Jerri and I thoroughly enjoyed collecting sellos. We had a hard time understanding people who didn't bother or tried to save their credencials in pristine condition for presentation at the peregrino office in Santiago. Some either did not know or did not believe that one of the requirements to receive a compostela is a minimum of two sellos per day over the last 100 km--proof that you had actually walked the distance. On the other hand, some people couldn't understand why we were excited about, or even had, four credencials.
My favorite sello? Hands-down, the one I received from a bar on the way to Arca (Oct. 19). Even though it's a very nice sello, I love it more for the story behind it. I needed to make a pit stop so we stopped at the first likely place we came to--a bar in a building with a wide flight of stairs to the door and outdoor tables in front. The radio was playing Dire Straits' "Walk of Life." I'm singing along, at the top of the steps two women are singing along and dancing in place, so I dance on up the steps. We sing together to the end, share a laugh, then I head for the aseo (bathroom).
As is my habit, I bought a snack in return for use of the aseo. I asked the cashier if she had a sello. However, the other woman who had been dancing gestured for me to come sit with her at the bar. She explained that she had so enjoyed singing and dancing with me that she wanted to do something special. She stamped my credencial, then hand-drew the sello (which she had designed) next to the stamp. So very cool!
