We've been home from Spain for a couple of weeks now. Firstly, thanks to all of the contributors here for the valuable information we received prior to our Camino. The time and insight people give here is truly appreciated.
I'm just compiling my notes from the journey, and on the day we walked from Palas de Rei to Ribadiso, we stopped at a roadside stand just outside Melide, and the man was offering sellos with red wax, and a seal placed on top. You could choose between a seal of the cathedral, a footprint, etc. We thought they were an interesting addition to our credencials, so we paid the one euro each for the seals. I didn't see it as being much different than the donations we gave at places offering sellos.
Outside of Melide, we stopped in at a small church, and the man issuing the sellos made sure to tell the man in line ahead of us, and then each of us, that the wax seals were from "the Romanian mafia". Since we had already obtained the sellos, I'm not sure what this info was supposed to accomplish. It seemed a bit odd to be thinking of some "black market sellos".
Does anyone have any insight into this? Is it indeed something people should be on the lookout for and avoiding? Was it a matter of prejudice? Obviously at this point it's not something I am losing any sleep over...this is more a matter of curiosity for me.
Thanks!
I'm just compiling my notes from the journey, and on the day we walked from Palas de Rei to Ribadiso, we stopped at a roadside stand just outside Melide, and the man was offering sellos with red wax, and a seal placed on top. You could choose between a seal of the cathedral, a footprint, etc. We thought they were an interesting addition to our credencials, so we paid the one euro each for the seals. I didn't see it as being much different than the donations we gave at places offering sellos.
Outside of Melide, we stopped in at a small church, and the man issuing the sellos made sure to tell the man in line ahead of us, and then each of us, that the wax seals were from "the Romanian mafia". Since we had already obtained the sellos, I'm not sure what this info was supposed to accomplish. It seemed a bit odd to be thinking of some "black market sellos".
Does anyone have any insight into this? Is it indeed something people should be on the lookout for and avoiding? Was it a matter of prejudice? Obviously at this point it's not something I am losing any sleep over...this is more a matter of curiosity for me.
Thanks!