Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

[Mac]

I'm so sick of planning and researching I just have to get over there and start! Can I pick up a Compostela when I get to Irun? And what about maps and Guides?


Title edited for future clarity. WM.

[Minkey]

Mac, I think you mean Credential, rather than Compostela. You have to get to Santiago for that. Yeah, you should be able to get one in Irun, I should imagine.

With regards to maps etc... Just follow the little yellow arrows, my friend. It's easier than you'd think. Guide books... John Brierley's meant to be very good.

[Guest]

I'm so sick of planning and researching I just have to get over there and start! Can I pick up a Compostela when I get to Irun? And what about maps and Guides?

Right, Minkey. Mac, sounds like ur talking about a credencial. U may be able to get it at the albergue in Irun, let me find that one out for u. Re: maps/guidebooks, etc., my suggestion: go to a bookstore, check out available guidebooks on the Road to St James, and take the one that looks/works best for u. They usually include maps + brief descriptions of places as u go through them + albergues (not always updated, one of the reasons why I like to invest on a new guidebook everytime I walk + it's a great souvenir) +, and I think this may be important for a first Camino, "suggestions" on how to divide ur walking stages on a daily basis. Sounds like u've been ready to go for a looong time, peregrino! Go for it! Buen Camino, xm

[ehaldenb]

I received a credencial from the American Friends of St. James, in CA. I ordered it last week, and it's already here. It was free, but you can donate. You don't have to wait til you're there.

[Guest]

ehaldenb, that's a good idea. Maybe Mac can get 1 from the CSJ http://www.csj.org.uk/...Best, xm

[sillydoll]

The American Association of Friends of the Road to Santiago became the Amrican Pilgrims on the Camino. You will find them here:
http://www.americanpilgrims.com

[Minkey]

XM, that's what I said!

(I trust you employed your moderation skills in the original post?)

[Guest]

XM, that's what I said! (I trust you employed your moderation skills in the original post?)

Need clarity, what r u talking about ? Best, xm

[Guest]

Mac, Sil just informed me that u have to be a member of the CSJ to obtain a credencial through them, so scratch that one! Best, xm

[Mac]

Mac, I think you mean Credential, rather than Compostela.

Thanks guys! Now a little confused though haha! So the compostela is the credential at the end of the walk? lol Ok I think I may have a little bit of miss information, I thought the compostela was a sort of passpost thing that you took with you to get stamped along the way to show that you had been, where you have been....any insight into this? Also may be a silly question, but do I have to show some sort of camino "ID" to be able to stay at the alberques....

[Minkey]

Credencial - card that you get stamped on a daily basis to:

a) stay at cheap refugios
b) to hand over at the end to gain your Compostela - the certificate at the end.

So... You get your credential, you get it stamped lots, then you hand it in at the pilgrim office at the end to get your Compostela.

si?

[sillydoll]

Hi there Mac,
You can read all about the credential (pilgrim's passport thingy) and the Compostela (copy of a 14thC document in Latin) at the Santiago Archdioces website:

http://www.archicompostela.org/Peregrinos/Inglés/La%20Compostela%20.htm

You will soon be in the Spanish sunshine!

[Guest]

...confused...compostela...credential?...thought the compostela was...thing that you took ...show that you had been....insight into this?

Hey Mac, hi. Sil's link should pretty much answer ur questions. Keep contacting us in case of further doubts. Best to u, xm