Non-religious advantages to compostela

k-fun said:

Are there any non-religious advantages to Spaniards who receive the Compostela? I once heard that those with the Compostela were given preferences in employment similar to those in the US having completed military duty. Is that correct? Are there other advantages?

Just trying to understand the strong Spanish influx in the last 100 km.

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100km is the min you have to walk to get the compostela, most parishes in spain organise pilgrimages to SdC.

Most spaniards that I know who did the camino, did it for religous reasons

k-fun said:

Are there any non-religious advantages to Spaniards who receive the Compostela? I once heard that those with the Compostela were given preferences in employment similar to those in the US having completed military duty. Is that correct? Are there other advantages?Just trying to understand the strong Spanish influx in the last 100 km.

Click to expand...

I've never heard of this and I suspect it is not the case. Walking the camino to Santiago is something which lies deep in the consciousness of Spanish people. So too is the concept of the "vow" or "promise" - some would term it undiluted superstition others might call it genuine faith but many Spanish pilgrims report that they have walked to fulfil a "promesa". I wrote more about this here:

http://johnniewalker-santiago.blogspot. ... unite.html

Compostelas don't get jobs more easily, cheaper flights, discounts on the railways - and as far as the free meal at the Parador is concerned that's restricted to the first 10 in the queue!

Regards

John