<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FAMILY="SERIF" FACE="Palatino Linotype" LANG="0">Hola,<BR>
The Santiago newspapers have mentioned several times, including today, the desirability of maintaining electronic records of pilgrims that can be forwarded from albergue to albergue.<BR>
While we are almost at the end of September, many pilgrims in the French Camino are still encountering difficulties in obtaining a berth in many albergues. There has been a steady stream of complaints about "pijigrinos", presumably those who travel the Camino without backpacks, or with support vehicles, and who manage to get to the albergues early and secure a bed crowding the true "peregrinos" out.<BR>
While albergue keepers do have some criteria for admission, such as the carrying of a backpack, or the provenance of the pilgrims, there is really no effective method to verify the data given. Because of this, those "truer" pilgrims who feel cheated have been urging the Xunta to establish a net of electronic communication between albergues so that the data, and the bona fides, of those seeking refuge may be capable of some verification. <BR>
It seems that the Xunta is seriously considering such communication network. <BR>
<BR>
I would simply advise pilgrims to try other routes: the albergues throughout the Via de la Plata, all the way to Puente Ulla, had plenty of room. True, you had to go to a bar, or the police station, to get the key... but they were clean, ample, commodious, roomy and with kitchen faclities and hot water. In the long stretches without albergues the local bar owner, or the police, would always direct the pilgrims to someone's house, or some other facility which would be just as satisfying as most albergues on the French Camino, I should think.<BR>
<BR>
There have also been complaint about the Pilgrims' Mass (or Masses, since there are two a day this year). Many pilgrims have requested that there be, in fact, a Mass for pilgrims only, since the others are full of tourists and non-pilgrims who come to see the Botafumeiro and leave no room for the pilgrims themselves..<BR>
When I was in Santiago earlier this month I couldn't even get into the Cathedral at Mass time. For the Pilgrims' Masses they open wide both the Azabacherias and the Platerias doors so that those who couldn't get in could hear Mass from the outside of the church, receive Communion, and, perhaps, get a glimpse of the Botafumeiro. In the six days that I spent in Santiago I couldn't get into the Cathedral proper for Pilgrims' Mass.... not even once!<BR>
But,..... holding a Mass for pilgrims only and keeping everyone else out? It'll never happen. I'll be going back to Santiago for Thanksgiving, not as a pilgrim, and I would certainly have a royal tizzy fit if I couldn't attend the Pilgrims' Mass.<BR>
Meanwhile, pilgrims are still pouring into Santiago like there's no tomorrow, and the festivities continue. Five thousand people heard the Mexican singer Luis Miguel night before last. He is a super-popular idol both in Latin America and Latin Europe, and he didn't help the crowding situation at the Cathedral by going through the Holy Door, up to hug the Apostle, down to the crypt and then to Mass.<BR>
Oh well!<BR>
Warm regards,<BR>
Rosina<BR>
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