First credencial stamp in Sarria?

[lalla]

For my previous Camino, I got my credencial at SJPdP, where it was filled in and stamped at the time.

This year I have got my credencial in advance from the Confraternity of St James website, because of issues with arrival times at Sarria. How do I get my first stamp? Do I simply present it in my hostel for the first night? I know it's silly, but I have a weird fear that it won't be accepted because I will have filled it in myself!

 

[Bradypus]

The first albergue you stay in will stamp it. As will almost any bar or restaurant you visit. Or many churches. You do not need to find an "official" stamp to begin with. Just remember to have your credencial stamped at least twice per day if you want a Compostela at the end. That should be no problem.

 

[dougfitz]

To extend @Bradypus' explanation, my experience is that almost any place of accommodation will stamp your credential, both on your first night and later. I stayed in hotels, hostels, B&Bs, etc. The only place that didn't have a stamp was when my wife and I rented a private flat for the night through Booking.com, and it was easy enough to get a stamp from one of the bars in town.

 

[Anamya]

And there is no problem at all if you filled the info in the credential yourself (name address, etc).
I did it with my last credential and it was perfectly fine. My first hotel looked at the credential, at my passport and stamped it with no issues.

 

[lalla]

Thank you! One more slightly stupid thing - if I get my first stamp late at night, is it ok just to have one stamp for that day? I have awful thoughts of trying to find two places to stamp it at 11pm...

(Was much easier starting last time!)

 

[Felipe]

The rule is two daily stamps. If you do that in next days, it will not be a problem (unless you make something improbable, as 100 km in two days...)

 

[lalla]

Thank you all.

 

[t2andreo]

If you show a continuous chronological progression from your starting point to Santiago, and TRY to get two or more stamps / sellos daily, you will NOT have a problem with the odd (as in maybe once from Sarria in) lapse of only having one stamp / sello.

They really are available just about everywhere. Even closed churches will have a table and a stamp on the portico sometimes... Start with one from where you slept. Then pick up another in whatever cafe / bar you will stop at for refreshment during the day.

It is easy, if you think about it. No need to obsess...

Hope this helps.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

You could carry a potato and a craft knife to make a backup stamp in the event that you don't come across any bars, shops, hostels, offices, or churches. On the other hand, if you don't come across any of those, you've probably landed in the wrong country.

 

[RJM]

So many places between Sarria and Santiago to self stamp your credentials that if by some chance you forget or are unable to for some reason to get two stamps one day, simply get three the next day, the first one you get date it from the day before. Makes no difference. Saint James won't mind.

 

[trecile]

I know it's silly, but I have a weird fear that it won't be accepted because I will have filled it in myself!

I've always ordered my credentials from Ivar and filled them out myself before starting the Camino.

 

[Kclif]

Hi,
Similar question as the OP. I’m starting my Camino in Irun in mid May. Arriving by bus from Bilbao in the afternoon. I want to get going straight away, so can’t wait for the albergue to open at 16:00. I would like to get my 1st stamp in Irun. Can members advise where in Irun the 1st stamp could be obtained which is likely to be open early afternoon?

 

[trecile]

Hi,
Similar question as the OP. I’m starting my Camino in Irun in mid May. Arriving by bus from Bilbao in the afternoon. I want to get going straight away, so can’t wait for the albergue to open at 16:00. I would like to get my 1st stamp in Irun. Can members advise where in Irun the 1st stamp could be obtained which is likely to be open early afternoon?

There's a tourist information booth in the center right near the Camino. I'm sure that they have a stamp, though I forgot to get one there.

 

[gloria lowe]

Hi,
Similar question as the OP. I’m starting my Camino in Irun in mid May. Arriving by bus from Bilbao in the afternoon. I want to get going straight away, so can’t wait for the albergue to open at 16:00. I would like to get my 1st stamp in Irun. Can members advise where in Irun the 1st stamp could be obtained which is likely to be open early afternoon?

Train or bus station

 

[Kclif]

At the bus station in Irun, perfect!! Thank you

 

[Felipe]

Post offices offer stamps to pilgrims. This seems very "official" to me.
The offices have a very bright yellow announcement over the door, with a stylized horn and crown, and the word "Correos", in blue.