Shell for backpack

[vwzoo]

I walked the Camino Francis in 2018 and I got a shell for my backpack in St Jean Pied de Porte at the Pilgrim office. My sister and I are walking the Camino Ingles starting in Ferrol on March 13th. Is there a place in Ferrol to get a shell to hang on our backpacks? Thanks

 

[André Walker]

You could probably find them in the tourist shops. Or go to your local fishmongers and get a couple prior to your Camino.

 

[Kathy F.]

I waited until l finished my Camino before I got my shell. I figured there would be no doubt in anyone's mind that I was a pilgrim and not a tourist, so I didn't need one to identify myself. And I waited until I finished because I needed to feel that I had earned it - you know, the legend that a pilgrim would get a shell when they finally arrived at the end of the earth to prove they had walked the whole way. . . and then start walking back home again!

 

[vwzoo]

I waited until l finished my Camino before I got my shell. I figured there would be no doubt in anyone's mind that I was a pilgrim and not a tourist, so I didn't need one to identify myself. And I waited until I finished because I needed to feel that I had earned it - you know, the legend that a pilgrim would get a shell when they finally arrived at the end of the earth to prove they had walked the whole way. . . and then start walking back home again!

 

[vwzoo]

I certainly understand that. When I got off the train in St Jean and went to the office that gave me information on the Camino, lists of albergues etc there was a big basket of the shells you could pick one out and leave a donation. I had never done this and so I thought that's how it's done. Everyone leaving St Jean from what I saw had shells as well. Some like the natural one I got at the office and some white with the red St James symbol on it. I still have mine, but my sister this is her first time and I wondered if Ferrol was St. Jean was there a place should get one.

 

[MikeC]

I walked the Camino Francis in 2018 and I got a shell for my backpack in St Jean Pied de Porte at the Pilgrim office. My sister and I are walking the Camino Ingles starting in Ferrol on March 13th. Is there a place in Ferrol to get a shell to hang on our backpacks? Thanks

In 2018 there were many shells left out for pilgrims to take away with them at the Monesterio St Martino de Couto in Ferrol, which is about 5 miles into the first days walk and right by the Camino path.

 

[SheSeeksTheWay]

I am leaving for my first Camino this March-April. Prior to that I will be attending my local chapter's Shell Ceremony. "At the ceremony new pilgrims will be presented with a scallop shell to wear on their backpack, identifying them to all they meet as fellow pilgrims. "

Peace,
SSTW

 

[Desert Bruce]

I bought a shell in Burgos on my first Camino in Sept 2016, but managed to break it almost as soon as I attached it to my backpack. I left the shard hanging from the red string all the way to Santiago. I bought another in Finisterre that made it safely home. I now have a non-breakable shell patch on my backpack.

 

[Desert Bruce]

I am leaving for my first Camino this March-April. Prior to that I will be attending my local chapter's Shell Ceremony. "At the ceremony new pilgrims will be presented with a scallop shell to wear on their backpack, identifying them to all they meet as fellow pilgrims. "

Peace,
SSTW

SSTW what is your local chapter?

 

[trecile]

SSTW what is your local chapter?

Here's the list of local chapters of American Pilgrims on the Camino. It looks like the Southern California (I know, a very huge area) would be closest to you.

Local Chapters - American Pilgrims on the Camino

If you are seeking information about COVID-19 or the situation in Spain, please see the COVID-19: What You Should Know page. Our local chapter coordinators continue to consult state and local public health authorities for current guidance and recommended COVID-19 precautions in their area...

americanpilgrims.org

 

[Desert Bruce]

Here's the list of local chapters of American Pilgrims on the Camino. It looks like the Southern California (I know, a very huge area) would be closest to you.

Local Chapters - American Pilgrims on the Camino

If you are seeking information about COVID-19 or the situation in Spain, please see the COVID-19: What You Should Know page. Our local chapter coordinators continue to consult state and local public health authorities for current guidance and recommended COVID-19 precautions in their area...

americanpilgrims.org

Yes it is. We are starting spin off chapters because the LA chapter has become large in both members and area. I asked wondering if that might be your chapter.

 

[Juspassinthru]

When I was in Ferrol to begin my CI in June, I got my stamp at the Con-Cathedral (door to office on the right behind the alter), I noticed that they had both credentials and a couple shells for a donation. I can’t say if they always have them though.

 

[Kathy F.]

I am leaving for my first Camino this March-April. Prior to that I will be attending my local chapter's Shell Ceremony. "At the ceremony new pilgrims will be presented with a scallop shell to wear on their backpack, identifying them to all they meet as fellow pilgrims. "

Peace,
SSTW

I can understand that. A shell is the most logical thing to present to a person as they "graduate" to pilgrim. Nevertheless, I will stick to my personal tradition to wait until I have finished and have earned it (in my own mind). No one will mistake you for anything other than a pilgrim, with or without a shell, trust me.

 

[Kathy F.]

I got my first shell at Finisterre. I had stopped at a seafood cafe to get lunch. The waitress saw me and offered me a couple of the shells they were discarding from their food prep. Large, clean, no hole conveniently punched in the top for hanging, no symbol printed on them, a plain ol' shell from the ocean. I treasure them to this day. As I have written earlier in this thread, I wait until I have finished my Camino to pick up my shell - the legend, the idea of earning it, etc.

 

[SYates]

Easiest way to get one: Order one in a restaurant/tapas bar, eat it and keep shell ;-)
BC SY

 

[Saranger]

I walked the Camino Francis in 2018 and I got a shell for my backpack in St Jean Pied de Porte at the Pilgrim office. My sister and I are walking the Camino Ingles starting in Ferrol on March 13th. Is there a place in Ferrol to get a shell to hang on our backpacks? Thanks

When I walked from Ferris in May 2019 there were maybe two souvenir shops selling overpriced (€5) shells. I'd heard on a podcast there was a self-service shell stand that operates on a donativo basis some kilometers outside of Ferrol.

Sure enough, an hour or two outside town we came across a display of shells on cords hanging off a signboard above a locked cash box. No suggested donation posted, give what you want. Two styles on offer: traditional plain shell with Cross of St. James and a secular shell painted blue with a yellow arrow. Both were on a silk cord.

I left a few Euros in the box, chose the shell I liked best, tied it to my backpack and continued down the path.

I believe I saw at least one (maybe two) more stands like this along the Ingles.
Another lovely thing we saw were the impromptu refreshment stations set up by locals in strategic locations, offering a few chairs or a bench, some juice, cookies, a trash can, and even a guest book, with a secure cash box mounted nearby. Prices not posted, give what you can or think is fair.

Nice way to support the locals who are providing anonymous comfort to pilgrims on a Camino whose infrastructure is still developing or lacking in some areas.

 

[vwzoo]

When I walked from Ferris in May 2019 there were maybe two souvenir shops selling overpriced (€5) shells. I'd heard on a podcast there was a self-service shell stand that operates on a donativo basis some kilometers outside of Ferrol.

Sure enough, an hour or two outside town we came across a display of shells on cords hanging off a signboard above a locked cash box. No suggested donation posted, give what you want. Two styles on offer: traditional plain shell with Cross of St. James and a secular shell painted blue with a yellow arrow. Both were on a silk cord.

I left a few Euros in the box, chose the shell I liked best, tied it to my backpack and continued down the path.

I believe I saw at least one (maybe two) more stands like this along the Ingles.
Another lovely thing we saw were the impromptu refreshment stations set up by locals in strategic locations, offering a few chairs or a bench, some juice, cookies, a trash can, and even a guest book, with a secure cash box mounted nearby. Prices not posted, give what you can or think is fair.

Nice way to support the locals who are providing anonymous comfort to pilgrims on a Camino whose infrastructure is still developing or lacking in some areas.

Thank you

 

[SheSeeksTheWay]

SSTW what is your local chapter?

Mid-Atlantic Chapter, I live in Maryland.