Given the appearently contradictory advices, use your common sense and find a middle ground.
Follow the same precautions you would at home and you will be very safe, probably even safer.
Embracing an open and friendly attitude will help you quickly become part of "the gang", but beware of...
Je présume que votre langue maternelle est la langue de Molière et celle de la diplomatie.
You are on an English language forum and there are very good translation apps (free of charge), like www.deepl.com, where you can get your posts corrected.
Or register (free) on ChatGPT, an AI app, which...
Your question about the requirements for obtaining a Compostela seems strange coming from an experienced pilgrim. If you have already received many Compostelas, why do you feel the need to collect more? I, along with many other veterans, no longer feel the need to do so. So you can take the bus...
I kept a somewhat related post unpublished for a long time for fear that it might break some rules of this forum. Reading this thread encourages me to release it anyway; at first, I spontaneously thought to place the post right here, but I don't want to "hijack" Chrissy's OP.
If interested, look...
On two of my Caminos, I rented a car in SdC together with two fellow pilgrims, and we drove along the CN in reverse to San Sebastian with 4 stops. Very recommendable and thoroughly enjoyable!
In a way, we were still in the Camino bubble, yet no more carrying and walking.
PS: A nice alternative...
This weeks issue of the popular Spanish site vivecamino.com features an article about typical dishes of the different regions along the Camino. (Use Google translate to convert into English).
Buen provecho
As repeatedly indicated, the app is still Beta and can not be downloaded from the App Store yet.
As OP I merely wanted to share the news as I – like many peregrinos – much appreciate Gronze's work for the benefit of the Camino world (which is free and without ads btw.)
Thanks, @wisepilgrim. Yes, this is correct, but as you say, the danger with the railway crossing is relative; the corrosion of the single track indicates, that it is not in use for a long time and that a crossing with the necessary caution is therefore more than "relative".
goto https://www.gronze.com/gronze-maps and follow the download instructions for IOS and Android.
You get an overall Map of all major Caminos, which you can almost indefinitely enlarge to get very detailed route information.
This map would have saved me last year when I chose the wrong path...
It is still a Beta version but entirely functional, available for both, Apple IOS and Android.
(It is all in Spanish but you can open www.gronze.com with Google translate)
Btw: Gronze also has a forum for members (free) without ads and posts reflect Spanish views that can be very interesting
No chain, the one in Belorado is called Punto B and is run by the incomparable Joaquin.
He offers bunks as well as single rooms and cooks nice communal dinners. One of the most welcoming places along the CF and in true accordance with the Camino spirit. Keep it a secret.
Btw: In SJPdP, another...
In Burgos, I always stay at the Hotel Boutique Museo next to the Museum of Human Evolution.
A leisurely stroll along the river to the cathedral. If you like clean, contemporary and individual places, it's the place for you.
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