Begoña Valdomar Insua
Hospitalera of the hostel of pilgrims of Fisterra and vicepresident of the Galician Association of Friends of the Way of Santiago, functions that combines with its work in the City council of Fisterra, head of the Rourist Information and Youth Information.
Presentation: The welcome to the pilgrim at the end of the world
Regardless of his motivation, the pilgrim leaves his daily environment to face a physical, human and spiritual experience that often leads to a deep exercise of introspection. In the shelters the basic needs of the pilgrim are covered (accommodation, toilet and food), but especially important is the attention to their human needs, the welcome to the pilgrim.
In the case of Fisterra, the inauguration of the public shelter on March 30, 1999 marks a before and after in the service to the pilgrim. Since the first fisterrana was distributed in 1997, the number of pilgrims has not stopped growing, and, from their hands, the accommodation and services along the Way have multiplied.
In this context of rapid growth, it is essential not to get carried away by "commodification". One of the keys to the success of the Camino goes through the vital and human experience it entails, which requires keeping in mind the importance of welcoming the pilgrim, one of the foundational characteristics of the Camino, as shown by the numerous hospitals created in the Middle Ages for attend to those who were going to Santiago.
November
