where do i get a passport in St Jean?

[shell seeker]

i'm starting my first camino in May 2012 at St Jean, and wondering where to get a pilgrim passport from!
also, i'm getting the impression that its quite hard to get a bed if you don't start at 5am - is this true?

[HuskyNerd]

There's a pilgrim office at St Jean where volunteers sell passports for a small charge. You can also get a pilgrim passport from your country's pilgrim confraternity.

Getting a bed is less about when you start then when you end your walking day. In the high season some pilgrims start to line up for beds at noon or even before. This drives some pilgrims, especially those hoping to walk 20 or more kms, to start early so they can end early and get a bed. My own strategy is to start late -- around 7:00 or even 8:00 sometimes -- and not worry about finding a bed. I don't like the idea of starting in the dark when it's cold and hard to see, then having nothing to do at the albergue in the afternoon while I'm waiting for dinner. So I don't really want to finish my walking until around 3:00 in the afternoon at the earliest. With this schedule in two May/June caminos (2008 and 2011) I've only been turned away a couple of times and have always found other suitable options. To me the camino just shouldn't be about anxiously rushing for a bed. It should be savored and enjoyed.

Buen camino!

[shell seeker]

great! thanks for that! in the same mind about the camino and didn't want to ruin it with stress about finding somewhere to sleep!

[Precious1]

" My own strategy is to start late -- around 7:00 or even 8:00 sometimes -- and not worry about finding a bed. I don't like the idea of starting in the dark when it's cold and hard to see, then having nothing to do at the albergue in the afternoon while I'm waiting for dinner. So I don't really want to finish my walking until around 3:00 in the afternoon at the earliest. With this schedule in two May/June caminos (2008 and 2011) I've only been turned away a couple of times and have always found other suitable options. To me the camino just shouldn't be about anxiously rushing for a bed. It should be savored and enjoyed."

Yes!!! :]

Buen camino![/QUOTE]