The cathedral has opened a new consigna which offers a wide range of services - consigna, bicycle return, free computers and boarding pass printing service. It is located at number 15 Rua do Vila adjacent to the Pilgrims´Office.
The new consigna seems to offer a good range of services.
I especially like the offer of free computers as I am currently looking for something new to replace my old model !
I have some questions. Maybe you (or someone on this forum can help).
Before depositing my bag, is there something like a sit-down area where I can sort out my gear and decide what I may need for the day and maybe change out of my boots into something more comfortable without holding up the queue?
Having deposited my backpack in the morning, how easy is it to return later and take out or leave some extra clothing if , say, the weather changes in the day? Does that incur cost to take out my bag and then return it?
How flexible are the charges? I read that a backpack is 2 euro. How much would it cost for a backpack and a shopping bag of presents (T-shirts and Tarta de Santiago)? The Amigos that were running the old consigna would simply have let that all in for 2 euro.
Can I leave my bicycle in the courtyard of the Pilgrims Office whilst I queue and collect my Compostela or must I absolutely now leave it at the new consigna?
Is it true that backpacks are no longer allowed in the Cathedral and that this is why there is the new extended facility? Probably simply to make money, I fear. Have to say that part of my Camino experience was actually arriving in Santiago and visiting the cathedral with my pack on my back that I had carried all the way along the Camino Francés and giving a prayer of thanks for safe arrival.
Is the new consigna now run on a strickly commercial basis with paid staff or is it operated by those very helpful volunteer Amigo people in the blue T-shirts?