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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> To all out
there,</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <?xml:namespace prefix
= o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">I had read it so many times
- After you get your Compostela, make a photocopy and then you are able to get 3
days of free breakfasts, lunches and dinners at the 5 star hotel (Hostal dos
Reyes Catolicos) in the same square as the Cathedral. Imagining the huge demand
there would be for such an experience, and knowing just how down on funds many
of the pilgrims were, I thought we would make sure of our place in the queue.
Dinner would be the best time to go, as this would be the most generous meal.
This was served at 6pm. So we took our places at 6pm, smirking to find ourselves
the first there. </SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Right
on 7pm a doorman came and gave us a signed chit, then directed us to the main
entrance. So we were allowed in through the same door as all the elegant people
milling around the square. We were escorted through a foyer, and then crossed a
garden to the back of the building, and into the kitchen. Here we finally saw
another person, who joined us in<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>collecting their meal on a tray , then vanished. There is a small
<I>comedor</I> or dining room set aside for pilgrims – we were the only two in
there; the sun was streaming through a small open window, and we sat down to a
three course meal. Basic, I’ll grant you, and the chips were probably heated up
from lunch, but there were potatoes as well, so we left the chips. A glass of
<I>vino tinto</I>, of course, and the whole place to ourselves. Some bargains
are worth chasing.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Hope
others can enjoy the same experience,</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Rebecca
Belchamber</SPAN></DIV></BODY></HTML>