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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?
 
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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!
 
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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.
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.
 
Jeepl8d said:
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?
Click to expand...
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
 
Dani7 said:
I confirm the pilgrim office sells them for $3 euros.
Click to expand...
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.
 
Let us pick up your suitcase once you arrive in Europe....
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
t2andreo said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
Are they the standard size of paper? 8 1/2” x 11”?
 
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t2andreo said:
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.
Click to expand...


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
 
t2andreo said:
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.
Click to expand...
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!
 
Let us pick up your suitcase once you arrive in Europe....
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
Carolyn-UT said:
Are they the standard size of paper? 8 1/2” x 11”?
Click to expand...
Someone will beat me to it I’m sure but if not I’ll measure one of mine in the morning. I suspect it’s A4.

In the meantime ‘standard’ as in ‘US standard letter’ is not necessarily ‘standard’ elsewhere.
 
markie6 said:
think about keeping your credencial in good condition and safe as well or you may regret that
Click to expand...
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.
 
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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

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Bogong said:
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
Click to expand...
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