<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Lucida Sans Unicode" LANG="0">Hi,<BR>
It seems that organized groups from associations, churches and societies, from all over the world, have begun preparations for pilgrimages to Santiago next year.<BR>
While I was there, I read in the Galician newspapers that a lottery-type selection was already being used by the Archdiocese and the Xunta to allocate to towns, churches, etc. in Spain the days in which they should go.<BR>
Being that the Cathedral is small, and that, understandably, every pilgrim will want to go in and hug the Apostle, this allocation makes sense.<BR>
The pilgrims' office near by is open now from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. seven days a week. The people there commented that during last July and August sometimes they had to remain open until midnight. They mentioned the prospect of keeping the office open 24 hours a day next summer. That office, by the way, is being extensively renovated. The ground floor will open into a patio that will have places for pilgrims to rest, a small coffee shop, and bathrooms, so that pilgrims may enjoy some comfort while they wait to go up to get their Compostela or to find information re: albergues, transportation, assistance and so on.<BR>
The backpack check-in ("consigna") office, two doors down, will be enlarged and improved, but, as now, walking sticks will not be allowed to be left there.<BR>
There are two new albergues in Santiago; while not as spacious and well outfitted as the Monte de Gozo they are in-town, much, much closer to the Cathedral and to everything else. <BR>
If there is something in particular that I may tell you, please let me know.<BR>
I've come back with so many Camino stories and so much enthusiasm for Santiago that some friends and relatives are making plans to go there for Thanksgiving. While not enchanted by the prospect of traveling with companions that do not speak Spanish, which necessitates my spending a great deal of the time translating, I will probably go along. I'll then collect more timely information about next year.<BR>
Warm regards,<BR>
Rosina</FONT></HTML>