What Unexpected item did you find in your pack when you got home?

[Arn]

@Robo posted a threat about what was in his pack. I asked him did he find anything in his pack when he arrived home that was unexpected.
So, same question to all my fellow Camino pilgrims. Now, be honest here!
Buen “That’s not a frog is it?” Camino
Arn

 

[henrythedog]

An unexpected quantity of loose change. I make sure I have some euro coins with me whenever I arrive and, to replenish my stock, tend to drop the occasional €1 into my sack. Trouble is I lose count so I’ve got a jar with - at last count - €130 in 1s and 2s at home. I really need to get a grip.

Oh, and two 12-gauge cartridges. Must have gone out and come back with me. The x-ray operator must have been asleep (twice).

I used to carry a load of spare batteries and a wind-up alarm clock in my flight case when I was working. Usually sailed through security because I knew the drill inside-out. Once in a while there would be a sharp intake of breath from the x-ray screening station and men with guns would arrive.

A good friend of mine travelled to the states very regularly back in the 80’s and a friend of his (you see how accurate this story is likely to be) had a particular longing for battenburg cake. Jim took half-a-dozen with him every few months. They’re about 3” square and 9” long and covered in marzipan paste, so smell of almonds. As does PE8, the UK military plastic explosive (like the US C4).

Jim travelled back and forth for a couple of years until one memorable day - maybe they had a new dog on duty at Manchester airport - when he found himself held at gunpoint then deposited in the security ‘blast room’ where he had to fully disrobe, get into a paper suit and pass his clothes and belongings out one item at a time in response to instructions from a nervous-sounding speaker next to a security camera.

Oh, how we laughed,

 

[C clearly]

Nothing - mainly because I do a thorough sorting and cleaning in Santiago or wherever my last camino point was, to make sure I don't bring any unexpected bedbugs home.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Snugged down in that pocket under your pack that houses the rain cover. Kept for sentimental reasons and is labelled consumir preferentemente antes del fin 2.007

I also have ones, brought back deliberately, from 2012 (BBD 2016) and 2015 (BBD 2019) - all the same brand.

I did mean to bring some home in 2016 but forgot to do so. After that there didn't seem to be much point.

They are labelled up because my daughter found them and said: "You DO realise these are out of date don't you? Shall I bin them?" (The child has no romance in her soul!)

 

[Marbe2]

Nothing - mainly because I do a thorough sorting and cleaning in Santiago or wherever my last camino point was, to make sure I don't bring any unexpected bedbugs home.

Me too! I'm really paranoid when we leave SdC that nothing extra is crawling around in my pack...so I get rid of any extras...

 

[Jeff Crawley]

An unexpected quantity of loose change. I make sure I have some euro coins with me whenever I arrive and, to replenish my stock, tend to drop the occasional €1 into my sack. Trouble is I lose count so I’ve got a jar with - at last count - €130 in 1s and 2s at home. I really need to get a grip.

Oh, and two 12-gauge cartridges. Must have gone out and come back with me. The x-ray operator must have been asleep (twice).

I used to carry a load of spare batteries and a wind-up alarm clock in my flight case when I was working. Usually sailed through security because I knew the drill inside-out. Once in a while there would be a sharp intake of breath from the x-ray screening station and men with guns would arrive.

A good friend of mine travelled to the states very regularly back in the 80’s and a friend of his (you see how accurate this story is likely to be) had a particular longing for battenburg cake. Jim took half-a-dozen with him every few months. They’re about 3” square and 9” long and covered in marzipan paste, so smell of almonds. As does PE8, the UK military plastic explosive (like the US C4).

Jim travelled back and forth for a couple of years until one memorable day - maybe they had a new dog on duty at Manchester airport - when he found himself held at gunpoint then deposited in the security ‘blast room’ where he had to fully disrobe, get into a paper suit and pass his clothes and belongings out one item at a time in response to instructions from a nervous-sounding speaker next to a security camera.

Oh, how we laughed,

Hence the quote from a friend's ex-squaddie son-in law: "What's the difference between ASDA Battenberg and PE8? The explosives taste better."?

 

[Former member 91017]

An awareness of my own inner fortitude and a love for walking as part of daily life.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Nobody expects . . .

 

[NorthernLight]

A bunch of crap that never got used on camino!

Lesson learned and it wasn’t repeated.

 

[kaylfrazer]

New Zealand has pretty strict entry policies so we were very careful about checking our bags coming home.. so nothing unexpected there. We did however find something unexpected in our pack along the camino. In 2003 I walked with my husband, my second camino and his first. Before the camino we stayed in Germany with a peregrina friend I had met on my first camino, and sent a box of things home before heading for Spain. Along the Camino we kept meeting an Italian. He was tall , good looking with long hair in a pony tail and flowing white clothes.. no idea how he did that on the camino! He often played a recorder as he was walking. My husband was NOT impressed and a wee bit jealous. About 10 days into our camino, my husband took the liner out of his pack and discovered that he too had accidentally bought recorder. No white flowing clothes or pony tail but he was also able to play as he walked the Way!

 

[Arn]

An unexpected quantity of loose change. I make sure I have some euro coins with me whenever I arrive and, to replenish my stock, tend to drop the occasional €1 into my sack. Trouble is I lose count so I’ve got a jar with - at last count - €130 in 1s and 2s at home. I really need to get a grip.

Oh, and two 12-gauge cartridges. Must have gone out and come back with me. The x-ray operator must have been asleep (twice).

I used to carry a load of spare batteries and a wind-up alarm clock in my flight case when I was working. Usually sailed through security because I knew the drill inside-out. Once in a while there would be a sharp intake of breath from the x-ray screening station and men with guns would arrive.

A good friend of mine travelled to the states very regularly back in the 80’s and a friend of his (you see how accurate this story is likely to be) had a particular longing for battenburg cake. Jim took half-a-dozen with him every few months. They’re about 3” square and 9” long and covered in marzipan paste, so smell of almonds. As does PE8, the UK military plastic explosive (like the US C4).

Jim travelled back and forth for a couple of years until one memorable day - maybe they had a new dog on duty at Manchester airport - when he found himself held at gunpoint then deposited in the security ‘blast room’ where he had to fully disrobe, get into a paper suit and pass his clothes and belongings out one item at a time in response to instructions from a nervous-sounding speaker next to a security camera.

Oh, how we laughed,

Immediately following 9-11, I was in the initial group that trained, in Georgia,
what became our Airport Security.
As happens, one officer’s interpretation of “dangerous weapon” is another’s “Oh, my gram used to make that too. Anisette can do that to.

 

[Arn]

Hence the quote from a friend's ex-squaddie son-in law: "What's the difference between ASDA Battenberg and PE8? The explosives taste better."?

Only if you’re not smoking at the same time!

 

[Anamiri]

@Robo posted a threat about what was in his pack. I asked him did he find anything in his pack when he arrived home that was unexpected.
So, same question to all my fellow Camino pilgrims. Now, be honest here!
Buen “That’s not a frog is it?” Camino
Arn

Less than I started with. I took 6 socks (all the same) and came back with 5.

 

[Walkerooni]

Found my first aid kit that had worked its way to the bottom of my pack, unused. Other than that, nothing.

 

[Roland49]

I found the ticket and guide of the cathedral of Pamplona in my pack as I unpacked it at home.
Never thought of it after leaving Pamplona.

BC
Roland

 

[lt56ny]

View attachment 93877

Snugged down in that pocket under your pack that houses the rain cover. Kept for sentimental reasons and is labelled consumir preferentemente antes del fin 2.007

I also have ones, brought back deliberately, from 2012 (BBD 2016) and 2015 (BBD 2019) - all the same brand.

I did mean to bring some home in 2016 but forgot to do so. After that there didn't seem to be much point.

They are labelled up because my daughter found them and said: "You DO realise these are out of date don't you? Shall I bin them?" (The child has no romance in her soul!)

I almost always had one of those in my backpack for a snack. They are a great pick me up but always have to be careful that I don't spill that olive oil all over me when I open the can.

 

[Arn]

Found my first aid kit that had worked its way to the bottom of my pack, unused. Other than that, nothing.

I consider the basics of a First Aid kit essential (band aides, bag balm, nail clipper, Naproxen) and locate them for easy reach. The more difficult an item is to reach, the more likely you will delay getting to it. That's why I carry at least one can/bottle of cerveza in the front pocket of my pack. May as well be refreshed as the Naproxen kicks in.

 

[Ivan_Prada]

I consider the basics of a First Aid kit essential (band aides, bag balm, nail clipper, Naproxen) and locate them for easy reach. The more difficult an item is to reach, the more likely you will delay getting to it. That's why I carry at least one can/bottle of cerveza in the front pocket of my pack. May as well be refreshed as the Naproxen kicks in.

Be certain as into what direction you open the beer, it may become a shower....
Iván

 

[Kiwi-d]

Bedbugs. Dead, fortunately!

 

[CarolineMathieson]

The portugues airline lost my bag and it took two months to get it back again. Unfortunately there was a very rotten orange in the pack which was the first thing I noticed when I opened it! I had forgotten I had put it in the top of the bag....

 

[Adelina]

What I didn't find was my poncho! It slipped out of my pack one day after I had used it and just tried to tack it on instead of put it in my pack. As I didn't need it again, I didn't notice it was gone until I got home and unpacked my bag!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

The portugues airline lost my bag and it took two months to get it back again. Unfortunately there was a very rotten orange in the pack which was the first thing I noticed when I opened it! I had forgotten I had put it in the top of the bag....

Thank you. This is my preferred way of learning such things.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

What I didn't find was my poncho! It slipped out of my pack one day after I had used it and just tried to tack it on instead of put it in my pack. As I didn't need it again, I didn't notice it was gone until I got home and unpacked my bag!

Ah! the road to Santiago is paved with . . .

Remember seeing an obviously brand new flip-flop alongside the trail and, about 5km further along in a village, its companion sticking out of a rubbish bin alongside a fuente.

My friend JoJo was lucky to retrieve her camera - one of the last shots she took was an image of herself reflected in a roadside mirror. The Portugues lad who found it walked along comparing faces until he found her!

If it's being carried on the outside strap it down!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

If it's being carried on the outside strap it down!

So true! My friend, when having her backpack transported on the Le Puy route, had a very expensive pair of alternate shoes and had tucked one in each of the water bottle holders. When we arrived at our lodging later, one shoe had fallen out and missing, and she was sorely disappointed. Upon leaving the gite the next morning, our other friend happened to notice it on the side of the road just out front...it was a very happy "reunion".

 

[Old Kiwi]

My daughter found a jandal (flip-flop) on the trail about one kilometre before entering Zubiri. She carried it with her on the outside of her pack all of the way to Burgos hoping that the owner would see it and reunite it with the other one. It went into the rubbish bin in Burgos. Some days later in Carrion we were having dinner with some pilgrims and she told of carrying this jandal so far for nothing. A Canadian man at the table on asking for a description of the jandal said that it was his and he had also disposed of the other one in Burgos.
Something that was in by pack unknown to me was a smell that I brought back from two Caminos. In New Zealand on the way through the airport youre luggage is sniffed by a security dog. Both times the dog sniffed and then sat, which is the signal that they have found something illegal. I was asked if I was bringing in anything that I shouldn't. I said "No" but of course they don't believe you so they pulled everything out of my pack, and of course there was nothing there. They then asked if I had been carrying food in the pack. I don't usually carry food but I did have an orange in a plastic bag in there the day before I left. They said that was probably it. Three years later we went through the same pantomime again for exactly the same reason. These dogs must have a sensational sense of smell.

 

[Arn]

So true! My friend, when having her backpack transported on the Le Puy route, had a very expensive pair of alternate shoes and had tucked one in each of the water bottle holders. When we arrived at our lodging later, one shoe had fallen out and missing, and she was sorely disappointed. Upon leaving the gite the next morning, our other friend happened to notice it on the side of the road just out front...it was a very happy "reunion".

When attaching anything to the outside of your pack...fasten it with the pack strap, or a small cord where if it does separate, it remains on the pack.
I like arriving with all I set out with.

 

[RJM]

Nothing. I throw away about half of the clothing I started with, as well as rubber sandals for the shower and all toiletries and leave my trekking poles at whatever albergue I stayed in last. My backpack when I am going home looks like a deflated balloon.

 

[Jarrad]

I had a Zip-loc bag where I stuffed a few paper articles I had picked up. One was a prayer a nun gave me in Navarre that caused an allergic reaction (must have been the paper) that left me with teary eyes when I read it in the chapel. I found it at the end of the Camino and to this day I've not read it all the way to the end because of some mysterious medical condition that I can only describe as 'rapid onset of watery eyes.'

 

[Red Rose]

I forgot that I had a kiwi in my backpack and USA customs stopped me and I had to go to where they incinerate items that are a no no.

 

[Albertagirl]

I forgot that I had a kiwi in my backpack and USA customs stopped me and I had to go to where they incinerate items that are a no no.

I hope that you are talking about the fruit and not the critter.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

I hope that you are talking about the fruit and not the critter.

Or the person

 

[Ali@59]

On a visit to Playa de Catedrales after finishing camino Primitivo, I took a little percebe of the rocks and put it my rucksack. When I arrived home I emptied the pack and put it away in a cupboard, a few months later there was a really bad fishy smell coming from cupboard and found it to be the rucksack where hidden in a pocket was a little smelly wizened percebe

 

[lovingkindness]

I forgot that I had a kiwi in my backpack and USA customs stopped me and I had to go to where they incinerate items that are a no no.

kiwi = (the bird)

kiwi = (photo) (a person from New Zealand)

kiwi = (in NZ known as a kiwifruit or chinese gooseberry)


So, @Red Rose, which one of the above did they incinerate?

 

[Gumba]

Two large jars of cola cao which the kids desperately wanted. One in my pack, one in my husband's. My bag went missing when we arrived back in Australia - our son was devastated that he might never see his jar of 'the best drinking chocolate ever'. Luckily it turned up a week later.

 

[Houlet]

A single black sock of the type with separate toes, I have never owned such socks.

 

[ktchnofdngr]

This wasn't in my bag, but in a package that I sent home to myself. At some point, it must have burst open, because, when I opened the package, I had a book and a computer game that I had never bought or brought in Spain. I was able to give the book to a friend of mine (it wasn't my type of book, but it was hers), and the computer game, sadly, was chewed to pieces by my dog before I could rehome it.

It made me wonder who they belonged to and how I ended up with them instead....

Ruth