Free lunch

[roamingpaddy]

It was great to get a voucher for a free lunch which I enjoyed very much. Free lunch vouchers are given to the first 10 pilgrims each morning at the pilgrim office.

 

[JabbaPapa]

The old system was better, food perhaps not -- but some professional beggars ruined it for everyone.

 

[Bradypus]

The old system was better, food perhaps not -- but some professional beggars ruined it for everyone.

I found the food was not bad under the old "3 meals for 3 days" system but it was such a bleak experience eating alone in the staff dungeon that I had just the one meal and did not return for the rest.

 

[JabbaPapa]

I found the food was not bad under the old "3 meals for 3 days" system but it was such a bleak experience eating alone in the staff dungeon that I had just the one meal and did not return for the rest.

I found the breakfast to be so copious that eating lunch was not possible ; the only time I managed more than once in the same day was breakfast plus dinner.

I've never been in there alone though ...

 

[lt56ny]

I found the breakfast to be so copious that eating lunch was not possible ; the only time I managed more than once in the same day was breakfast plus dinner.

I found the food was not bad under the old "3 meals for 3 days" system but it was such a bleak experience eating alone in the staff dungeon that I had just the one meal and did not return for the rest.

Do either of you know when the switched to the current system. I kind of remember after my first camino about a few pilgrims getting rooms in the Parador for a very low price and the meal that you describe.Since I arrive in Santiago in December I have been given the free lunch 3 times. I am always thankful and have met some really nice pilgrims.

 

[david46]

One thing no-one has mentioned is the fact that pilgrims who eat in the Parador are taking part in a ritual that has been going for several hundred years. Never mind the quality of the food or the (lack of) ambience. Think about all those who have gone before you and who would have been abidingly grateful for such a simple repast.

 

[JabbaPapa]

abidingly grateful for such a simple repast.

The best meal I have ever had on the Camino was in 1994, a little old lady in Western France gave me a simple omelette and a glass of water.

 

[Canche]

I found the lunch to be not so good. Also some nasty pilgrims who got there late and fought to ahead of those of us who arrived early

 

[Tiapatrol]

It was great to get a voucher for a free lunch which I enjoyed very much. Free lunch vouchers are given to the first 10 pilgrims each morning at the pilgrim office.

View attachment 144184

When we walked the Portogues Camino in 2018, a man came along in a Mercedes and gave bag lunches to Pilgrims on his lunch break, it was a blessing.

 

[Bradypus]

When we walked the Portogues Camino in 2018, a man came along in a Mercedes and gave bag lunches to Pilgrims on his lunch break, it was a blessing.

One of the pleasures of walking the 88 Temple pilgrimage on Shikoku in Japan is the local tradition of ossetai - giving a gift to passing pilgrims. They can come in many forms but food is one of the more common ones. At first I was quite embarrassed to receive these but gradually came to understand that it is a way for local people to share in the pilgrimage with those who are passing by.

 

[Tiapatrol]

One of the pleasures of walking the 88 Temple pilgrimage on Shikoku in Japan is the local tradition of ossetai - giving a gift to passing pilgrims. They can come in many forms but food is one of the more common ones. At first I was quite embarrassed to receive these but gradually came to understand that it is a way for local people to share in the pilgrimage with those who are passing by.

Wow, that is really neat tradition. Thanks.

 

[NorthernLight]

Their system of ‘choosing’ pilgrims must shift from season to season as well. When I arrived in Nov 2016, there were no vouchers. At each meal, the first ten people with credential to arrive at the designated waiting spot were led in to the staff cafeteria and then to a windowless dining room. I had one dinner; it was fine. The history of the gesture was nicer. I never tried for more meals.