The following morning I went to the pilgrims office where I purchased my pilgrims passport or credencial, stamped with my first sello (stamp). A credencial is your most valuable document on Camino as it allows you admittance to the pilgrims hostels (Albergues) each night and also provides proof of your journey. You guard it with your life and get it stamped at least once each day with a sello, obtainable from albergues, churches and bars.
When you arrive at the pilgrims office in Santiago with your completed credencial you are given your compostella (certificate) denoting that you have fulfilled your pilgrimage.
St Jean Pied De Port (St John at the foot of the mountain pass) is a medieval walled town within the Basque region of the French Pyrenees. It is very pretty and well worth a visit, however the word little sums it up. After getting my credencial I set off to experience the delights of the town. Two hours later, after visiting the town museum and walking the ramparts I was back in my hotel room wondering how I was going to fill up the rest of the day and evening.
I used this time to make final adjustments to my kit including attaching a scallop shell to my pack, this is the symbol of peregrinos (pilgrims) walking the Way of St James (Sant Iago). The rest of the day was taken up drinking coffee, writing postcards to family and friends and sleeping. Tomorrow I have a long walk over the mountains.
My Hotel from the town ramparts.
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