Scallop Shell

[Watson, John]

You can buy shells all over, but I got mine at Roncesvalles
(RRRon-thess-BAHL-yez.
John
www.pilgriminspain.net


-----Original Message-----
From: lmorris [mailto:kesatotaSHAW.CA]
Sent: Thursday, 21 February 2002 3:01 PM
To: GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU
Subject: Re: Scallop Shell

        It sounds like the medieval pilgrims got their Scallop shell after
they
got to Santiago and the modern day pilgrim carries their shell from the
start.
        Do you know if can one buy a shell at at St. Jean?

        I think that the Scallop shell and the Camino has a long history and
a
very deep mystery other than being a souvenir or proof of making it to
Santiago.


bill deutschman wrote:
>
> I was wondering, for those of you who have walked the Camino, did you
> carry the Scallop Shell with you?
>
> Two years ago it seemed as if everyone had a scallop shell.  Many were
attached
> to walking sticks, others to packs.  We attached ours to the back of our
> Camelbacks.  Got them in Paris at a food market filled with a scallop,
cheese &
> bread mixture.  However, I later learned that in the olden days people got
> their shells on the coast after they made the pilgrimage and carried them
home
> as a sign that they had gotten to Santiago.
>
> One of the things that really struck home when we got to Santiago was the
> realization that we would shortly fly home after 10 weeks on the Camino
but the
> medieval pilgrims were only half way through.  They had to turn around and
walk
> home.  We saw a few pilgrims walking home but wasn't more than 5 or 6.  I
> wonder what the walk home is like?  It must be quite different from the
way to
> Santiago.
>
> Bill
> olcbillafireserve.net