Sarria to Santiago credentials?

[Molly1234]

Hello everyone!
I'm going to be walking from Sarria to Santiago soon. Unfortunately, I have not trained as much as I would have liked and will probably take a bus here and there along the way. I'm just wondering if you can still get a compostela at the end if you don't walk the entire way from Sarria but have gathered the required amount of stamps?

 

[whariwharangi]

No you can't get a Compostela if you don't walk the entire 100km.

Sure, you could try to scam your way by collecting the required amount of stamps. You would only have to look yourself in the mirror ever after and see a liar.

Here is office of pilgrims Santiago. See the bit about Compostela.
http://oficinadelperegrino.com/en/

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

Hello everyone!
I'm going to be walking from Sarria to Santiago soon. Unfortunately, I have not trained as much as I would have liked and will probably take a bus here and there along the way. I'm just wondering if you can still get a compostela at the end if you don't walk the entire way from Sarria but have gathered the required amount of stamps?

You'll get one if don't walk at all and have the stamps.

But, doing this would kind of defeat the purpose of the Compostela, wouldn't it?

In any case, enjoy what you do walk and buen Camino

 

[MTtoCamino]

Take it slow, stop when you get tired, pick up the next day this is no competition. Just enjoy yourself you will be suprised how well you can do this. People around you will encourage you.

As in all parts of life you may run into the negative people, just move on.

 

[Mark Lee]

Why would you want to do that? I mean why would you want a compostela if you didn't walk at least 100 km?
I understand to many it's just a sheet of paper, but I guess there's still that measure of integrity we all have (hopefully) inside of us, even if it's just about a sheet of paper.
Besides, it's only 100 km. Even if you don't prepare for it, in all likelihood you can actually walk it. I would say at least try to.

 

[AlwynWellington]

I'm just wondering ...

Ama Deum et fac quod vis = Love God and do what you want. Augustine of Hippo, from a homily of the first letter of John. (1)

And in his letter, John asserts God is love.

As many contributors say, it is your camino.

My understanding is if you have at least one stamp a day from your start point and at least two stamps a day for the last 100 km before arrival at SdC, then you can apply for a Compostella.

To cite the words of the current Bishop of Rome (albeit, in relation to some other aspect of the human condition) "It is not for me to judge."

Only you know your circumstances and only you can judge what is right for you.

For my part I hope you enjoy your camino, and feel encouraged to return for another.

Kia kaha (be brave, have courage, get going)



(1) retrieved on 3 Sep 2016 @ 15h16 NZST from https://wedgewords.wordpress.com/2011/01/03/love-god-and-do-what-you-please/

 

[SYates]

Even untrained the way isn't difficult to walk provided that you don't have any mayor chronic health issues or the like. Also there is enough accommodation so that you can create shorter stages if need be. In the pilgrims office they will normally ask you if you walked all the way (from Sarria) or not, what you answer to that question is up to your personal integrity/honesty. Buen Camino, SY

 

[jmcarp]

Even untrained the way isn't difficult to walk provided that you don't have any mayor chronic health issues or the like. Also there is enough accommodation so that you can create shorter stages if need be. In the pilgrims office they will normally ask you if you walked all the way (from Sarria) or not, what you answer to that question is up to your personal integrity/honesty. Buen Camino, SY

One alternative that I haven't seen mentioned in the discussion of the ethics of walking vs. riding a bus or a cab during the last 100 km is having one's backpack transported. Since it is often the weight of the backpack that affects someone who has not sufficiently trained more than just the distance walked, taking the backpack out of the equation may be the best solution for the OP. Of course she should still take a lighter daypack with snacks, rainwear, and passport, phone or camera, etc.

 

[Bala]

Direct quote from the Pilgrim Office website (their boldface):

To get the “Compostela” you must:

• Make the pilgrimage for religious or spiritual reasons, or at least an attitude of search.
• Do the last 100 km on foot or horseback, or the last 200 km by bicycle. It is understood that the pilgrimage starts at one point and from there you come to visit the Tomb of St. James.
• You must collect the stamps on the “Credencial del Peregrino” from the places you pass through to certify that you have been there.