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Questions for currently serving or just served Pilgrim Office volunteers...

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t2andreo

Veteran Member
Time of past OR future Camino
2013 - 2018 , Pilgrim Office volunteer 2014 - 2022
Hey there!

I leave in one week (7 July) to fly to Santiago to start my annual one-month volunteer stint on 9 July. Currently, I am arranging and packing stuff that I learned over the years that will make my time there better.

In that vein, I have a few questions that only someone who is working there NOW or who just finished working there may know the answer to. Some of these issues may seem trite, but I have reasons...

Thank you in advance for your answers and help.

Questions:

PILGRIM OFFICE

1. There is a coffee machine in the administrative office, near the refrigerator and snack area. Can anyone tell me definitely, if the machine uses ground coffee or Keurig cups? I intend to bring some coffee from home (the local warehouse club is cheapest), for the staff and volunteers, that cannot be bought in Spain. Need to know what kind to bring...

VOLUNTEER FLAT

This is my fifth year as a volunteer in the Pilgrim Office, but the first year I will be staying at the convent vicarage...

1. I know there is a new washing machine in the flat. They installed it last August when I was shown the 'to be' volunteer flat. Did they make provision for drying clothes? Are there drying frames in the rooms, or the huge common salon? Alternatively did someone figure out how to string a clothes drying line somewhere? Need to know what to plan for. I regularly bring supplies to string a clothes line if needed. But, I do not want to bring stuff I will not need.

2. I know the two kitchens are 'fully equipped,' but are there coffee makers? What kind? I need fresh brewed coffee in the morning! Can anyone tell me definitely, if the machine(s) use ground coffee or Keurig cups? I intend to bring some coffee from here, to share with the volunteers, that cannot be bought in Spain...:)

3. Did they save the circulating fans I have been buying for the past four years and 'donating' after a month? If yes, how many are in the flat. Ideally, there should be one per bedroom. I can easily buy another. Just need to know what to anticipate.

4. Are volunteers still being assigned solo rooms, or are they doubling up? I snore...need to know if I must pack a supply of industrial grade earplugs for a roommate. If there are more volunteers than bed space at the flat, where is the 'overflow' being housed? Last year, they put me up in a pilgrim room at San Martin Pinario, and it worked for me.

Feel free to open a private conversation to reply to me. Include a direct e-mail if you are comfortable doing so. I might have other questions best not asked in the open forum. But, this is the best way to find someone who can answer my questions.

Any other comments you would like to offer regarding life at the office, or the flat, are welcomed and will be kept in confidence. I am merely trying to gather advance intelligence so I can be more effective when I get there.

Thanks again
 
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Tom, kia ora (greetings)

From the other side of the counter, and in response
to my experience on arrival last year.

I presented myself about 6 pm. And I guess those
on the other side of the counter were having a long
day.

I had walked from Le Puy, with a 17 month pause
between stopping and restarting at Estella, the
result of suffering pulled muscles in the descent
from Alto del Perdon..

I was, I hope naturally, focussed on the entire
journey and why I had the pause.

The staff person seemed to ignore all that and
cut to the chase with "did you walk all the way
from Sarria" (or some variation).

I understand fully the Compostellana is awarded
on that condition.

In addition to following rules I also understand the
Church also has a pastoral aspect. Some would
say faith with mercy and compassion.

So, Tom, after that rant I hope your training includes
not only the rules but also compassion .

Kia kaha (take care, be strong)
 
Hey there!

I leave in one week (7 July) to fly to Santiago to start my annual one-month volunteer stint on 9 July. Currently, I am arranging and packing stuff that I learned over the years that will make my time there better.

In that vein, I have a few questions that only someone who is working there NOW or who just finished working there may know the answer to. Some of these issues may seem trite, but I have reasons...

Thank you in advance for your answers and help.

Questions:

PILGRIM OFFICE

1. There is a coffee machine in the administrative office, near the refrigerator and snack area. Can anyone tell me definitely, if the machine uses ground coffee or Keurig cups? I intend to bring some coffee from home (the local warehouse club is cheapest), for the staff and volunteers, that cannot be bought in Spain. Need to know what kind to bring...

VOLUNTEER FLAT

This is my fifth year as a volunteer in the Pilgrim Office, but the first year I will be staying at the convent vicarage...

1. I know there is a new washing machine in the flat. They installed it last August when I was shown the 'to be' volunteer flat. Did they make provision for drying clothes? Are there drying frames in the rooms, or the huge common salon? Alternatively did someone figure out how to string a clothes drying line somewhere? Need to know what to plan for. I regularly bring supplies to string a clothes line if needed. But, I do not want to bring stuff I will not need.

2. I know the two kitchens are 'fully equipped,' but are there coffee makers? What kind? I need fresh brewed coffee in the morning! Can anyone tell me definitely, if the machine(s) use ground coffee or Keurig cups? I intend to bring some coffee from here, to share with the volunteers, that cannot be bought in Spain...:)

3. Did they save the circulating fans I have been buying for the past four years and 'donating' after a month? If yes, how many are in the flat. Ideally, there should be one per bedroom. I can easily buy another. Just need to know what to anticipate.

4. Are volunteers still being assigned solo rooms, or are they doubling up? I snore...need to know if I must pack a supply of industrial grade earplugs for a roommate. If there are more volunteers than bed space at the flat, where is the 'overflow' being housed? Last year, they put me up in a pilgrim room at San Martin Pinario, and it worked for me.

Feel free to open a private conversation to reply to me. Include a direct e-mail if you are comfortable doing so. I might have other questions best not asked in the open forum. But, this is the best way to find someone who can answer my questions.

Any other comments you would like to offer regarding life at the office, or the flat, are welcomed and will be kept in confidence. I am merely trying to gather advance intelligence so I can be more effective when I get there.

Thanks again
Washing machine also dries if you can figure how to use it based on the pictorals on the dials. My clothes came out mostly dry anyway. It runs forever as I mentioned in my blurb of a couple weeks ago, so it might be good to arrange to combine a small load with someone else’s small load, or you will have a two to three hour wait. My room had only one bed. Some (maybe all?) of the others were twins, but only occupied by one person. Don’t remember seeing any fans. I had the heater going most of the time and used IT to drape sink washes on (t-shirt, underwear, socks). Not a coffee drinker so can’t address that issue.
 
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€149,-
In this expert thread.... does anyone know if one can manage to stop to eat in Valcarlos mid-day on a Sunday. Dear husband will arrive in St JPDP VERY EARLY on a Sunday morning, plans to get his credenciale stamped and then head off, perhaps only as far as Valcarlos— but maybe the village is closed for business on a Sunday.
Expert answer???
 
In this expert thread.... does anyone know if one can manage to stop to eat in Valcarlos mid-day on a Sunday. Dear husband will arrive in St JPDP VERY EARLY on a Sunday morning, plans to get his credenciale stamped and then head off, perhaps only as far as Valcarlos— but maybe the village is closed for business on a Sunday.
Expert answer???
Ahem, this question hardly fits into this thread. Maybe you should start new thread with that specific question?
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Ahem, this question hardly fits into this thread. Maybe you should start new thread with that specific question?
Ahem. SJPDP is the only town immediately prior to Valcarlos with a set of potential experts.
My question is not about the *topic* but about the wish to address those charitable folk who wish to help and who may have more recent information than that of pilgrim who were last in Valcarlose a year or more ago.
Thanks.
 
Ahem. SJPDP is the only town immediately prior to Valcarlos with a set of potential experts.
My question is not about the *topic* but about the wish to address those charitable folk who wish to help and who may have more recent information than that of pilgrim who were last in Valcarlose a year or more ago.
Thanks.
True.
But the OP was about Pilgrim Office volunteers premises in SANTIAGO and not in SJPdP ;)

If you start a new thread with specified title you'll get a lot of "experts"'s responses in no time.
 
My mistake, I was thinking OP was in SJPDP.
I will go be a bothersome jerk elsewhere.
 
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My mistake, I was thinking OP was in SJPDP.
I will go be a bothersome jerk elsewhere.
Many will know the answer and there is also a lady on this forum who is the head of Pilgrim Office in SJPdP but unfortunately I can't remember her nickname right now.
Wish your hubby luck with Sunday lunch/supper in Valcarlos but the albergue will be definitely opened.
 
Bill, you can close or delete this thread. I am leaving tomorrow from MIA to SCQ. The purpose of the thread is accomplished.

Thanks

Tom
 
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
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