the shell

[garenin7]

forgive me if my question appears obvious...regarding the shell seen attached to rucksacks etc.is this purchased at the start of the camino,st-jean-pied-de-port,or is the shell just brought from a supermarket and attached.

I was wondering if perhaps the shell had to be collected at the start for some reason...

Thank you in advance.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Traditionally I've heard the shell was picked up at the end of the pilgrimage. Today you can buy one in nearly any camino town.

 

[micbook]

You can do as you please. If you're starting in SJPP, you can get a shell for a small donation at the pilgrims office. If you prefer to bring/buy one before arriving in Saint Jean or if you have a special shell you wish to take, you can do that, too. As Anniesantiago mentioned, you can also pick one up (and anything else you may need) along the way as almost any town on the Camino Frances will have at least one small pilgrims store...

Buen Camino!
Michal
--
http://michalrinkevich.wordpress.com/tag/camino-de-santiago/

 

[tyrrek]

I got a tapa in Pamplona that was served on a scallop shell. I asked the bar tender if I could keep it as I had someone in mind to send it to. She was more than happy and even cleaned it before giving it to me. The shell on my backpack came from the pilgrim office in SJPP, though.

I'm sure if you went to your local market you'd get one (probably free).

Buen Camino!

 

[mralisn]

I have been blessed to simply been handed a shell on both the Camino Frances and Camino Norte without request. Both were near the beginning. I didn't display either one. I wrapped both in my bandana and didn't unwrap until I walked into my home here in California. Both are part of my "Camino Wall". I hope to do the same this summer.

Everyone has their own Camino. Do what pleases your spirit.