Credential question from pilgrim

[ivar]

Dear pilgrims,

Got this question from a pilgrim by email. Will send her the link to this post in case anyone knows the answer. The question was:

Hi Ivar I am on the Madrid camino right now and have lost my pilgrim passport but has not been successful in getting another one. I tried in Segovia and I am now at Los Huertos. No cathedral, tourist office, bar, shop has one. How can i get a new one? Your advice would be most welcome. Kind regards

 

[Kanga]

I’d collect the stamps and dates on a piece of paper and then stick it into a credential once I could find one.

 

[Tuula P]

Thank you Kanga. I am doing as you suggest but i am bit worried that I maybe turned away from an albergue without the passport, until I finally find one.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

Thank you Kanga. I am doing as you suggest but i am bit worried that I maybe turned away from an albergue without the passport, until I finally find one.

Don't worry about it. Explain that you lost it ("perdí mi credencial") and collect stamps on a piece of paper. You won't be the first or the last pilgrim in this situation.

 

[Tuula P]

Many thanks for your responses. I feel better now and can stop worrying about it. KR Tuula

 

[t2andreo]

In any city, stop at the Tourist Information Office (TI) and ask them. They may have them, or may direct you better. Another good source is the religious articles shop usually found in large churches or Cathedrals in major cities, like Segovia...

In the meanwhile, the blank paper approach works. Make sure you keep the sellos / stamps in the same order you would if the paper were glued into your credencial as an extension page. Many long distance pilgrims use this method. Their credentials frequently look like origami sculpture by the time they finish at Santiago.

Also, if you have a smartphone and are taking photos daily, the phone automatically dates, time and location stamps each photo. So, at the end , if you have to fill in some holes. the photo data may help. If this is an issue, point it out to the Pilgrim Office staff person and offer up your phone and the photos as evidence that you were at a particular place at a particular date and time.

Finally, for the purpose of qualifying for a Compostela, ONLY the final 100 km into Santiago on any accepted route is actually looked at to accept your claim. The additional distance you can document is used for a Certificate of Distance, if you want one... This is an optional document.

Relax and enjoy your Camino. It will all sort out...

Hope this helps.

 

[Tuula P]

Thank you Anthony! That most certainly helps. Paper method is working just fine and people are understanding, so I am finally starting to relax and enjoy my journey.
KR
Tuula

 

[Tuula P]

Update. I was able to get a new credential at the bar in Villeguillo. Buen Camino everybody. KR Tuula

 

[jungleboy]

Update. I was able to get a new credential at the bar in Villeguillo. Buen Camino everybody. KR Tuula

That bar is impressive for such a tiny town! We had an amazing breakfast there last week! Glad you managed to get a new credencial.