you need a bigger bag, you are probably carrying too much.

 

[trecile]

50 liters bags fit perfectly in the overhead bin. If you need a bigger bag, you are probably carrying too much.

It depends on the configuration of the bag/backpack. Some are too long to fit, even though they are under 50 liters.

 

[CWBuff]

50 liters bags fit perfectly in the overhead bin. If you need a bigger bag, you are probably carrying too much.

Thar is not entirely true. As per below:

It depends on the configuration of the bag/backpack. Some are too long to fit, even though they are under 50 liters.

And to add all airlines' standards are different. My Gregory Zulu 35 is over the limit for United and American....Can I try to sneak it in ? Probably. Do I want to? Nope
And if someone wants to carry over 50L - it's their Camino! When I did Camino Inca in 2011 I had Avery primitive day pack, maybe 13L... there were 2 Asian couples from LA - the guys were hauling 80L and would easily outrun some other folks on the trail...oh yeah and they were in their early 60s....

 

[Margaret Butterworth]

This has never happened to me, but I always live in fear that it might! This year, flying from Perth to Madrid via Dubai, I decided for the first time to take my pack as carry-on. The problem for me was the long trek within the terminals: OK, it's training for the Camino; but at my age I always use a baggage transfer service whilst walking. Airlines have different rules for weight and dimensions of carry-on, so check these carefully before you go to the airport.

 

[CWBuff]

The problem for me was the long trek within the terminals:

Oh yeah.... MAD Barajas T1 to T4 for those of us who are outside EU.... no, thank you!
And if I am late and have to run....

 

[emmanuel]

Thar is not entirely true. As per below:

And to add all airlines' standards are different. My Gregory Zulu 35 is over the limit for United and American....Can I try to sneak it in ? Probably. Do I want to? Nope
And if someone wants to carry over 50L - it's their Camino! When I did Camino Inca in 2011 I had Avery primitive day pack, maybe 13L... there were 2 Asian couples from LA - the guys were hauling 80L and would easily outrun some other folks on the trail...oh yeah and they were in their early 60s....

Yep, I imagine there are different configurations across brands. I always use the cheap Decathlon bags, which fit snugly in overhead bins.

 

[Flog]

Well snap.....

I'm not off to a good start myself.. my pack didn't arrive with me at Santiago airport yesterday. Aer Lingus insisted on checking it in the hold, it could easily have come with me in the cabin. With all the running around and filing a report, I missed my connecting train to Ourense by 2 minutes, I watched in dismay as it left. I got a bus in the end and arrived at my accomodation at 11pm, checked in, went for a single beer and off to bed. I have my small knapsack with phone charger, glasses etc.. and I have cards and cash so will survive. Bought a toothbrush, waiting now for decathlon to open to get spare underwear and a poncho and start walking. I updated my baggage report to give my address as albergue de Peregrinos in Cea. What can I do but walk.. in the rain

 

[Flog]

Mind you, it's brightened up already!
On my way..