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SJPDP pilgrim office - why?

Mananath

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Frances July 2022
Hi- I will be finishing up the Via Podiensis in a few days and then starting on the Frances from SJPDP. Is there any reason for me to visit the pilgrim office (and probably wait on a long line)?

My credential has tons of space, I don't need a shell and I am very much in the Camino headspace now.

Will I miss anything if I skip it? When I previously walked the Frances I started in Pamplona.

Thanks!
 
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Camino Way markers in Bronze
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.
None whatsoever. Nice people, free to everyone; but if you don’t need them they’ve a queue to deal with.
 
1) they always provide good advice, as well as friendliness

2) their information is always most up to date, and their lodging lists, whilst not perfect, will always be an excellent complement to other sources

3) besides, in France, it's considered fairly impolite to not go and give a friendly bonjour...

If you see a long line, shrug, go off and get yourself a coffee, then come back after the line has vanished.
 
You can get a printed list with all the albergues in the pilgrim office. That list also includes distances between the towns / albergues, availability of kitchens ect. in the albergues, how many beds, prices. ect. Very useful!

Also, a printed info sheet which shows the elevation profile of the way.

It's like a very basic, but very useful guide book.

I always stop there to get a stamp and the accommodation list (and because I like the atmosphere).
 
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No.
 
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The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
In addition, SJPdP is the starting point of CF (?)
 
Somebody has posted statistics in the forum from that office in the past. I’ve found that to be useful for gauging relative crowds on the CF during various times of the year. Compostela numbers from the pilgrim office in SdeC are skewed by the large numbers of pilgrims on other Camino routes or starting closer to SdeC. So if for no other reason, stop in at SJPP, get a stamp, and have your head counted!

P.S. On my first CF I arrived by bus from Pamplona around 1600, and there was no line. This was during the typically busy third week of September.
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
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.
Rmarkob said:
Compostela numbers from the pilgrim office in SdeC are skewed by the large numbers of pilgrims on other Camino routes or starting closer to SdeC.
Click to expand...
I would question the idea of "skewed". That seems to imply that SJPDP to Santiago is the norm and other starting points or routes are an aberration. It has been quite some time since SJPDP to Santiago could justifiably claim to be "the Camino". The picture these days is far more complex.
 
I meant in terms of gauging how crowded the CF would be during various seasons prior to the merger of other routes as the CF approaches SdeC and prior to Sarria.
 
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Unless I wanted a credencial I probably wouldn't visit the pilgrim office and add to their workload. I didn't on my last visit to SJPDP despite staying just across the street in Beilari. I can read a weather forecast fairly well. I don't visit the Santiago pilgrim office these days either. So I will be one of the "invisible" pilgrims as far as the statistics go.
 
I didn’t. I still walked it without problems.
 
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If one already has a set of credentials obviously a visit to the pilgrim's office in SJPdP isn't a necessity and one isn't required to go there to get a shell to hang off one's backpack.
I always go there simply because I enjoy going there even if I already have a set of credentials. I've never experienced a line to get in and I like to talk and meet with the gracious volunteers. I always get a set of credentials and a stamp even if I already have some. The credentials are only two Euro.
They also provide a packet of other information about the Camino.
The pilgrim's office has a good vibe and it's part of my Camino experience.
 
EXPRESS BOURRICOT - Transport
Transport luggage-passengers.
From airports to SJPP
Luggage from SJPP to Roncevalles
It is all in the timing.. The pilgrim office in SJPP is a cute as a button and the most genuinely beautiful people volunteer there.. That in itself it lovely to just be with people who share what they can to help
people like us... So YES.. I would bc they give you a map and go to great lengths to make sure you leave Basque Country will full understanding of the Walk over the Pyrenees ... if you dont need anything great. But stop in , say Hello, say Thankyou , make a donation.. but dont count it out .. safe journey
 
Arriving off the 14:22 from Bayonne I wandered up to the Bureau Pèlerin to get a "first stamp". That late in the afternoon the volunteer was a bit concerned when I said "No, I didn't need a bed". "Vous allez à Orisson?"" Non, Valcarlos."" Bonne idée".

I'll not pass that way again but I remember the place and the people that staff it with real affection
 
Camino Preparation Guide
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
I stopped in at the office this afternoon. Lovely people. I got a stamp, a map for tomorrow and some conversation. Only waited about 10 min.

I have nothing to compare to but it seems that SJPDP isn't very busy right now.
 
Mananath said:
I stopped in at the office this afternoon. Lovely people. I got a stamp, a map for tomorrow and some conversation. Only waited about 10 min.

I have nothing to compare to but it seems that SJPDP isn't very busy right now.
Click to expand...
Hooray for you !!!! HUGS... Great feeling right... Pay Basque !!!
 
good_old_shoes said:
You can get a printed list with all the albergues in the pilgrim office. That list also includes distances between the towns / albergues, availability of kitchens ect. in the albergues, how many beds, prices. ect. Very useful!
Click to expand...
I found the same list online, but unfortunately, after more than five years, I can’t remember the URI. I say the same because the footer said it was from there.
 
More 2024 Camino Guides available
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
WGroleau said:
I found the same list online, but unfortunately, after more than five years, I can’t remember the URI. I say the same because the footer said it was from there.
Click to expand...
Five years is a long time in the evolution of the Frances. That iteration will not reflect the current situation. Gronze and our friend Wisepilgrim struggle to keep up with the changes. A five year old list has value only as an historical artefact
 
You don't have to stand in line if all you want to do is walk in and look at the boards and see the statistics. If you want somebody to give you
You actually don't need to stand in line if all you want to do is walk in and look at the boards and statistics and stuff. You need to stand in line if you want to talk to somebody and get your credential stamped and get the paper information they can give you. Just walk into the right of the line and look around.
 
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