Getting credentials at Puebla De Sanabria or later

spadeslady said:

Hi All,

We plan to make some part of the VDLP in mid September, starting in Puebla de Sanabria.
Where can we get the credentials? I scanned the forum, but could not find any list of such points. So I'll appreciate your help.
And - how important is to have the credentials in order to get an access to pilgrim albergues ?

Click to expand...

You will NOT be able to use albergues without a credencial. Either get one before you go. See the button at the bottom of the page "Free credencial" or e mail the private albergue in Puebla de Sanabria (which has a very good website) and ask them where they may be available on your arrival:

http://www.alberguecasaluz.es/en/nuestro-albergue/

Buen Camino

John

I understand there is some discussion about the albergues only recognizing "official" credentials.

However, in 2010 and before, I received credentials from the Confraternity of St. James in England http://www.csj.org.uk/
And from the Canadian Company of Pilgrims http://www.santiago.ca/

The links don't appear to be working correctly, but if you google the names, you'll get them.

Buen Camino,
David, Victoria, Canada.

Before Credentials are supplied to the public by a local pilgrims organisation, they have to be approved by the Pilgrimage Office/Church Authorities in Santiago. That is certainly the case for the CSJ in London, and Australian Friends of the Camino, and I am sure it would also be the case for the Canadian and American pilgrims organisations. But I know of cases where the pilgrim has made up their own Credential, and also John Brierley guides to the Camino Portugues and Camino Finisterre have space specifically for sellos, so the rule seems flexible. Best to be on the safe side though and use an official credential in my opinion.
Similarly the rule for two sellos per day for the last 100 kms seems a little flexible. Last year I only wanted sellos from refugios or churches, so some days I only had 1 sello per day from Sarria. Nevertheless I had obviously walked from Somport because of the sellos in my credential, so I was given my Compostela. Again, best to be on the safe side and get two sellos per day if a Compostela is important to you - which it wasn't to me

If you're from America, it's easy -- just request one here: http://www.americanpilgrims.com/camino/ ... l_req.html. Your note reminded me to apply for mine (I'm also starting in September). The group says to give them 4-5 weeks to process your request, but the two previous times I've applied, they've come in the mail quite quickly. Maybe 1-2 weeks.

Melanie