- Time of past OR future Camino
- June: Camino Frances from Pamplona
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I sympathize with you but surely realise they cannot stay open all night and are volunteers. You must accept it was you who booked the bus and not anyone else. You are disappointed I know but it has nothing to do with distances walked I thinkI mentioned this in another post, but it bears repeating. My wife I walked 480 miles from SJPDP to SDC only to be told “we’re closed!” We had a bus reservation for 8:00 am today, so we couldn’t come back.
My wife injured her knees, but still continued on, dutifully collecting her 2 stamps a day & was denied her Compostela, while thousands who started in Sarria waltzed in and received a Compostela. It’s not in the spirit if the Camino to say this, but it just seems wrong.
At any rate, The Camino will always be inside of us.
Personally I cannot imagine a situation where getting a Compostela is so important to me that I would be prepared to add an extra few days to my plans just to make certain of it. I think it is a measure of how dysfunctional the system is at the moment that such a drastic proposal might be considered.We are seeing a number of these reports, not just on this forum. I do think people need to be aware of the problem and give themselves a few extra days in Santiago, if getting the Compostela is important.
Congratulations on finishing the Camino and especially to your wife for completing it despite her injuries. Well done. That must have been an effort to her and to you for the extra care and support she must have needed and you provided. In hindsight it must in its own peculiar way be wonderful to have such a personal and close experience with your wife. You got through it together!
So personally I hope that mutual and hopefully bonding experience, the Camino with everything it brings, the many people you met for better and worse, the beautiful nature and the everywhere present Camino spirit will be your lasting impression and inspiration.
Not the piece of paper you didn't get. I have two of them. My intention was to frame them and hang them somewhere on my wall. They are still in their containers......they mean very little to me compared to the happy memories I have from my Caminos
Though I fully understand and sympathise with your disappointment then in my opinion it's not about a piece of paper. Its what you got out of the Camino spiritually and mentally.
(Hope I'm not too much of a "clever having found the truth irritatingly wise something" here....).
Amen.I don't think it is fair to be angry at them when the pilgrim office cannot handle all the arrivals in the course of every day.
I'm so sorry your wife injured her knees, and that you didn't get the paper to take home with you. I'm troubled that you would criticize your colleagues who started their way after you. While it can be disappointing not to get the Compostela because you weren't willing to change a bus ticket, it's really concerning that you could walk all that way and still not understand the journey.I mentioned this in another post, but it bears repeating. My wife I walked 480 miles from SJPDP to SDC only to be told “we’re closed!” We had a bus reservation for 8:00 am today, so we couldn’t come back.
My wife injured her knees, but still continued on, dutifully collecting her 2 stamps a day & was denied her Compostela, while thousands who started in Sarria waltzed in and received a Compostela. It’s not in the spirit if the Camino to say this, but it just seems wrong.
At any rate, The Camino will always be inside of us.
I recall a possibility of obtaining a Compostella by postal application. This may be a wish-memory but might merit investigation.
You don’t need a piece of paper - you know you did it and all the fun and all the trials that you lived. Hope that knee recovers soon.I mentioned this in another post, but it bears repeating. My wife I walked 480 miles from SJPDP to SDC only to be told “we’re closed!” We had a bus reservation for 8:00 am today, so we couldn’t come back.
My wife injured her knees, but still continued on, dutifully collecting her 2 stamps a day & was denied her Compostela, while thousands who started in Sarria waltzed in and received a Compostela. It’s not in the spirit if the Camino to say this, but it just seems wrong.
At any rate, The Camino will always be inside of us.
Just a caveat to this - if you get your credential stamped at the PO like this then it can never be used in the future to get a Compostela. It effectively “completes” the credential/camino. So if you want a Compostela in the future do not get a stamp at the PO.HINT: Someone who finds themselves in this unfortunate jam should ask for 'solo sello' "stamp only." This will immediately get them the two stamps in the credencial to signify that they made it and finished their Camino. One stamps goes on the last sello page in the credencial. The second stamp is on the inside front cover. Both are dated. The first stamp indicates that you arrived at the Cathedral. The second stamp closes the credencial so it cannot be used again in future. It is free, takes a minute, and can be done even by the security guys through the closed front gate. Half a loaf is better than none.
Unfortunately you have left by now. Almost immediate to the Pilgrim Office the Church of Saint Francis has beautiful printed, dated, signed blessings for donation.I mentioned this in another post, but it bears repeating. My wife I walked 480 miles from SJPDP to SDC only to be told “we’re closed!” We had a bus reservation for 8:00 am today, so we couldn’t come back.
My wife injured her knees, but still continued on, dutifully collecting her 2 stamps a day & was denied her Compostela, while thousands who started in Sarria waltzed in and received a Compostela. It’s not in the spirit if the Camino to say this, but it just seems wrong.
At any rate, The Camino will always be inside of us.
I can understand the disappointment, but I agree that the passport may hold more value and memories as time passes.Very disappointing. But maybe you left things a bit too tight?
Did you go to the Pilgrims office on arrival?
Many people spend a day in SDC.
That gives them a chance to unwind, go to mass, have time to get their Compostela etc.
But I'm sure like many here you'll value your Pilgrim Passport much more than a Compostela....
I am not sure that this is true. I got the PO stamp to indicate that I had arrived in Santiago, and then carried on to Finesterre. I collected my Compostela on my return to Santiago. That said, sll my Compostela's are still in their tubedJust a caveat to this - if you get your credential stamped at the PO like this then it can never be used in the future to get a Compostela. It effectively “completes” the credential/camino. So if you want a Compostela in the future do not get a stamp at the PO.
I'm sorry for the circumstances which prevented you from obtaining the Compostelas, but as you said, "The Camino will always be inside us." Plus you have your credentials, and in fact, your Camino memories live in the credentials and the multitude of sellos they contain more than they live in a single certificate. I'm sure that as you look back over your credentials in the months and years ahead, each of those stamps will bring back fond memories of that day. And in time, when you come to the stamps that were placed on the days that your wife's knees hurt the most, you'll be reminded of her perseverance and determination to continue onward and complete the journey in spite of the pain and suffering that it entailed. I salute you for your accomplishment.I mentioned this in another post, but it bears repeating. My wife I walked 480 miles from SJPDP to SDC only to be told “we’re closed!” We had a bus reservation for 8:00 am today, so we couldn’t come back.
My wife injured her knees, but still continued on, dutifully collecting her 2 stamps a day & was denied her Compostela, while thousands who started in Sarria waltzed in and received a Compostela. It’s not in the spirit if the Camino to say this, but it just seems wrong.
At any rate, The Camino will always be inside of us.
@t2andreo - can one get only the one stamp at the 'end of the line' of stamps to show you arrived, but NOT get the stamp at the front which closes the credential? That way the journey is documented, but the pilgrim could return in future to get the Compostela?
Sorry about bold, I couldn’t see how to turn it@barryg - the bold text, like all caps, seems like shouting.
Sorry about your disappointment. If you read other forum threads, you will learn that this has been a subject of much discussion. And there is no easy solution. It raises the even more difficult question of deciding who "deserves" a compostella most. Again, there are many forum discussions on that.
When you are entering or editing text, there is a bar above the box. The capitla "B" turns bold on and off. To edit a post, highlight the text with click and drag, then click the "B." Bold will change.Sorry about bold, I couldn’t see how to turn it
When I become more emotional than the person offended, I pause. If I am more offended about, say, a racially/sexually charged comment, I try to be only offended as much as the applicable group. It is saving me a lot of psychic energy.I was becoming irate on my wife’s behalf. She doesn’t care!
Pilgrims need to plan ahead better. Assume they need to stay one more day and night at Santiago. Failure to plan ahead does not create an emergency condition for the office.
Sorry! Didn’t mean to let my baser side show through. I suppose I was becoming irate on my wife’s behalf. She doesn’t care! I have a Compostela from last year and I walked from Pamplona & skipped 3 stages. My Compostela is gathering dust somewhere, but my memories & my wife’s memories live inside of us.
Poor form for me to denigrate others.
I apologize to all pilgrims. They are all precious in his sight.
@JabbaPapa many are conflating Camino and Compostela when they are two separate and distinct things. Camino, or even 'The" Camino can never be a bureaucratic exercise. A camino is and the caminos are spiritual and physical endeavours. The undertaking of pilgrimage to the shrine of Santiago. The Compostela is a certificate awarded by the Diocese of Santiago to those who comply with the Diocese' requirements of qualification.The Camino is not a mere exercise in bureaucracy.
The Camino is not a mere exercise in bureaucracy.
@JabbaPapa many are conflating Camino and Compostela when they are two separate and distinct things.
the[re] is no camino bureaucracy
IMHO, this issue is going to get far worse before it gets materially better.
Tom- A couple of months ago when we arrived in Muxia, as we were
checking into our apartment, the owner surprised us with two “muxianas” after asking her where we could go to obtain them. Apparently she was authorized to issue them. I’m just wondering if SDC has considered alternative approved locations for issuing the Compostela. Has there been any discussion of this?
Wish I had know this yesterday. I finished, but was turned away at the door as it was already 5:30 PM. Came back today hoping it could be backdated, but was told no, they had to date it for today, the 5th. I was somewhat disappointed, as yesterday was my birthday. I’d begun my walk from Lourdes last October 4 and finished my walk from Ferrol the same day a year later. I’m looking at that 5 and trying to figure out how to turn it into a 4.......Yes, that is possible.
All you have to do is say "solo uno sello, por favor" (only one stamp please). If they go for the inside front cover say: "No gracias, solo en la ultima pagina, por favor" (No thank you, only on the last page please).
This means that you got to the Pilgrim Office. But does NOT affect the future useability to apply for a Compostela. I have done this myself.
When someone asks only for a stamp we start with the two-stamp version, UNLESS they are savvy and ask only for the one stamp. I have had pilgrims tell me they had a bus to catch, could not wait, and were going to ask for their Compostela when they were next in Santiago.
Sorry I was not clearer above...
My Spanish is getting oh so much better...
Dunno. Was at the mass at the PO this AM and only about 1/5 of the folks had done the Francés. Most seem to have walked the Portuguese.having just come back from completing the via de la plata from seville,and experiencing the ticket system i am firmly back to winter treks.
i have read lots of articles on the new system and find most people are so entrenched in their views that you just know it is not worth discussing it with them. people come from all over the world and from all walks of life to walk their chosen camino.
take out the over popular french camino and what numbers are left?
could there not be a seperate office/building for the greater numbers,leaving a smaller staff to administer those from smaller,less popular walks?
the camino is a victim of its own success,which the church and santiago has encouraged.pleading that the church makes little money from pilgrims is laughable.the money generated in santiago is enormous and the governing body of santiago should be giving the church a portion of the revenue that is accrued.
the reasons for doing the walks are myriad and yes their is personal satisfaction, but a compostela on the wall,invites interest and when one has passed on,the compostela can be handed down to future generations.
people do plan,but there are many many cases where it is the case of time and tide and one must go .i feel this discussion will flow and flow.last point,surely with the increase year on year someone must have seen the problems that the issuing office now face?
I have just done my fifth year on the Camino, and have noticed a nasty trend with those who run the office for the Compostela, I met a woman on the Portuguese this year who had to argue to get her Compostela last time after doing the entire journey from sjp to sdc, because she missed one stamp, and yet those doing the final 100km have there's no problem. Even though many walk without packs, get dropped off by bus and picked up at stages they wish to avoid etc,, saying they are pilgrims the same as others is wrong, and having surly guards at the office is wrong, surly volunteers who insist on that a missing stamp justifies them turning away a true pilgrim is wrong, making you get a number to return at another time is wrong, allowing those who have done little of the journey certificate then telling the tired pilgrim who comes a bit later that the days alloted amount has been given out to the fresh people walking the last 100 without packs is wrong,. I have 2 Compostela out of 5 pilgrimages, I will not bother with any more because of the disgraceful treatment by these nasty un Camino type people who probably never walked further than the bus stop Intheir miserable lives. Being volunteers does not make them lovely people, when they are just doing it to feel they have some power over others. Thankfully the Camino is about the journey and the great people you meet on it, I will just keep my credentials as reminder of it and photos, the Compostela is not worth the hassle any moreI mentioned this in another post, but it bears repeating. My wife I walked 480 miles from SJPDP to SDC only to be told “we’re closed!” We had a bus reservation for 8:00 am today, so we couldn’t come back.
My wife injured her knees, but still continued on, dutifully collecting her 2 stamps a day & was denied her Compostela, while thousands who started in Sarria waltzed in and received a Compostela. It’s not in the spirit if the Camino to say this, but it just seems wrong.
At any rate, The Camino will always be inside of us.
I have also decided that I no longer want or need a Compostela and I will probably not be adding myself to the queues at the pilgrim office in future. But I cannot agree with your comments on the pilgrim office volunteers. As I understand it it is a prerequisite for serving as a volunteer that you have walked a Camino yourself. The volunteers do not make the rules regarding who does or does not receive a Compostela. That is the cathedral authorities' decision and volunteers simply work as best they can within guidelines set for them. I have my own grounds for dissatisfaction with the current rules and pilgrim office systems but to direct those complaints at the volunteers is misguided and unjust in my opinion.I have 2 Compostela out of 5 pilgrimages, I will not bother with any more because of the disgraceful treatment by these nasty un Camino type people who probably never walked further than the bus stop Intheir miserable lives. Being volunteers does not make them lovely people, when they are just doing it to feel they have some power over others.
I did actually say the people who organise it were at fault, but some of those who work there are surly and seem like council jobsworth types who take pleasure in quoting the book on missing a stamp, and it has been getting worse over the years, like I say not everybody who volunteers is doing so for the right reason, just like not all alburges are run by people with good intent. I feel it is a shame that the getting of the Compostela has become such a negative experience now for many pilgrims, and feel fortunate to have received my 2 at a time before the office threw out the Camino spiritI have also decided that I no longer want or need a Compostela and I will probably not be adding myself to the queues at the pilgrim office in future. But I cannot agree with your comments on the pilgrim office volunteers. As I understand it it is a prerequisite for serving as a volunteer that you have walked a Camino yourself. The volunteers do not make the rules regarding who does or does not receive a Compostela. That is the cathedral authorities' decision and volunteers simply work as best they can within guidelines set for them. I have my own grounds for dissatisfaction with the current rules and pilgrim office systems but to direct those complaints at the volunteers is misguided and unjust in my opinion.
Dave,I had discussed doing this with his mother, Denise, the previous day to make sure it was ok.
Think it has been said by others before, the success of the Camino is more like a “perfect storm” situation than something generated by the Camino itself - an increase in the wealth of the general population world-wide, meaning more people are able to travel further abroad for greater periods of time; the improvement in the health and wellbeing of older people leaving the to look for new challenges beyond the age of retirement; the proliferation of movies, books, television programs and YouTube vloggers promoting the Camino; and finally the Spanish government itself, attempting to revitalise the economy in rural areas. Then all these people show up at the pilgrim office looking for their Compostela and expect a slick organisation that can process a thousand pilgrims a day with speed and ease, when the church was, most likely the last organisation, to be consulted in the whole process. I suspect that the process is probably costing the archdiocese money, rather than it being a source of revenue. I just hope that all the albergues, restaurants, etc., the ones who are really raking it in, are making some sort of contribution to the archdiocese.the camino is a victim of its own success,which the church and santiago has encouraged.pleading that the church makes little money from pilgrims is laughable.the money generated in santiago is enormous and the governing body of santiago should be giving the church a portion of the revenue that is accrued.
I understand your sentiment but I am also reminded of Matthew 20:1-16 and that brings it back home to me. Buen CaminoI mentioned this in another post, but it bears repeating. My wife I walked 480 miles from SJPDP to SDC only to be told “we’re closed!” We had a bus reservation for 8:00 am today, so we couldn’t come back.
My wife injured her knees, but still continued on, dutifully collecting her 2 stamps a day & was denied her Compostela, while thousands who started in Sarria waltzed in and received a Compostela. It’s not in the spirit if the Camino to say this, but it just seems wrong.
At any rate, The Camino will always be inside of us.
I have four or five Compostelas that sit in a drawer in my den and have walked several Caminos without collecting one, after realizing that the paper was not what changed my life or followed me through the days after the Caminos. It was the feelings and the memories, the change in my outlook on life and new values that I cherish. I hope as you go through the next few months, you are able to cherish the experience.I mentioned this in another post, but it bears repeating. My wife I walked 480 miles from SJPDP to SDC only to be told “we’re closed!” We had a bus reservation for 8:00 am today, so we couldn’t come back.
My wife injured her knees, but still continued on, dutifully collecting her 2 stamps a day & was denied her Compostela, while thousands who started in Sarria waltzed in and received a Compostela. It’s not in the spirit if the Camino to say this, but it just seems wrong.
At any rate, The Camino will always be inside of us.
Everybody is different, but I think it is possible to treasure both your camino experiences and a compostela. Actually, I am glad to have both.I have four or five Compostelas that sit in a drawer in my den and have walked several Caminos without collecting one, after realizing that the paper was not what changed my life or followed me through the days after the Caminos. It was the feelings and the memories, the change in my outlook on life and new values that I cherish. I hope as you go through the next few months, you are able to cherish the experience.
I agree. I have no problem with their right to decide who should or should not receive a Compostela. Those rules do not define whether I am a pilgrim or not. My own understanding of "pilgrimage" is now so far removed from that of the cathedral authorities that for me personally the Compostela has become an irrelevance and I certainly do not intend to tailor my journeys simply to comply with their increasingly arbitrary rules.Those who do not like the rules for compostelas should consider not getting one.
Never meant to say it wasn't nice to have one, if it is possible, just saying the memories and the experience had a greater value to me. Everybody has their own value system.Everybody is different, but I think it is possible to treasure both your camino experiences and a compostela. Actually, I am glad to have both.
Also yesterday’s gospel; Luke 17, 5-10. There is no reason to expect a pat on the back for any of our accomplishments.I understand your sentiment but I am also reminded of Matthew 20:1-16 and that brings it back home to me. Buen Camino
I just want to say the same things. I have two days extra in Santiago, because I was not sure when I would reach the final.We are seeing a number of these reports, not just on this forum. I do think people need to be aware of the problem and give themselves a few extra days in Santiago, if getting the Compostela is important.
Thanks William – that’s a great idea!Unfortunately you have left by now. Almost immediate to the Pilgrim Office the Church of Saint Francis has beautiful printed, dated, signed blessings for donation.
These are lovely posts. I, too, hear the disappointment in post, but I also hear from most of you seasoned folks that this truly doesn’t make much difference in the end. These are good thoughts for me to keep in mind.Congratulations on finishing the Camino and especially to your wife for completing it despite her injuries. Well done. That must have been an effort to her and to you for the extra care and support she must have needed and you provided. In hindsight it must in its own peculiar way be wonderful to have such a personal and close experience with your wife. You got through it together!
So personally I hope that mutual and hopefully bonding experience, the Camino with everything it brings, the many people you met for better and worse, the beautiful nature and the everywhere present Camino spirit will be your lasting impression and inspiration.
Not the piece of paper you didn't get. I have two of them. My intention was to frame them and hang them somewhere on my wall. They are still in their containers......they mean very little to me compared to the happy memories I have from my Caminos
Though I fully understand and sympathise with your disappointment then in my opinion it's not about a piece of paper. Its what you got out of the Camino spiritually and mentally.
(Hope I'm not too much of a "clever having found the truth irritatingly wise something" here....).
I hear not just disappointment in your post but also GREAT LOVE FOR YOUR WIFE!! This is lovely and the bond you shared, as someone else mentioned, is so much more important. Nobody seems to care that much about the Compostela (which is easier to do when you have one, I get it). I think I’d be more interested in framing the pilgrim passport with the stamps than the more generic Compostela. Remind your daring wife, it is always the journey not the destination. Congratulations to you and your wife. Thank you for posting this twice to advise those of us just starting out. We may just skip the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago. It is sounding like something that could hurt rather than enhance the experience. Perhaps the volunteers wouldn’t mind not seeing usI mentioned this in another post, but it bears repeating. My wife I walked 480 miles from SJPDP to SDC only to be told “we’re closed!” We had a bus reservation for 8:00 am today, so we couldn’t come back.
My wife injured her knees, but still continued on, dutifully collecting her 2 stamps a day & was denied her Compostela, while thousands who started in Sarria waltzed in and received a Compostela. It’s not in the spirit if the Camino to say this, but it just seems wrong.
At any rate, The Camino will always be inside of us.
I have done 11 Caminos I do not get Compostelas any longer. But I sense the frustration of this couple. In 2010 I did the Camino Norte faithfully with a friend, he and hundreds received a Compostela and I was denied one because I said I did it as non a religious pilgrimage. I am religious and a priest in that lineup with my friend who doesn't practice his faith and lied as did many that day who were smoking pot and yes we could smell I was denied. They gave me a piece of paper that I had completed the Camino. I protested to a woman in charge and she treated me as if I was a pagan that woman was a witch the way she treated me . Well I told here I didn't need the piece of paper and tore it up and laid it on the pile of walking sticks which people left; this was in the old place where you got the Compostelas and left and went to dinner and now they can keep their Compostelas. This is a fact that is well know in not telling the office you are doing it as non religious and you will get your your Compostela. I don't lie and therefore was refused a Compostela although I am a religious person.We are seeing a number of these reports, not just on this forum. I do think people need to be aware of the problem and give themselves a few extra days in Santiago, if getting the Compostela is important.
I have done 11 Caminos I do not get Compostelas any longer. But I sense the frustration of this couple. In 2010 I did the Camino Norte faithfully with a friend, he and hundreds received a Compostela and I was denied one because I said I did it as non a religious pilgrimage. I am religious and a priest in that lineup with my friend who doesn't practice his faith and lied as did many that day who were smoking pot and yes we could smell I was denied. They gave me a piece of paper that I had completed the Camino. I protested to a woman in charge and she treated me as if I was a pagan that woman was a witch the way she treated me . Well I told here I didn't need the piece of paper and tore it up and laid it on the pile of walking sticks which people left; this was in the old place where you got the Compostelas and left and went to dinner and now they can keep their Compostelas. This is a fact that is well know in not telling the office you are doing it as non religious and you will get your your Compostela. I don't lie and therefore was refused a Compostela although I am a religious person.
We had our Compostellas stolen on our way home and the Pilgrim Office re-issued them by post....I recall a possibility of obtaining a Compostella by postal application. This may be a wish-memory but might merit investigation.
But you didn't do it for religious or spiritual reasons. So, on that occasion, you didn't do The Camino de Santiago. You did A camino to Santiago. And it sounds like the office was nice enough to acknowledge your achievement... Children who complete the Camino and don't understand the significance of the pilgrimage cannot receive the Compostela either.They gave me a piece of paper that I had completed the Camino. I protested to a woman in charge and she treated me as if I was a pagan that woman was a witch the way she treated me . Well I told here I didn't need the piece of paper and tore it up and laid it on the pile of walking sticks which people left; this was in the old place where you got the Compostelas and left and went to dinner and now they can keep their Compostelas. This is a fact that is well know in not telling the office you are doing it as non religious and you will get your your Compostela. I don't lie and therefore was refused a Compostela although I am a religious person.
Did you get your Compostela since? If not, maybe it would be a nice trip sometime to go to Santiago, pick up your Compostela, and do Finnesterre while you're at it.Hello! I am the original poster of the infamous we-didn't-get-our-compestella post. I didn't expect to see it resurrected after 2 years, but I think the sentiments expressed in my post struck a sour chord in what should have been (if there truly are any shoulds) a beautiful symphony of growth and experience that I did not fully appreciate at the time. Not only did I distill a since unparalleled spiritual experience into a whiny complaint about not getting a material thing--a piece of paper, after all--I did that complaining on behalf of my wife who is very capable of taking care of herself, thank you very much, she will tell you. The compestella is a fine document, but it does not begin to tell the tale of our journey, that to each pilgrim is a precious and unique thing. I feel ashamed, now, looking back, to have been the author of that post. The long days of walking, the Spanish people and villages, the cathedrals, the friends we made, the sense of spirit and joy simply walking for hours each day provided us, cannot be replaced by a piece of paper.
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