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One does not simply walk into Morgade.If you are starting in Morgade, how are you getting there?
You can take a taxi. It is about 12 km by road, so the cost will be about 15E. I have taken a taxi to Ferreiros, and the trip is a bit more circuitous than Morgade; they follow the Sarria road route, then take a narrow road that reaches the albergue from the backside.One does not simply walk into Morgade.
Here is a chart town by town.Any help will be much appreciated: I am a bit confused by the reporting of changes in official distances (and the 100km ‘mojón’) around Sarria. I understand that 100km is the minimum to get the Compostela but there seems to be some discussion as to where that point is currently (for the purposes of the Pilgrims’ Office that is) on the CF.
Has anyone started after Sarria but before the km 100 point and still got a Compostela? We are planning on starting in Morgade which is, allegedly, km 101 but may need to revisit the plan.
Thank you!
Thank you Pilger. I checked the statistics too and got a bit concerned that Morgade is not mentioned but I am wondering whether this has to do with the status of the place; I believe it “belongs” to Ferreiros administratively speaking.Just doing some statistics. 230 pilgrims got their Compostela last month by starting in Ferreiros.
On the milestones you will already read 98,5km, the the way around the airport had undergone some changes since 1993.
None was mentioned with a start in Morgade (maybe some among the 13 "other place in Galicia). Sarria had been at the top of all starting points (33,53% 10637!!!).
source: https://oficinadelperegrino.com/estadisticas/
Personally, I have a problem spitting hairs like this. Why not do what 99.99 percent of pilgrims do, and just walk from Sarria? It is only about 18 additional kilometers.
Yes, the official rule says you must walk AT LEAST the final 100 km in any recognized route into Santiago. Yes, you can finagle, finesse, and cut proverbial corners to walk not one meter more than you must to qualify.
Each person walks their own Camino, and no one, including me has the right or standing to challenge how you accomplish YOUR Camino. I am, nonetheless, uncomfortable with “armchair lawyering” just to get a piece of paper, that evidently is not that important to you.
Let’s face it, if you put that much effort into shaving this thing to the absolute minimum required, perhaps you should avoid having to stand in a waiting queue for 2 hours plus to get this document, which acknowledges your difficult and arduous journey to come to the tomb of the Apostle Saint James to venerate his relics. You would be performing a service to other pilgrims by NOT queuing for a Compostela.
We do offer a “solo sello” conclusion for pilgrims who only want evidence that they made it to the Pilgtim Office, and not wanting a Compostela. All you have to do to obtain this stamp is to tell the security fellow at the front door that “yo quiero solo sello.” (I only want a sello.)
Many repeat pilgrims do exactly this, instead of seeking the piece of paper. Even pilgrims who have walked very long distances many times frequently opt to simply get the stamp to close out their credencial. They know in their heart that they earned the Compostela, and to not need another piece of paper.
Requesting “solo sello” is immediate and avoids further wasting your clearly valuable time waiting in the line for hours with pilgrims who may have walked 600, 800, 1,000 kilometers or more to qualify for that piece of paper. They will have justifiably earned it. I cannot say whether you will have.
What happened to the much vaunted "don't judge other pilgrims"? The OP has already told you that they have limited time and are travelling with 2 children. 18km may be trivial to you but to some people it's a very long way indeed.Personally, I have a problem spitting hairs like this. Why not do what 99.99 percent of pilgrims do, and just walk from Sarria? It is only about 18 additional kilometers.
Yes, the official rule says you must walk AT LEAST the final 100 km in any recognized route into Santiago. Yes, you can finagle, finesse, and cut proverbial corners to walk not one meter more than you must to qualify.
Each person walks their own Camino, and no one, including me has the right or standing to challenge how you accomplish YOUR Camino. I am, nonetheless, uncomfortable with “armchair lawyering” just to get a piece of paper, that evidently is not that important to you.
Let’s face it, if you put that much effort into shaving this thing to the absolute minimum required, perhaps you should avoid having to stand in a waiting queue for 2 hours plus to get this document, which acknowledges your difficult and arduous journey to come to the tomb of the Apostle Saint James to venerate his relics. You would be performing a service to other pilgrims by NOT queuing for a Compostela.
We do offer a “solo sello” conclusion for pilgrims who only want evidence that they made it to the Pilgtim Office, and not wanting a Compostela. All you have to do to obtain this stamp is to tell the security fellow at the front door that “yo quiero solo sello.” (I only want a sello.)
Many repeat pilgrims do exactly this, instead of seeking the piece of paper. Even pilgrims who have walked very long distances many times frequently opt to simply get the stamp to close out their credencial. They know in their heart that they earned the Compostela, and to not need another piece of paper.
Requesting “solo sello” is immediate and avoids further wasting your clearly valuable time waiting in the line for hours with pilgrims who may have walked 600, 800, 1,000 kilometers or more to qualify for that piece of paper. They will have justifiably earned it. I cannot say whether you will have.
“We”?We do offer a “solo sello” conclusion for pilgrims who only want evidence that they made it to the Pilgtim Office, and not wanting a Compostela.
Having more information about this pilgrim and the family effort involved, I temper my criticism. They should do what they think best for their family.
However, it does not change my opinion of otherwise able pilgrims who seek to cut the distance to the bare minimum just to qualify for the Compostela. Too many people genuinely strain and suffer to walk from the standard places.
I continue to maintain that shaving the distance ad nauseun cheapens the result.
In this rare case, as was pointed out, there are mitigating factors that I failed to recognize when I read this thread. I am sorry for that oversight.
In my experience volunteering at the pilgrim office for the past six years I have seen a wide variety of corner cutting and outright cheating to obtain Compostelas. It hurts my heart to see this, especially when I also see the extreme efforts made by persons with physical handicaps who manage to cover the full distances using crutches, canes, walking frames and wheelchairs.
My ire is well founded. But, I withdraw criticism of the OP in this case.
Thank you for your second message. I am sorry that my question upset you. I am even more sorry that I have got so upset about reading your answer: this is the first time I have encountered such ire and judgment in a pilgrim. I should add that I grew up literally on the Camino -I could see the pilgrims from my window- until life took me to a different country so it is not through lack of exposure. Perhaps my blessings in always encountering kindness have made me too naive. You mentioned that people cheating hurts your heart: your angry judgment has hurt mine and I admit I really hope to find more kindness when we finally, Dios mediante, make it to Santiago and to the Oficina del Peregrino. I am now honestly concerned that someone is going to accuse us of trying to cheat or worse when we finally make it to the desk, if we do.
There are multiple reasons (inc. health) which have prevented me from doing a full Camino so far. We are taking 10 days (including two days of travelling) to make this Camino. This is the longest time we have managed to take from work other than for health reasons in over 17 years. 100km and 8 days with is all we can manage. It is not 1000km and 50 days: we wish it could be but we are not in that lucky position right now. That does not mean our pilgrimage will be meaningless, or not for us anyway. I have never seen the Camino as a competition in suffering or time invested: everyone's circumstances are different. People are different. Every Camino is different, even when undertaken by the same person. No Camino is better or more worthy than others if it has been done sincerely and with kindness towards others, in my opinion. How could any of us judge or establish a hierarchy of worthiness for people's Caminos? Some will cheat when it comes to the paperwork: fine, that is annoying but they are not cheating other people's efforts and experiences: they are only cheating themselves.
My children have been brought up with a love and understanding of the Camino - I do not want to give their names, but that alone could give you an idea of my family's bond with what the Camino is and means. The little one is 5: he wants to do this, has been 'training' to do it and the road will be a significant effort for him. 18 km extra -starting from Sarria- would be two more days we do not have and stamina his body does not have. The eldest is 8: our very short Camino is to celebrate her First Holy Communion. It will be a big challenge for her too and she has decided to offer it for a homeless charity. She has asked her friends to sponsor the shelter per km she walks. This is the first opportunity she has to earn a Compostela and it means a lot to her; she feels she has had to wait too long. For all your experience at the office -and I am very grateful for the invaluable work that volunteers like you do- I do not think you can judge what is inside a young girl's heart or doubt her sincerity or devotion (or indeed anyone else's). This is not measured in km yet the Compostela, as a document, is precise in its demands: that is from where the 'obsession' stems. Perhaps if there was less of an 'official' emphasis on the precise requirements, things would be different. I can assure you that there will be nothing 'cheap' (to quote your words) about my children's efforts, commitment and understanding. I dare say there will be nothing cheap about their parents' efforts either - this is what we can manage right now and we are happy to be able to attempt our first Camino as a family (however short). We hope retirement will bring us the opportunity of several lengthy, slow Caminos but that is some time away. For now, this is what our family can manage (if we indeed manage to do those infamous 100km) and that, in my book, does not deserve ire.
I took my 4 1/2 year old grandson. We started at Ferreiros and took 10 days. Ignore the trolls!!!The little one is 5: he wants to do this, has been 'training' to do it and the road will be a significant effort for him. 18 km extra -starting from Sarria- would be two more days
I have to agree TOTALLY with Mr Bugg. T2 and I have had a few minor discussions that would never rise to the level of even a disagreement. HE COMPLETELY APOLOGIZED. Not only is this a case of the kettle calling the pot black it is a case of someone reading and understanding what they want to read and twist words to justify your belief. You have not walked since 2008 and much has changed since then. There are many pilgrims that are pilgrims in name only. None of us care how long anyone walks, the reasons that they walk, or the time or physical restraints many have. I believe that Tom made it painfully obvious that he was sorry for what he said and that although he was sorry his words still ring true. His words had nothing to do with you at all, It had to do with people who do cheat, people who do shortcut and take without giving back to the camino. As someone who has spent many months walking in solitude and peace there is a spirit and energy to each camino that is precious and needs to be nurtured and appreciated. I totally agree that those people are as you say, cheating themselves, but they are also sucking the energy and love that so many pilgrims do need from the soul of the Camino.Thank you for your second message. I am sorry that my question upset you. I am even more sorry that I have got so upset about reading your answer: this is the first time I have encountered such ire and judgment in a pilgrim. I should add that I grew up literally on the Camino -I could see the pilgrims from my window- until life took me to a different country so it is not through lack of exposure. Perhaps my blessings in always encountering kindness have made me too naive. You mentioned that people cheating hurts your heart: your angry judgment has hurt mine and I admit I really hope to find more kindness when we finally, Dios mediante, make it to Santiago and to the Oficina del Peregrino. I am now honestly concerned that someone is going to accuse us of trying to cheat or worse when we finally make it to the desk, if we do.
There are multiple reasons (inc. health) which have prevented me from doing a full Camino so far. We are taking 10 days (including two days of travelling) to make this Camino. This is the longest time we have managed to take from work other than for health reasons in over 17 years. 100km and 8 days with is all we can manage. It is not 1000km and 50 days: we wish it could be but we are not in that lucky position right now. That does not mean our pilgrimage will be meaningless, or not for us anyway. I have never seen the Camino as a competition in suffering or time invested: everyone's circumstances are different. People are different. Every Camino is different, even when undertaken by the same person. No Camino is better or more worthy than others if it has been done sincerely and with kindness towards others, in my opinion. How could any of us judge or establish a hierarchy of worthiness for people's Caminos? Some will cheat when it comes to the paperwork: fine, that is annoying but they are not cheating other people's efforts and experiences: they are only cheating themselves.
My children have been brought up with a love and understanding of the Camino - I do not want to give their names, but that alone could give you an idea of my family's bond with what the Camino is and means. The little one is 5: he wants to do this, has been 'training' to do it and the road will be a significant effort for him. 18 km extra -starting from Sarria- would be two more days we do not have and stamina his body does not have. The eldest is 8: our very short Camino is to celebrate her First Holy Communion. It will be a big challenge for her too and she has decided to offer it for a homeless charity. She has asked her friends to sponsor the shelter per km she walks. This is the first opportunity she has to earn a Compostela and it means a lot to her; she feels she has had to wait too long. For all your experience at the office -and I am very grateful for the invaluable work that volunteers like you do- I do not think you can judge what is inside a young girl's heart or doubt her sincerity or devotion (or indeed anyone else's). This is not measured in km yet the Compostela, as a document, is precise in its demands: that is from where the 'obsession' stems. Perhaps if there was less of an 'official' emphasis on the precise requirements, things would be different. I can assure you that there will be nothing 'cheap' (to quote your words) about my children's efforts, commitment and understanding. I dare say there will be nothing cheap about their parents' efforts either - this is what we can manage right now and we are happy to be able to attempt our first Camino as a family (however short). We hope retirement will bring us the opportunity of several lengthy, slow Caminos but that is some time away. For now, this is what our family can manage (if we indeed manage to do those infamous 100km) and that, in my book, does not deserve ire.
Hi Tom, Posted a little comment also. I probably said to much but Dave Bugg got me going with his comment and you deserved better than what you received. Buen CaminoHaving more information about this pilgrim and the family effort involved, I temper my criticism. They should do what they think best for their family.
However, it does not change my opinion of otherwise able pilgrims who seek to cut the distance to the bare minimum just to qualify for the Compostela. Too many people genuinely strain and suffer to walk from the standard places.
I continue to maintain that shaving the distance ad nauseun cheapens the result.
In this rare case, as was pointed out, there are mitigating factors that I failed to recognize when I read this thread. I am sorry for that oversight.
In my experience volunteering at the pilgrim office for the past six years I have seen a wide variety of corner cutting and outright cheating to obtain Compostelas. It hurts my heart to see this, especially when I also see the extreme efforts made by persons with physical handicaps who manage to cover the full distances using crutches, canes, walking frames and wheelchairs.
My ire is well founded. But, I withdraw criticism of the OP in this case.
You got my juices flowing with this comment.T2andreo apologized for misunderstanding your situation. If you don't accept his apology, fine; but what you wrote is basically the Pot calling the Kettle black. . . judging and criticizing him for your perception that he judged and criticized you. Tom is a great guy, he has a very generous heart, and as a volunteer in the Pilgrim's Office in SdC, he has probably seen and experienced a lot of issues with folks trying to game the system.
But the most important thing in this is that he apologized and was gracious enough to admit a mistake.
Perhaps you didn't know, but he happens to be there, right now, in Santiago, as part of the team at the Pilgrim Office, so his use of "we" is understandable.“We”?
I did know.Perhaps you didn't know, but he happens to be there, right now, in Santiago, as part of the team at the Pilgrim Office, so his use of "we" is understandable.
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