[Gocamino] [saintjames] Re:Two Sellos per Etapa for a Compostela

[Glenn]

Howard said:
" I had my Compostela laminated and it's gathering dust somewhere.  But  the 
Camino is living with me every day."

I would have to agree with Howard.  When I arrived in Santiago after my 
second Camino this year, I was not even going to stand in line for a 
Compostela, because I realized that the gifts, the blessings of the Camino 
are the real thing...the piece of paper has little meaning in comparison. 
When I arrived late in the afternoon, there was not a line at the office and 
I just walked in and got my official piece of paper.  I thought that at 
least I was contributing to the official statistics of who was walking 
during that period.  It also was interesting to hear at the mass the 
following day, that I was the only American (recieving a Compostela) at that 
time to have started at SJPP.

I have some of my favorite photos framed and hanging in the family room 
along with a framed copy of the creditial which reminds my of the refugios I 
stayed at, but the Compostela is in a file some place.  In some respects 
that piece of paper seems to me to be like the t-shirt you get for running a 
marathon...something to prove to others that you actually did it.  I hope 
that I am fortunate to walk the Camino more times, but I won't feel deprived 
if I do not happen to get a
Compostela.  I might be tempted to tell a non truth and say that I was not 
walking for spiritual reasons just to see what that other certificate looks 
like.

Glenn