free pilgrim meal

[Sue Kenney]

Rebecca and all,

I also had this experience at the Parador hotel. It was in April of this
year when I walked both directions of the Portuguese route. I was in
Santiago on Easter Sunday and a pilgrim from the list serv who was
vacationing there offered to take me to dinner at the Parador. So I had
a delightful meal as a pilgrim in a 5 star dining room.

On my return trip from Muxia, I stayed in Santiago and enjoyed the free
meals for lunch, dinner and breakfast the next morning in the comedor at
the hotel. There were only three pilgrims there for each meal. Lunch and
dinner included a bottle of wine.

Your description of the walk through the courtyard and the sun coming
through the window brought back many memories. Thanks for reminding me
of this experience.

Sue

Rebecca Belchamber wrote:

> To all out there, <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
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>
> I had read it so many times - After you get your Compostela, make a
> photocopy and then you are able to get 3 days of free breakfasts,
> lunches and dinners at the 5 star hotel (Hostal dos Reyes Catolicos)
> in the same square as the Cathedral. Imagining the huge demand there
> would be for such an experience, and knowing just how down on funds
> many of the pilgrims were, I thought we would make sure of our place
> in the queue. Dinner would be the best time to go, as this would be
> the most generous meal. This was served at 6pm. So we took our places
> at 6pm, smirking to find ourselves the first there.
>
> Right on 7pm a doorman came and gave us a signed chit, then directed
> us to the main entrance. So we were allowed in through the same door
> as all the elegant people milling around the square. We were escorted
> through a foyer, and then crossed a garden to the back of the
> building, and into the kitchen. Here we finally saw another person,
> who joined us incollecting their meal on a tray , then vanished. There
> is a small comedor or dining room set aside for pilgrims – we were the
> only two in there; the sun was streaming through a small open window,
> and we sat down to a three course meal. Basic, I’ll grant you, and the
> chips were probably heated up from lunch, but there were potatoes as
> well, so we left the chips. A glass of vino tinto, of course, and the
> whole place to ourselves. Some bargains are worth chasing.Hope others
> can enjoy the same experience,Rebecca Belchamber
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