Pilgrim office not giving out numbers after 2:00 pm??

[trecile]

A friend who is in Santiago now has been having breakfast with a woman who is working in the Pilgrims Office. She told her that they are not giving out numbers for the compostela after 2 pm, and many pilgrims are very upset. Is this true?

 

[Bradypus]

I have just been chatting with a friend in Santiago. This was their reply:
"It is true. The time changes each day. Depending on the volumes. But, I hear the system is working well - you collect a number, go away and check on your phone when to return.

When you return at the alloted time - no queue and therefore no waiting.
Yesterday they stopped issuing numbers by around 3pm.
Because they knew they had enough pilgrims to keep them busy until closing time."

 

[spursfan]

Well the system certainly doesn't work well for those of us without a mobile phone

 

[Kathor1]

Well the system certainly doesn't work well for those of us without a mobile phone

Of course, you don't need a mobile phone for the new system. You can still wait for hours at the Pilgrims Office until it is your turn. I guess in the past people were not turned away because enough people gave up on getting a Compostela on that day as soon as they saw the long queues ...

 

[t2andreo]

PLEASE READ THIS THREAD... This subject has been fully discussed here...

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/taking-a-number-in-santiago.64405/#post-785108

 

[trecile]

PLEASE READ THIS THREAD... This subject has been fully discussed here...

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/taking-a-number-in-santiago.64405/#post-785108

Yes, I understand that the process was fully explained. I was just surprised that pilgrims arriving in the early afternoon would be turned away.
A fellow peregrina received number 1187 at around 13:00 today. I had scanned her QR code for her, and just now when I check the website more than five hours later they are on number 1060

 

[C clearly]

A fellow peregrina received number 1187 at around 13:00 today. I had scanned her QR code for her, and just now when I check the website more than five hours later they are on number 1060

Doesn't that illustrate exactly why they are not giving out numbers after about 2 pm?

 

[trecile]

Doesn't that illustrate exactly why they are not giving out numbers after about 2 pm?

You are right, it does. I guess that I'm just pointing out what the situation is here right now. Today they stopped giving out numbers at about 1:30.

 

[lt56ny]

PLEASE READ THIS THREAD... This subject has been fully discussed here...

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/taking-a-number-in-santiago.64405/#post-785108

Has this ever stopped anyone before from asking it again haha!

 

[lt56ny]

Well the system certainly doesn't work well for those of us without a mobile phone

Well then do what people did before smart phones and before this new system, wait. Or do what I used to do. Get up really early and go to the pilgrim office about 6AM. Don't know how it would be now but last year on November 1st I got there early enough to get the Pilgrim lunch.

 

[peregrina2000]

Well then do what people did before smart phones and before this new system, wait. Or do what I used to do. Get up really early and go to the pilgrim office about 6AM. Don't know how it would be now but last year on November 1st I got there early enough to get the Pilgrim lunch.

Did you get there early enough to get one of the free tickets to the Pórtico de la Gloria? I think they have 25 of those to give every day.

 

[Chris Gi]

Did you get there early enough to get one of the free tickets to the Pórtico de la Gloria? I think they have 25 of those to give every day.

It is rather hard on those who would like to get their Compostela but arrive in Santiago later in the afternoon and have to leave very early the next morning. Or would you just tell them that they should have planned it better

 

[C clearly]

Or would you just tell them that they should have planned it better

I wouldn't tell them that they should have done anything! I would sympathize with them a bit, if it was really important to them. They would just have to bear the disappointment. Other pilgrims will have missed out for many reasons.

 

[VNwalking]

Or would you just tell them that they should have planned it better

No, I sympathize. And at the same time they should know that even when there were queues, that might have been a tight timeframe. Possibly not. But if someone really wants that Compostela, then there IS wisdom in planning an extra day in Santiago to make sure they have the time to get it. (Besides, it's a wonderful city, well worth spending a day in before going home.)

 

[lt56ny]

Did you get there early enough to get one of the free tickets to the Pórtico de la Gloria? I think they have 25 of those to give every day.

I was one of the first 10 people and they gave me the ticket for lunch. There was no mention to any of us about free tickets for the Portico de la Gloria. If there was I missed it completely.

 

[NorthernLight]

I read somewhere that on certain days the free tickets to the Portico of Glory are given to locals rather than pilgrims.

 

[Darby67]

I was one of the first 10 people and they gave me the ticket for lunch. There was no mention to any of us about free tickets for the Portico de la Gloria. If there was I missed it completely.

My wife and I were offered both this year. We turned down the meal at Enxebre as we were already staying at the Hostal dos Reis Católicos and felt it was best for others but went to the Portico de Gloria. Very enjoyable. It had me wondering after and wished I had remembered to ask if it will continue to be the way to view it or if it will used again as a public entrance.

 

[VNwalking]

wished I had remembered to ask if it will continue to be the way to view it or if it will used again as a public entranc

During the viewing I was on, someone asked the docent that and she said no, it will not be the public entrance again.

 

[LesBrass]

Can someone tell me please (@t2andreo) if it’s too busy can you return at a later date (maybe weeks later) and collect your compostela?

I will be one of those pilgrims with very limited time. I don’t mind queuing or going first thing in the morning... but if it's too busy I might be able to return later in the year too. Would this cause any problems with getting a compostela? If I walk in September but visit in December?

And would they issue me with two for two different walks at different times?

 

[spursfan]

Well then do what people did before smart phones and before this new system, wait. Or do what I used to do. Get up really early and go to the pilgrim office about 6AM.

I had already bought my ticket for the Portico of Glory but did indeed join the queue at 7.15 the following morning - my main concern was for the poor security guard who had to spend hours telling people that there would be no more tickets handed out that afternoon when a notice on the door would have been much better for all concerned

 

[Telboyo]

It is not the end of the world if you do not get a Compostela, it is just a piece of paper, you have walked your walk, you know in your heart what you have achieved. If you wish to show others your achievement just me too that you have walked the Camino. Some people will know what you are on about and then may share their experiences with you. Others will not have a clue what you are banging on about, unless they speak Latin a certificate in Latin will not further there understanding. If I was worried that my friends would not believe I had competed a Camino without seeing the certificate I would be more concerned that my friends don't trust what I say. I queued for my Compostela and pains for a tube to keep it safe. Needless to say it is still in the tube somewhere in my house. I know how far and how hard I walked and that is all that matters to me.

 

[Bradypus]

@Telboyo Do you still intend to leave the UK the day Before Brexit for your Camino?

 

[Telboyo]

@Telboyo Do you still intend to leave the UK the day Before Brexit for your Camino?

I started my camino on 29 march this year. I am not planning on going on 31 Oct. Who..knows what will happen.

 

[t2andreo]

I read somewhere that on certain days the free tickets to the Portico of Glory are given to locals rather than pilgrims.

The first 10 pilgrims in queue are offered the free lunch at the Parador. Surprisingly not all take it. So, they must sometimes go higher than the first 120 people to give the free meals away.

The first 25 pilgrims in line are offered free passes to see the Portico de La Gloria. These are rather expensive and always involve lines. The pass is usually for a 19:00 time slot that evening. You do not have to stand in any queue and proceed directly inside. As with the free meal, not everyone is interested or available to go this visit. So, they must usually go higher than 25 to give the free passes away.

I have been there and seen people say, "no thank you...I have a bus/train/plane to catch this afternoon..."

This is done Monday - Saturday. On SUNDAY, the free passes go to the local population.

Moral of this account... if you want free stuff go early and be among the fire 10 in line.

 

[LesBrass]

It is not the end of the world if you do not get a Compostela, it is just a piece of paper, you have walked your walk, you know in your heart what you have achieved.

For me (particularly this year) it is really important. I do have a collection already but everyone is important to me (along with the friendships, credential and photos I amassed as a I walked). This year in particular I'd like to dedicate my compostela so it's a little different.

 

[lt56ny]

The first 10 pilgrims in queue are offered the free lunch at the Parador. Surprisingly not all take it. So, they must sometimes go higher than the first 120 people to give the free meals away.

The first 25 pilgrims in line are offered free passes to see the Portico de La Gloria. These are rather expensive and always involve lines. The pass is usually for a 19:00 time slot that evening. You do not have to stand in any queue and proceed directly inside. As with the free meal, not everyone is interested or available to go this visit. So, they must usually go higher than 25 to give the free passes away.

I have been there and seen people say, "no thank you...I have a bus/train/plane to catch this afternoon..."

This is done Monday - Saturday. On SUNDAY, the free passes go to the local population.

Moral of this account... if you want free stuff go early and be among the fire 10 in line.

Maybe when I went it was a Sunday. I don't remember.

 

[t2andreo]

Or, perhaps you went before they started giving out the Portico tickets? This only started this past Spring, like in early May.

In any event, if there are 25 keen folks in the front of the queue at office opening, you could be out of luck by 08:15...

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

But if someone really wants that Compostela, then there IS wisdom in planning an extra day in Santiago to make sure they have the time to get it

And that extra day might be handy in making sure you can get to Santiago in time to get a certificate.

And, as for me, while I got a welcome certificate it certainly isn't a treasure. I worked a lot harder and longer (years) for other things that ended with a certificate and it would probably take me a week to find them if I cared to.