<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Lucida Sans Unicode" LANG="0">Hi Joe, <BR>
Put your name in the sender's spot and add the word PEREGRINO.<BR>
As your sender's address you can write your home address so that if something happens to the package they can get in touch with you (I never heard of anything happening to packages; but, let's say that you mail yourself a package from Portomarin and four days later, on a Sunday, you must leave for home and didn't have time to retrieve the package, or the package did not arrive before you leave, they will contact you). <BR>
As the addressee write:<BR>
Your name<BR>
Lista de Correos<BR>
15780 Santiago de Compostela<BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Lucida Sans Unicode" LANG="0">Espana<BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Lucida Sans Unicode" LANG="0">You'll need to fill up remittance papers with the same information, but on the papers you will have to add the "province" which Santiago's is Coruna. A copy of the papers will be given to you as a receipt and to enable to claim the packages in Santiago.<BR>
If the sender is identified as a "Peregrino" (pilgrim), they'll keep the packages at the Santiago post office for up to four months. When you retrieve them you will absolutely need to show your passport. Apparently some persons have found remittance papers and tried to retrieve packages as though they were theirs, which is why they now require absolute identification before handing packages to anyone.<BR>
You can get a variety of boxes, padded envelopes, etc. at the post offices themselves, and you can pack whatever you want to send right there. The boxes either glue themselves at one end or come with tape. But if you are as skittish as I about packages coming apart, you can get some cord and tie them up or some extra packaging tape. (I carry both).<BR>
Write your last name in clear capital case letters because they store the packages alphabetically.<BR>
The post office in Santiago is open every day Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 6: p.m., but on Saturdays it is only open until 2:00 p.m. and it is closed on Sundays.<BR>
When you go into the post office there are machines that dispense a number; the machines have two buttons, press the button for "ENVIAR" (to send) and watch the screens for your number and counter. The same button applies to the purchase of stamps. The numbers are rigurously observed by the post office employees who collect them in order.<BR>
Most post offices have nice seats and ways to wait for your number to come up.<BR>
Warm regards,<BR>
Rosina (presently in Portomarin)</FONT></HTML>