geraldkelly
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Perhaps useful to indicate the year when this happened. The procedure for free meals at the Parador in Santiago has repeatedly changed over time. I guess @geraldkelly is primarily interested in what the procedure is right now at the end of 2021.I had the privilige of enjoying a pilgrim’s meal at the Parador twice. Both times by being one of the first ten pelgrims standing in line at the servants entrance (not sure if that’s what it’s called).
I was the 11th pilgrim once, on my 2005.I had the privilige of enjoying a pilgrim’s meal at the Parador twice. Both times by being one of the first ten pelgrims standing in line at the servants entrance (not sure if that’s what it’s called).
Thanks for the clarification! I thought you meant you were the first turned away!To clarify for C clearly -- I was the 11th pilgrim to get the pilgrim dinner once.
I was once one of the first ten pilgrims. An eleventh showed up and I gave him my place as I had already enjoyed the experience. Glad you were able to get in.I was the 11th pilgrim once, on my 2005.
Not me.I was once one of the first ten pilgrims. An eleventh showed up and I gave him my place as I had already enjoyed the experience. Glad you were able to get in.
I asked about this when I was there in November. The hotel said they stopped pilgrim meals because of the COVID. They give pilgrim discount,15% off. Would I recommend it? No, the room was not worth the price I paid. Especially, the first room they tried to give me had a "wall view". When I opened the window, I could almost touch the wall of the next building with my nose. I complained and got a better room, roof view this time.Hi!
I have a question about the pilgrim meals in the Parador in Santiago.
I know that pre-Covid the first pilgrims to arrive at the Pilgrims Office in the morning to get a Compostela were offered a voucher for these meals.
Does anyone know how this happens now? Or has it been discontinued completely?
Thanks for your help!
Gerald
I think you have to ask, because we were one of the first in the Pilgrim's office and did not get a ticket.Good question @geraldkelly. I haven't heard of any pilgrim meals for the time being, either.
I do know that earlier this year the first few pilgrims in line at the Pilgrim's Office were given a ticket to the noon Pilgrim's Mass. We'll see if that continues this year.
I think you have to ask, because we were one of the first in the Pilgrim's office and did not get a ticket.
We've had this discussion a few times already - who should or should not receive one of the ten daily free meals offered by a luxury hotel in Santiago that was once a hospital cum albergue for pilgrims, and an orphanage for local orphans.I would hope that those pilgrims who are really in need could receive the free meal, and the rest of us, who might arrive early enough to qualfy, would forego the meal to allow a really needy pilgrim to get it.
The menú either is intended to make the pilgrim feel that he or she is still on the camino eating lentejas in communal dinners, or to show that even the humble lenteja can make it onto the parador’s menú, at least if it is spiced up with chipirones.Here we are - Parador of Santiago, Enxebre restaurant. And I think you even get a discount when you present your credential (yes, credential, not Compostela). -15%, is it? €17 only?
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It was a long time ago - 2010 and we waited by what looked like a garage door, at the top of Costa do Cristo leading from Praza do Obradoiro. There were 5 of us. A door opened at midday and we were invited into an 'office' and our passports and Compostelas were checked. We then were led through an underground garage, up some stairs and were shown a small room with a table overlooking a small courtyard. It was explained that we were to eat there and then we were led to the kitchens where at an open hatch our trays were filled with three courses and a large wine. It was explained that if we wanted a wine refill that we were just to come back. So it was that a Frenchman, a Spaniard, a German, a Korean and me; a Scot, enjoyed a lovely meal and chat with much laughter. The Korean had already had had his breakfast there that morning and was coming back later for his dinner. A great time. I was back in October 2019 but it is no longer organised the same way I am led to believe. I did have a Pilgrim's meal in a restaurant called Enxerbe which was, if I remember, near where the garage once was. Is that how things are organised now? It wasn't the same experience I am afraid. (Photo: The Spaniard had still to arrive ..)I had the privilige of enjoying a pilgrim’s meal at the Parador twice. Both times by being one of the first ten pelgrims standing in line at the servants entrance (not sure if that’s what it’s called). I hadn’t received a voucher at the pilgrim’s office.
There was a staff member of the Parador that checked my Compostela (not being older than 3 days).
That was it.
Pretty much what I remember from summer 1990 in terms of organization. But in my case I was the only pilgrim eating in what looked like a dark and grim dungeon. Not that unusual then with very small numbers arriving even in summer. The food was plentiful but not very inspiring - fairly obviously the hotel staff meal of the day. Served almost without comment and with no very warm welcome. Although at that time I was entitled to 3 free meals per day for 3 days it was such a soulless experience that I didn't return. Too many more attractive options in town!A great time. I was back in October 2019 but it is no longer organised the same way I am led to believe.
I must have been lucky then. Both the staff and the company were very nice; the latter exceptionally so. We had a great time, despite the language problem. The German and French guy were good English speakers, the Korean and Spaniard not at all, myself - when I tryPretty much what I remember from summer 1990 in terms of organization. But in my case I was the only pilgrim eating in what looked like a dark and grim dungeon. Not that unusual then with very small numbers arriving even in summer. The food was plentiful but not very inspiring - fairly obviously the hotel staff meal of the day. Served almost without comment and with no very warm welcome. Although at that time I was entitled to 3 free meals per day for 3 days it was such a soulless experience that I didn't return. Too many more attractive options in town!
From the website of the Pilgrims Office (translated from Spanish):Or has it been discontinued completely?
From the website of the Pilgrims Office (translated from Spanish):
Starting on Monday, 4 April 2022, the tradition of offering a free meal every day to 10 pilgrims at the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos will be taken up again. This continues an old custom, linked to the origin of the building, erected in the sixteenth century as a pilgrims' hospital, by order of the royal rulers Isabella and Ferdinand. The Cathedral of Santiago is grateful for the initiative of the hotel, which belongs to the Paradores de Turismo group, and especially to its director, Mr Santiago Carrera. The tickets to enjoy the gift will be distributed at the Pilgrim's Office.
Here you are:a link to the original
Hello everyone, i arrived at Santiago yesterday, went to the pilgrims’ mass straightaway and got my credentials afterwards. Then read about the lunch and went this morning to the office to be one of the ten. I was first in line but I honestly told them that I got my credentials yesterday they did not give me a voucher. So it is worth bearing this in mind. Otherwise now indeed they are handing out a paper voucher to the first ten of the morning as you enter the office.Here you are:
El Hostal dos Reis Católicos retoma la tradición de ofrecer comida gratuita a los peregrinos | Oficina del Peregrino. Santiago de Compostela
A partir del próximo lunes 4 de abril se recupera la tradición de ofrecer cada día comida gratis a 10 peregrinos, en el Hostal de los Reyes Católicos. Se continúa así una antigua costumbre, vinculada al origen del edificio, levantado en el siglo XVI como hospital de peregrinos, por orden de los...oficinadelperegrino.com
You can also see this information on the main page http://oficinadelperegrino.com when you scroll down.
I think what you are saying is that you cannot queue in the morning for a voucher for a meal at the Parador when you got your Compostela or other certificate the day before?Hello everyone, i arrived at Santiago yesterday, went to the pilgrims’ mass straightaway and got my credentials afterwards. Then read about the lunch and went this morning to the office to be one of the ten. I was first in line but I honestly told them that I got my credentials yesterday they did not give me a voucher. So it is worth bearing this in mind. Otherwise now indeed they are handing out a paper voucher to the first ten of the morning as you enter the office.
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