Pilgrim meals at the Reyes Catolicos Parador

[Rosina Lila]

 Hello you all,
       In her book (page 362) Linda writes that, by tradition, pilgrims
walking to Santiago were entitled to three days free food and lodging at the
Parador, and she recounts how her group partook of such entitlement in 1974.
       Two weeks ago, the commentator that is walking the 8 Galicia Caminos,
for the Coruna Deputation, availed himself of the pilgrims' right to free
meals and reports the current procedures:
The Parador will provide the meals to the first 10 pilgrims that request
them.  Breakfast is at 9:00 a.m., lunch at 12:00 noon and dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Interested pilgrims need to take photocopies of their Compostela, awarded
within the last three days, to the person in charge of the garage who will
collect them and will give  coupons for the meals.  Pilgrims with such coupons enter
the Parador through the main door and cross the cloister in direction to the
kitchen where they will be given a tray for the food.  The meals provided to
pilgrims are those provided to the Parador's staff; the main meals consisting
of first and second courses, dessert, water and wine.  With their trays full
pilgrims then proceed to a special dining room for pilgrims.
(This seems to be a new facility since Linda writes that her group of
pilgrims ate in the kitchen)
Pilgrims wanting the three meals need to take three photocopies  of the
Compostela.
The commentator reports that seven international pilgrims had the noon meal
when he went two weeks ago, and that a Canadian pilgrim assured him that the
right to the free meals extended for three days.
       Linda's book mentions lodgings, but the commentator didn't.
       You know, it does seem a shame that Linda's book, the most valuable
modern book on the Camino Frances in my personal opinion, is only available in
English; pilgrims of all nationalities, particularly Brazilian and French, keep
asking me whether it will ever be available in their language.
       Also, there's little I wouldn't do to have Linda write a follow-up on
the other Caminos!
Perhaps some day!
Warm regards,
Rosina

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