To soak or not to soak.......

[Paintboy2]

On my first Camino (CP) I saw many "lavendaria" that I think use to be community laundry facilities. I never saw anyone using them. Would it be improper to soak ones feet in that cool water? I would not want to give offense to our host country.

 

[SYates]

On my first Camino (CP) I saw many "lavendaria" that I think use to be community laundry facilities. I never saw anyone using them. Would it be improper to soak ones feet in that cool water? I would not want to give offense to our host country.

Nobody will take offense, but I strongly recommend NOT doing this if if you still have kilometers to walk that day. Soaked feet = feet more prone to get blisters.

Buen Camino, SY

 

[NoQ]

Nobody will take offense, but I strongly recommend NOT doing this if if you still have kilometers to walk that day. Soaked feet = feet more prone to get blisters.

Buen Camino, SY

You're spot on there, as I once found to my cost after soaking my feet in the spring at San Bol (despite its myths) and getting a blister just before Castrojeriz.

 

[nycwalking]

Soak em after you walk.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

On my first Camino (CP) I saw many "lavendaria" that I think use to be community laundry facilities. I never saw anyone using them. Would it be improper to soak ones feet in that cool water? I would not want to give offense to our host country.

When you are taking a break you can better take your shoes off and the insoles out.
You can do the soaking when you finish your day's walk .
Wish you well,Peter.

 

[Pabloke]

On my first Camino (CP) I saw many "lavendaria" that I think use to be community laundry facilities. I never saw anyone using them. Would it be improper to soak ones feet in that cool water? I would not want to give offense to our host country.

When I walked the St Olav's Way in Norway, I loved to soak my feet in the cold springs on the top of the mountains. It was like starting a new day.

When walking the Camino del Norte, I made it a couple of times, once in an "old school laundry". I never had a blister. Soak your feet and let them dry.

 

[t2andreo]

Some of the lavanderia's are still used, typically by "more mature" ladies of the surrounding village or hamlet who do not have washing machines. Back in the day, it was the local gathering spot. I suppose the men repaired to their 'local' and the women to the washing spot. I am not being judgmental, just historical.

You can usually tell the still-operating lavanderias by the overall condition, whether the paint / plaster is reasonably fresh, and whether the place is overgrown by weeds. I would NEVER drink this water, as it is typically, but not always surface water. But, I have used it for soaking my Buff, sun hat, and feet from time-to-time.

When I walked from Lisbon this April- May, I saw quite a few that were clearly in good repair and likely still being used.

I hope this helps.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I've seen many of those lavanderias still be used.
I personally think it would be a bit rude to soak dirty feet in them.
Use a basin with cold water and salt at the END of your day.

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

While walking the CF, I do not remember the name of the town we were in, but once there the albergue had a pump style well in the court yard. I had never pumped well water before and did so and enjoyed a great huge bucket of ice cold water on my feet for about an hour or so. The water was so cold we also soaked our beers as well.
Does this sound familiar to anyone?

 

[camino07]

Murias de Rechivaldo had a water pump in the small plaza opposite the Municipal. I had to wash my clothes there and felt I was back in the olden days.

 

[Gary May]

You're spot on there, as I once found to my cost after soaking my feet in the spring at San Bol (despite its myths) and getting a blister just before Castrojeriz.

What are these myths?