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<TITLE>Re: Pilgrim meals at the Reyes Catolicos Parador</TITLE>
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<B>Please what is the name of the book and author’s last name?<BR>
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Thanks<BR>
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Atina Diffley<BR>
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</FONT><BLOCKQUOTE><FONT FACE="Verdana"> Hello you all,<BR>
In her book (page 362) Linda writes that, by tradition, pilgrims walking to Santiago were entitled to three days free food and lodging at the Parador, and she recounts how her group partook of such entitlement in 1974.<BR>
Two weeks ago, the commentator that is walking the 8 Galicia Caminos, for the Coruna Deputation, availed himself of the pilgrims' right to free meals and reports the current procedures: <BR>
The Parador will provide the meals to the first 10 pilgrims that request them. Breakfast is at 9:00 a.m., lunch at 12:00 noon and dinner at 7:00 p..m. <BR>
Interested pilgrims need to take photocopies of their Compostela, awarded within the last three days, to the person in charge of the garage who will collect them and will give coupons for the meals. Pilgrims with such coupons enter the Parador through the main door and cross the cloister in direction to the kitchen where they will be given a tray for the food. The meals provided to pilgrims are those provided to the Parador's staff; the main meals consisting of first and second courses, dessert, water and wine. With their trays full pilgrims then proceed to a special dining room for pilgrims.<BR>
(This seems to be a new facility since Linda writes that her group of pilgrims ate in the kitchen)<BR>
Pilgrims wanting the three meals need to take three photocopies of the Compostela.<BR>
The commentator reports that seven international pilgrims had the noon meal when he went two weeks ago, and that a Canadian pilgrim assured him that the right to the free meals extended for three days.<BR>
Linda's book mentions lodgings, but the commentator didn't.<BR>
You know, it does seem a shame that Linda's book, the most valuable modern book on the Camino Frances in my personal opinion, is only available in English; pilgrims of all nationalities, particularly Brazilian and French, keep asking me whether it will ever be available in their language. <BR>
Also, there's little I wouldn't do to have Linda write a follow-up on the other Caminos!<BR>
Perhaps some day!<BR>
Warm regards,<BR>
Rosina <BR>
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