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Getting my Compostela home undamaged

Jeepl8d

Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Frances (2023)
I’m days away from Santiago and looking for information on how to get my Compostela home undamaged. Are they issued with an envelope or is there a place nearby to buy a mailing tube or other that I can bring on an airplane?
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
think about keeping your credencial in good condition and safe as well or you may regret that
 
The cheap trick, taught to me by a camino companion who was a former engineer, is to get a large water bottle, cut the top off, and dry it thoroughly. Put your Compostela inside and stuff the inner with clothing. One free Compostela transportation device!
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
You can buy a Compostela sized tube at the same time that you pay for your distance certificate. By the way, the new system is very quick to get your Compostela and distance certificate. The line to pay for the distance certificate was very slow. They really need more than the one kiosk that was operating when we were there June 16, 2023.
 
I’m days away from Santiago and looking for information on how to get my Compostela home undamaged. Are they issued with an envelope or is there a place nearby to buy a mailing tube or other that I can bring on an airplane?
HI.
You can buy a tube at the office were you get your Compostela and to keep it safe take on the plane with your hand luggage.
Buen Camino
 
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
Whoa - they had a price increase. It was €2,00 last summer. Oh well. It is still worth it to protect your certificates, that you worked so hard to receive.
The tube can easily hold both your Compostela and your distance certificate. Checked my backpack flying back home June 5th 2023 and it did not make it to Montreal 😬. Received the pack five days later with the tube and well-packed shell all intact. 😅
 
I went to a shop where they sell books and/or office supplies. Bought a plastic folder that tucks nicely into the pocket against my back in my backpack. So I didn't have to roll or fold it.
 
Ideal pocket guides for during & after your Camino. Each weighs only 1.4 oz (40g)!
Whoa - they had a price increase. It was €2,00 last summer. Oh well. It is still worth it to protect your certificates, that you worked so hard to receive.


Interesting. When I walked 9 years ago I was given one. Didn’t even ask. Perhaps. because I looked so scruffy and wet and smelt vile. Early morning slosh in through rain and modtly pre-dawn dark from Lavacolla.

De Colores

Bogong
 
Whoa - they had a price increase. It was €2,00 last summer. Oh well. It is still worth it to protect your certificates, that you worked so hard to receive.
I’m sure the small gift shop opposite to the Pilgrims Office sells them for €2.
 
If you decide to opt for the cardboard tube, you can wrap it in an T-shirt/towel, to give it a bit more protection in your pack! Last year I took some bubble wrap, which is also useful for packing any fragile gifts!

You could also just use a poly pocket, as suggested, I used one of these when I collected my first Muxiana/Finisterrana certificate!
I sandwiched the certificates between two pieces of card inside a poly pocket, then kept it in the back of my packs bladder compartment!
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
think about keeping your credencial in good condition and safe as well or you may regret that
Agree, I kept both of mine in those plastic zip lock bags. They now hang on the wall of my study along with the two compostellas.
 
Train for your next Camino on California's Santa Catalina Island March 16-19
I was sure to make it come home safely too, and bought a cardboard box at the Correros office that would fit the Compostela in tube and would then fill it up with the enticing nicknacks and the extra shell for the wall that would be too good to NOT buy and fill this into the box.
Tape it up properly and send it home...
Make sure to find the listing prize and weight for the postage home

 
Interesting. When I walked 9 years ago I was given one. Didn’t even ask. Perhaps. because I looked so scruffy and wet and smelt vile. Early morning slosh in through rain and modtly pre-dawn dark from Lavacolla.

De Colores

Bogong
What Month did you go?
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.

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