Pilgrim's credentials

[Rosina Lila]

    Dear Gauri,
    Next to the Pamplona Cathedral's main entrance there is the entrance to
the Cathedral Museum; sometimes there is someone there who dispenses the
pilgrim's credential; if not, the people there will direct you to the church
downtown where you can always get the credential.
    Since you will be in Pamplona, you may want to consider taking the 6:00
p.m. "pilgrims" bus to Roncesvalles. You will get there on time to get the
credential and attend the (very moving) pilgrims' blessing, after which you
may decide to return to Pamplona via the same bus or to remain in
Roncesvalles and commence the pilgrimage there. The Roncesvalles Colegiata
has recently expended the albergue facilities, consequently staying there
should present no problem.
    Personally, I find the walk between Roncesvalles, a the foot of the
Pyrenees, and Pamplona quite beautiful and a good beginning effort since it
is relatively downhill.  Right after Pamplona there is the, sometimes
daunting, ascent to the Perdon and subsequent hills and mountains. And who
doesn't want to go up to the Perdon, particularly after seeing the beautiful
pictures in Linda's book of the wind-swept Pilgrims' monument on its top?
    Send me a message directly if I may give you more specific details.
    Regards,
Rosina