- Time of past OR future Camino
- Francés x 5, Le Puy x 2, Arles, Tours, Norte, Madrid, Via de la Plata, Portuguese, Primitivo
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I understand what they are doing, but I am bothered a little bit that the convenience of the volunteers has been chosen over the needs of the pilgrims! It makes me wonder if the Pilgrim Office understands its purpose. Compensated clerks were replaced by volunteers a few years ago. Now "the bottom line" has caused myopia by the Office. It makes me sad more than angry...It is understandable from the perspective of the volunteers who staff the Pilgrims Office, but could be difficult and disappointing if you have a plane or bus or train to catch.
You aren't allowed more than one ticket. If you do try to take a second one it will be snatched from your hand by a staff member.I am amzed no young spanish person has yet worked out that they could go in in the morning, take 20 or 30 tickets and then sell them on later to tired pilgrims in the long queue outside!!
I am amzed no young spanish person has yet worked out that they could go in in the morning, take 20 or 30 tickets and then sell them on later to tired pilgrims in the long queue outside!!
Hi kanga,On the forum and in other places we are seeing reports that because of the new ticketing system some pilgrims are missing out on collecting their Compostela. Apparently the ticket kiosk shuts down when enough tickets have been issued to keep the volunteers busy for the day, and lately that has been a lot less than the number of people wanting a Compostela. It means that those who miss out have to come back the next day and take their chances again. It is understandable from the perspective of the volunteers who staff the Pilgrims Office, but could be difficult and disappointing if you have a plane or bus or train to catch.
So, if getting the Compostela is important to you, do consider planning an extra couple of days in Santiago, just in case. And get to the ticket kiosk early. It may be OK once the numbers slow down, but that will not be for a while. I understand that record numbers have left SJPDP during September, so presumably lots of pilgrims will be arriving during October.
It seem that, as someone suggested, the trick might be to have more volunteers. How does one volunteer for a couple of weeks helping out? I'd do that in a heartbeat and perhaps others would as well. They ought to be able to up the number of volunteers quite dramatically. Another option might be to advertise that you could volunteer for say a week or so after you've done your Camino. Kind of an immediate pay back. Thoughts? Or am I just being too optimistic?
It seem that, as someone suggested, the trick might be to have more volunteers. How does one volunteer for a couple of weeks helping out? I'd do that in a heartbeat and perhaps others would as well. They ought to be able to up the number of volunteers quite dramatically. Another option might be to advertise that you could volunteer for say a week or so after you've done your Camino. Kind of an immediate pay back. Thoughts? Or am I just being too optimistic?
Articulated beautifully.The pilgrim’s office is no longer doing today’s work today. They are starting work with a waiting list - the people who arrived yesterday but couldn’t get a number. Some of yesterday’s work is left to do. This waiting list and can very quickly grow as quickly. Previously, today’s work was essentially being done today.
Or they could charge a few Euro for the Compostela.Maybe more Pilgrims need to make donations of money and time to keep the Pilgrim Office running.
Hi anLook at any of my posts. There is a link to "Pilgrim Office Volunteering." It is blue... This will explain everything you need to know.
Hope this helps.
Hi,I’ve seen several threads on this and have tried to avoid commenting as I didn’t want to sound like a nerd
I have done a lot of work involving queues, waiting lists and “demand management “ - the latter is a phrase I dislike intensely.
A queue is generated if there is a mismatch in demand and capacity - the phrasing of this is important. A queue does not necessarily mean that the average demand is more than the average capacity, just that there is a mismatch. For example, if on average 100 people request a compostela and there is capacity on average to provide 100, there still may be a queue depending on arrival patterns and capacity planning - the variation in capacity and demand. So a long queue does not necessarily mean that more capacity or volunteers are needed.
The problem arises when steps are taken to manage the queue - because often the obvious solution is the wrong solution - and will make the situation worse. And this is what has happened.
In theory you can not control demand - pilgrims arrive in steady amounts. There are seasonal variations, and I would think there are peaks and troughs through the day, and also some variation in day of arrival. You cannot control the number arriving - however this is what the new scheme is doing in essence - the office is only allowing a certain number to “arrive” daily - only a certain (and essentially fixed) number of compostelas are being given. Unfortunately this “demand management” has generated a waiting list because there are some days when more than 1400 are required. There is a mismatch. If less than 1400 are required, that spare capacity is lost - 1500 won’t be issued the next day.
The pilgrim’s office is no longer doing today’s work today. They are starting work with a waiting list - the people who arrived yesterday but couldn’t get a number. Some of yesterday’s work is left to do. This waiting list and can very quickly grow as quickly. Previously, today’s work was essentially being done today.
This is a very good example of an obvious solution being the wrong solution - and it is making the situation worse.
The solution(s) require an understanding in the variation in demand and trying to match the capacity to this (if possible) Also, if the process of obtaining a Compostela is simplified or streamlined or completely changed then obviously more capacity may become available and more compostelas can be ‘processed’ - and I have seen some good ideas for this on this forum.
One thing is pretty sure though - the current situation will probably get worse before it gets better.
Sorry about the long and boring post...and yes, I am a nerd
PS I am certainly not blaming anyone here - the pilgrim’s office and all the volunteers are all working very hard to provide an excellent service in what can, I imagine, be a stressful environment especially when dealing with tired and sometimes grumpy pilgrims.
"needs"? More of a want, IMO.I understand what they are doing, but I am bothered a little bit that the convenience of the volunteers has been chosen over the needs of the pilgrims! It makes me wonder if the Pilgrim Office understands its purpose. Compensated clerks were replaced by volunteers a few years ago. Now "the bottom line" has caused myopia by the Office. It makes me sad more than angry...
@t2andreo I don’t understand why it is not possible for this all to be done by mail - hand out a questionnaire with all the details required including some open ended questions so people can’t cheat too easily, have a requirement that the signature be witnessed by someone who certifies the identity, and get the pilgrims to post or drop that form, together with their credential and a stamped self addressed envelope, to the Pilgrims Office. The staff in the office can then take their time to check and certify the documents and the correct number of stamps on the credential and post out the Compostela. They could charge for the special post service. It allows the spread of work throughout the year which would surely be helpful.
There would also be a groan of protest from this 2000km-former-paper-seeker. Though probably a muted and sadly resigned one. Do we really need to muddy the already turbid waters even further by making a yet more divisive official "definition" of what a real pilgrim is? In my own opinion the introduction of the 100km rule was a serious mistake which has badly undermined the religious/spiritual character of the pilgrimage by shifting the focus onto an arbitrary physical performance test rather than personal motivation and understanding of its inspiration and object. I find the competitive nature of much current Camino comment distasteful enough with the all-too-frequent offhand dismissal of the 100km Sarria 'tourigrinos'. Shifting that boundary out to 300km does not seem likely to improve that situation much.One simple solution to all this needs no change in the process at the Pilgrims Office.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...-the-100-km-rule-to-300-km.39220/#post-391375
There would be howls of protest from the 100 km-paper-seekers, and resistance from the Xunta (which stands to lose revenue). But it would ease the crunch considerably.
Hi,I have to say, with basically only one downside - you have to arrive in the morning or plan for another day - the ticketing system is infinitely better than the live queue. You don't have to wait in the building for three hours any more.
It is really not that bad. Like so many subjects on this forum it gets as they say, blown out of proportion.Hi,
Look forward to see what is going to be after my Camino next year...hopefully they will implement an improved system ...or I will just go with the flow
I could not agree more, @Bradypus.In my own opinion the introduction of the 100km rule was a serious mistake which has badly undermined the religious/spiritual character of the pilgrimage by shifting the focus onto an arbitrary physical performance test rather than personal motivation and understanding of its inspiration and object.
Well, no - of course you're right. But a piece of paper wouldn't really matter in that case, so the definition of a 'real pilgrim' is a moot point.Do we really need to muddy the already turbid waters even further by making a yet more divisive official "definition" of what a real pilgrim is?
I may be one of the few that actually did not mind the experience, but rather liked it. You got to meet people and chat...it felt like one last communal experience before leaving the camino. And you could go any time - sure the queue was longer some times than others, but it just took a little patience, which our 'hurry-up' culture does not instill. And you could still go in the evening after arriving in the afternoon - the take-a-number routine now makes that impossible.the ticketing system is infinitely better than the live queue. You don't have to wait in the building for three hours any more.
With respect RJM, you did say above that you had waited only an hour each time you collected a compostela. Your patience might conceivably have been stretched thin if each wait had lasted 3 hours, or if you arrived at lunchtime and found that you couldn't get a ticket that day. The number of posts is proportional to the considerable number of people expressing an opinion on the issue.It is really not that bad. Like so many subjects on this forum it gets as they say, blown out of proportion.
Ultreia
No doubt given a choice I would not want to wait in a long queue, but honestly if I did I just would not be that bothered by it, and if I was I would just forgo getting my free sheet of paper.With respect RJM, you did say above that you had waited only an hour each time you collected a compostela. Your patience might conceivably have been stretched thin if each wait had lasted 3 hours, or if you arrived at lunchtime and found that you couldn't get a ticket that day. The number of posts is proportional to the considerable number of people expressing an opinion on the issue.
I personally feel similarly. I obtained a compostela back in 2012 after a relatively short wait. But none since, not only because I could not be bothered queueing for the length of time now required, but also because I considered one document enough. I would probably endure the queue if it was for my first though. And I have to admit being told to come back tomorrow would just as probably result in a sense-of-humour failure...No doubt given a choice I would not want to wait in a long queue, but honestly if I did I just would not be that bothered by it, and if I was I would just forgo getting my free sheet of paper.
But how do you know this? Do you have insight in their internal data? How do you know whether there wasn't a mismatch in the past between supply and demand? Whether people arrived, saw the long queue, decided to come another time on the same day or the next morning or not at all? And how do you know whether there isn't a change in behaviour patterns with the new system?Previously, today’s work was essentially being done today. This is a very good example of an obvious solution being the wrong solution - and it is making the situation worse.
I disagree with the statement that today's work was being done today. The PO didn't stay open until the last pilgrim got their compostella. They would have had to cut the line off somewhere and say come back tomorrow. The tickets at least avoid having people stand in line, only to be told "not today".The pilgrim’s office is no longer doing today’s work today. They are starting work with a waiting list - the people who arrived yesterday but couldn’t get a number. Some of yesterday’s work is left to do. This waiting list and can very quickly grow as quickly. Previously, today’s work was essentially being done today.
I would put trash can (providing and emptying) ahead of Pilgrim Office support...No doubt they can pry open their treasure chests and throw some more gold doubloons to the pilgrim's office in SDC so that they can hire/rehire the paid staff.
Those would work great only if they were able to buy common sense and selflessness for the pilgrims with the trashy tendencies, lol.I would put trash can (providing and emptying) ahead of Pilgrim Office support...
As I understand it the Pilgrims Office used to be staffed by a permanent paid core staff of 18 employees, with extra temporary paid staff in the busier months. Volunteers were extra helpers to welcome pilgrims, in their own language.
Now the Pilgrims Office is staffed almost entirely, according to @t2andreo, by volunteers.
The change seems to have happened when one Cannon died, and another was put in charge. The change was not universally welcomed, especially by those who were out of a job.
Each year the Cathedral receives millions of visitors. Millions. Most make a donation of at least something. I have not seen any statistics on how much money the Cathedral receives in income and donations. Or how much the Cathedral receives in grants from the Xunta and the National Government. It is regarded as a national treasure, so I assume at least something. It would be fascinating to know.
If anyone feels strongly about the current problems, then they can write to:
Don Julián Barrio Barrio
Archbishop of Santiago
vicecanciller@archicompostela.org
I don't think you wasted your time but it's good to hear from volunteers who were in Santiago recently. Interesting to learn that the PO has to be self-financing.I seem to have wasted my time.
How sad.In my two-week stint, working >80h, I noted that only ONE pilgrim put something into the donation box. The Compostela is issued free of charge. To issue 1400 per day in summer, on such a business model, is a miracle.
It seems that after walking all those kilometros, we are all back into the I-want-it-and-I want-it-now mentality.
That won't work. It would have to say something along the lines of "Please make a donation. It costs ... € to produce and issue your Compostela".The office needs a sign that says in many languages, "Donativo does not mean free."
Hi Kanga,
I was a volunteer in the PO over summer. No, it is not staffed almost entirely by volunteers. That is not true.
In our training, the Dean, who is in charge of the PO, told us that the PO is and has to be self-financing. The Cathedral does NOT fund the PO. The Xunta apparently contributes toward the security but even then they (the Xunta) want to withdraw this.
In my two-week stint, working >80h, I noted that only ONE pilgrim put something into the donation box. The Compostela is issued free of charge. To issue 1400 per day in summer, on such a business model, is a miracle.
It seems that after walking all those kilometros, we are all back into the I-want-it-and-I want-it-now mentality.
I seem to have wasted my time.
The donation box I used was there on the counter, but it was not highlighted in any way.I did not notice the donation box when I got a Compostela last month.
We discussed this before. I have the impression that for many people the Compostela is a souvenir. A free but not a cheapish kind of souvenir. For others, it has a different kind of value, witness the increasing popularity of the "Vicarie pro" option. Selling pieces of paper with a spiritual value on behalf of the Catholic Church has a very bad rap. Surely everybody knows about "As soon as the coin in the casket rings ... "?Or 'must' it be Free for Everyone for some reason?
We discussed this before. I have the impression that for many people the Compostela is a souvenir. A free but not a cheapish kind of souvenir. For others, it has a different kind of value, witness the increasing popularity of the "Vicarie pro" option. Selling pieces of paper with a spiritual value on behalf of the Catholic Church has a very bad rap. Surely everybody knows about "As soon as the coin in the casket rings ... "?
It's an old marketing slogan, attributed to a minor figure at the eve of the Reformation. One may think that is old history but I feel that would underestimate the lasting imprint of that event, and all that followed from it until today, on our collective memory.Sorry I haven't heard of that. I'm not a Catholic.
I did not notice the donation box when I got a Compostela last month.
Neither did II never even noticed any donation boxes.
Rename the pilgrim office the 'Tetzel Centre' perhaps to keep the memory fresh?It's an old marketing slogan, attributed to a minor figure at the eve of the Reformation.
No neither did I . I would happily donate or pay for one.I did not notice the donation box when I got a Compostela last month.
The Cathedral does NOT fund the PO.
Or maybe the Cathedral should change it's 'policy' and help fund the PO?
Last I heard the Catholic Church was not that poor
As far as I am concerned: I didn't equate the two. I tried to provide an explanation why the Santiago Cathedral may be averse to selling Compostelas. Things are not as simple as presented sometimes. Witness the argument that the "Catholic Church isn't poor" and should therefore be able to pay for all sorts of things for which they are not paying or not paying enough.It is quite amusing that the idea of paying for a Compostela is being equated with paying for an Indulgence. Appropriately medieval!
As I understand it the Pilgrims Office used to be staffed by a permanent paid core staff of 18 employees, with extra temporary paid staff in the busier months. Volunteers were extra helpers to welcome pilgrims, in their own language.
Now the Pilgrims Office is staffed almost entirely, according to @t2andreo, by volunteers.
The change seems to have happened when one Cannon died, and another was put in charge. The change was not universally welcomed, especially by those who were out of a job.
Each year the Cathedral receives millions of visitors. Millions. Most make a donation of at least something. I have not seen any statistics on how much money the Cathedral receives in income and donations. Or how much the Cathedral receives in grants from the Xunta and the National Government. It is regarded as a national treasure, so I assume at least something. It would be fascinating to know.
If anyone feels strongly about the current problems, then they can write to:
Don Julián Barrio Barrio
Archbishop of Santiago
vicecanciller@archicompostela.org
I doubt there are records for that though someone could probably work it out from the pilgrim office's stationery orders. Perhaps that information should be recorded by the pilgrim office and published on their website? Would only take a few seconds. But multiply that by 300,000+.....Tangentially, how many people get just a Compostela but no protective case or Certificate of Distance? Is that known?
The sole solution, IMHO is to try to encourage more pilgrims to volunteer more months. Instead of seeking to volunteer from May through the end of August, the office desperately needs as many volunteers as it can get from Semana Santa, at least through the middle of, and likely the end of October. Again, and as I have stated, hiring more paid staff is also not inthe cards. Remember the Compostela, the largest volume product this office cranks out, remains FREE.
Perhaps worth mentioning: I'm following several Camino FB groups (in several languages, btw) and of those who are currently getting Compostelas in Santiago, nobody reports about queuing in the morning long before sunrise or arriving shortly before or after midday only to learn that the daily ticket contingent is exhausted and they had to come back the next morning or leave town without a coveted Compostela. There are, however, reports of experiences of weeks or years ago or of no date whatsoever mixed into the threads and some comments are touching on the borders of the absurd ... but what's new in cyberspace ... anyway, the general situation on the ground seems to be more relaxed.
Any news from the archbishop yet? Or at least the vice chancellor?
I wrote and received a reply that the new assignments would be out in February. I assumed the office was covered for now. Would rather have volunteered than walked this month. Am hanging around an extra couple of days to suss out the volunteer situation myself.Look at any of my posts. There is a link to "Pilgrim Office Volunteering." It is blue... This will explain everything you need to know.
Hope this helps.
Posted elsewhere -My last two Caminos, I got up early in the morning the day after my arrival, and strolled down to the PO at 8 am, where I waited in a very short line to obtain my Compostela. I treasure the memory of those strolls through the quiet city, with beautiful slanted light, and the only noise being the shush shush shush of shopkeepers sweeping their stoops, and the earliest of peregrinos arriving into town. I'm a little sad that apparently this numbering system means that those solitary morning walks will be no more, but at least I have my memories.
Thanks for the background information. At the end of the day I think we need to remember that the entire operation is considered an outreach of faith by the archdiocese. From personal experience such activities rarely follow a focused business model. In fact, there is often an aversion to operate in that way, as it is considered to detract/be a distraction from the true intent.Please do not misinterpret what I have written, in this, or any other thread that relates to how the workload at the Pilgrim Office is being handled.
I wish to clarify and re-emphasize that the PIlgrim Office is permanently staffed by a paid cadre of about a dozen, dedicated and hard-working people.
During the busiest summer month, and at certain times during a day, the paid staff wearing civilian clothes, are sometimes lost in a sea of turquoise, ACC Voluntario shirts. It is also true that the office could not function without these additional helpers during the peak season.
FYI, these volunteers come from:
- local seminaries that are closed for the summer (at Pamplona)
- Cathedral offices and organizations (like ACC) that can help out from time to time.
- local priests and deacons on the university or Cathedral staffs who might be available
- college-aged people attending one or another church-sponsored summer program in town
- local residents, known to the office staff, who just come to pitch in
- Camino veteran volunteers, like us, who want to give back for what they have experienced
During the peak season, from June through the beginning of September, when universities return to session, the number of volunteers and pilgrims peak. But, as September progresses, the number of volunteers dwindles as their other obligations beckon. By about October, and through April, there are very few regular volunteers and paid staff dominate.
Simply put, the number of volunteers is dynamic. The number of paid staff is constant. The present and coming, larger problem is that there is a reasonable limit on the number of volunteers available. But, for the next several years, the number of arriving pilgrims is going to continue to increase significantly. We are already seeing the number of daily arrivals remain higher than in the past, later - beyond the usual early September typical end of season.
So, while it appears at times that the pilgrim office is run mostly by volunteers, THIS IS NOT THE CASE. The office is operated by the cadre of dedicated, low-paid, but hard-working staff. Volunteers come and go.
Volunteers from all sources are used to address the annual pig in the python phenomenon. However, of late, the proverbial piggie is getting bigger and longer... During the summer months each day is typically "all hands to the pumps..."
So, the challenge in everything I have written on this, and it has been a lot, especially of late, is to develop more efficient products and flexible processes, so more work (a lot more work) can be done with fewer people, at all times of the year. The coming Holy Year is going to bring this all to a head.
Despite what my posts suggest, I have neither direct access while I am at home; nor, serious influence over what Cathedral and Pilgrim Office management do in terms of policies and processes. Nonetheless, I continue to pray and be hopeful than "the penny will drop" and someone there reads some of this material.
Clearly, anyone who feels so inclined can write His Excellency, the Archbishop, at the Cathedral. I do not desire to impede that right. If you do write, I recommend you write in Spanish (use an online translator - I personally find the Microsoft one better overall to Google). Also, include your English language text BELOW or on an enclosed second page, so they can read both to better understand exactly what you are trying to say.
Finally, if you DO decide to write, be on point, be respectful, be sincere. The Archbishop's boss is Pope Francis, direct. So, His Excellency, Don Julián Barrio Barrio, is a very senior official in the Church hierarchy.
I do ask that you try to have all the information, or send a PM to ask a specific question off line. In fact, I am writing this clarification in response to a query from another Camino veteran who felt that Kanga's post might be misunderstood. I understand totally. I am frequently misunderstood...I am an expert at it, in fact. Kanga is trying to help, and I sincerely appreciate the assist.
I feel that it can only help. Hope it does.
I hope this clarifies.
Posted elsewhere -
7:50 AM yesterday
View attachment 65506
No more silent walks, I guess. The Camino seems to be evolving rapidly, along with climate change, perhaps?
Pictures say more than a 1000 words, don't theyWow! That's a long queue at that time in the morning. We didnt have to queue to get in but like I say I was 831 at around 11.15 am
I was #107. Was only there so early because I was staying down the street. I think there were about another 100 on line after me. But after this first batch got their tickets the line was gone. Don’t think it was really worth it to show up so early, if I’d arrived at 8:10 I probably would have walked straight in and been only about 200 further back. But it did mean that I was out in time for the English mass and was able to sign up for a foot massage in the afternoon.Pictures say more than a 1000 words, don't they... I would love to see a photo of that queue at 10 minutes past 8 instead of 10 minutes before 8 ...
Thanks for this clarification. I reckon that this early morning queue that starts to form around 6 am apparently and disappears shortly after 8 am will be a permanent fixture, no matter what they do. Even when there is enough staff to guarantee that everyone will get a Compostela on the day there will be people who want to get their Compostela first thing in the morning, for whatever reason, and they will queue for their ticket before the office opens.I was #107. Was only there so early because I was staying down the street. I think there were about another 100 on line after me. But after this first batch got their tickets the line was gone. Don’t think it was really worth it to show up so early, if I’d arrived at 8:10 I probably would have walked straight in
Unless things have changed recently, you can have your pack with you in the pilgrim office.Can anyone tell me if I can get the ticket carrying my pack or do I need to store it somewhere? I will walk into Santiago early tomorrow to get my ticket with hopes of getting the complostella by mid-day.
I agree. Head straight for pilgrims office. Once you have your ticket you can go for lunch. Relax and see the square and the Cathedral. Priority is getting that ticket!Yes, you can go to the Pilgrim Office with your rucksack, and get a ticket.
The office also has a “consigna” to store your bag. It costs €2,00 daily. You can even store stuff there, at €2 daily while continuing on to Finisterre, etc.
I advise proceeding directly the Pilgrim Office, get a QR queue number ticket, then assess if you can leave the premises to check in at your accommodations, have coffee, etc.
Just be sure you are in the hall when your number is called. Please, DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!!
Hope this helps.
I'm not sure what you are suggesting as an alternative. Keep the volunteers there until all pilgrims have been served, even if it means they never eat or sleep? Aside from the other challenges involved, it seems like this might be a shortsighted tactic, as it might significantly diminish the number of volunteers. Force more people to volunteer? Pay for a larger office and more staff than the sales at the office can support (remembering, of course, that the Compostela is free)?I understand what they are doing, but I am bothered a little bit that the convenience of the volunteers has been chosen over the needs of the pilgrims! It makes me wonder if the Pilgrim Office understands its purpose. Compensated clerks were replaced by volunteers a few years ago. Now "the bottom line" has caused myopia by the Office. It makes me sad more than angry...
You are the expert in this, not I, so I am probably missing something obvious here, but wasn't this always the case - in the old system as well as the new?You cannot control the number arriving - however this is what the new scheme is doing in essence - the office is only allowing a certain number to “arrive” daily - only a certain (and essentially fixed) number of compostelas are being given. Unfortunately this “demand management” has generated a waiting list because there are some days when more than 1400 are required. There is a mismatch. If less than 1400 are required, that spare capacity is lost - 1500 won’t be issued the next day.
Yes, this was the case with the old system, but I don't think that people expect to be turned away as early as 12:30, as has happened with the new system. I think that the new system puts undue stress on pilgrims on their last day of walking to Santiago. I saw it happen as word spread along the trail that they better hurry if they wanted to get a Compostela that day.You are the expert in this, not I, so I am probably missing something obvious here, but wasn't this always the case - in the old system as well as the new?
In the old system, as I recall, at some point during the day they would close the doors and stop giving out compostelas. They had X number of volunteers who could process Y compostelas an hour (more or less) giving them a maximum daily capacity of Z compostelas (less if there were some times during the day when there wasn't a pilgrim for every volunteer). If more than Z pilgrims arrived, some would end up having to come back the next day. If less half of the volunteers were sitting in front of empty wickets one day, that wouldn't create extra capacity the next day.
Was this not the case in the old system? If so, why are you saying it is a product of the new system?
I must be missing something.
And isn’t distinguishing between our wants and our needs one the essential things that a pilgrimage is supposed to teach us? A Compostela is only a material thing after all.The Compostela is very nice and I have a couple from my most recent pilgrimages, but it hardly qualifies as one of the "needs of the pilgrims". Food. Drink. A place to sleep. Sometimes medical attention. These are the needs of the pilgrims. Not the piece of paper, nice as it is.
But Is this the fault of the pilgrim office or simply the result of the huge increase in the number of pilgrims? No system is ever perfect, and as this one is new, I’m sure any real kinks will be worked out. But in the end, if one wants the Compostela on the same day, it may be necessary to start walking at 4 AM from Monte de Gozo, which will probably start to open year round.Yes, this was the case with the old system, but I don't think that people expect to be turned away as early as 12:30, as has happened with the new system.
It seems to me (and again, this is not my area of expertise) that with either system, if more people arrive and are looking for Compostelas on a particular day than volunteers are able to process, some pilgrims are not going to end up with a Compostela that day. In the new system it is purely those who arrive after a certain time. In the old system it was (a) those who saw a long line and decided it wasn't worth the wait and (b) those who were in line or joining the line when they reached the cut off point towards closing time and said "no more". The more there were of the former, the less there were of the latter.Yes, this was the case with the old system, but I don't think that people expect to be turned away as early as 12:30, as has happened with the new system. I think that the new system puts undue stress on pilgrims on their last day of walking to Santiago. I saw it happen as word spread along the trail that they better hurry if they wanted to get a Compostela that day.
Is it normally busy in first weeks of May and is the Pilgrim office open on Sunday?
Personally I do believe getting a Compostela is important! You have done the journey why all this jumping through hoops. This year will be my twelfth Camino and I do not plan in getting a Compostela. For me, the journey is sufficient and the experience of doing it is what counts.On the forum and in other places we are seeing reports that because of the new ticketing system some pilgrims are missing out on collecting their Compostela. Apparently the ticket kiosk shuts down when enough tickets have been issued to keep the volunteers busy for the day, and lately that has been a lot less than the number of people wanting a Compostela. It means that those who miss out have to come back the next day and take their chances again. It is understandable from the perspective of the volunteers who staff the Pilgrims Office, but could be difficult and disappointing if you have a plane or bus or train to catch.
So, if getting the Compostela is important to you, do consider planning an extra couple of days in Santiago, just in case. And get to the ticket kiosk early. It may be OK once the numbers slow down, but that will not be for a while. I understand that record numbers have left SJPDP during September, so presumably lots of pilgrims will be arriving during October.
Yes and yes ;-)
BC SY
What? Even if their number is far off?My experience of being a volunteer and working for two weeks in the pilgrim office last October is that if you can show you have the ticket you can jump the queue and get a compostela immediately.
@t2andreo Where is the link to volunteer at the pilgrim's office? Please advise.Look at any of my posts. There is a link to "Pilgrim Office Volunteering." It is blue... This will explain everything you need to know.
Hope this helps.
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