[Gocamino] Volunteerins and translating

[Rosina]

Hello you all,
In response to your questions and suggestions, yes, I am sure that there will  be one type of volunteering that may be welcome  and useful this year, but I just don't know what that may be.
There is a saying in Spanish:  "Mucho ayuda el que no estorba"  (They also help very much those who are not in the way.... sort-of).  There has been talk of having little kiosks outside the Cathedral announcing translation help, but I am not sure that such help will be needed, at least, not my services in that regard:  The Brasilians speak Portuguese, and Portuguese and Galician are two peas from the same pod; they understand each other very well. The French have a (permanent) information site near the Cathedral, and those French pilgrims that I have spoken with are quite  well aware of it. That leaves the Italians and the English-speaking pilgrims, but I wonder how much translation assistance they may need, or want. Unfortunately, (most unfortunately), I do not know any German, but there is now a permanent information unit for Germans in the Cathedral itself.
As far as helping out in the Pilgrims' office for Compostela-granting purposes and such, I do not think that I could do it, particularly since someone mentioned that some pilgrims lie (about their intentions?) when they get a credential. I do not understand this at all.... what is the point of the pilgrimage then?  How can one lie to oneself? But if this in fact happens for the purpose of getting a Compostela, might there not be another untruths about distances covered and means of locomotion, etc?  With this in mind, I probably would not grant anything  to anyone, so that sort of undertsaking is definitely not for me.
There will be so many other things going on in Santiago and environs during August that I will probably go anyway and re-walk the Ourense-Santiago Camino (which I like very much) and be in Santiago to receive and welcome the dozens of friends from several countries that will be arriving in Santiago then.
In my next (and last) "about Santiago" posting I will list the many forthcoming activities. You'll be both amazed and delighted.
Meanwhile, I have been told that the Holy Year posters have been sent to me and they will shortly be on their way to you.
Hugs!
Rosina