We joined hands and prayed as we have done each morning as we set foot on The Way. We were walking up hill as usual after leaving a town so you can hear my breathing ...
Two dogs barked from a yard but made no move towards us. I was happy to have arrived at this day. I looked back at the color of the sky before sunrise and hoped we would not miss a turn because we could barely see the yellow arrows. Could have used our headlamps but they were deep in our packs. We had rain covers on our packs because the forecast was 100% rain. It was very quiet and soon we heard our last cuckoo. I was always surprised when a cuckoo would sing and really enjoyed it. I will miss the cuckoos. We had our umbrellas and ponchos ready for rain. It was very windy so when the rain began we chose the ponchos. It was not a heavy rain and did not last. We were thankful.
I didn't take many pics because of the mist and rain. Plus it was a short morning ... was surprised when we arrived at this spot and knew we were not far from Santiago.
We did not see many pilgrims this morning. As we approached Santiago, there were a few. This is one of the many shell markers in Santiago.
Two dogs barked from a yard but made no move towards us. I was happy to have arrived at this day. I looked back at the color of the sky before sunrise and hoped we would not miss a turn because we could barely see the yellow arrows. Could have used our headlamps but they were deep in our packs. We had rain covers on our packs because the forecast was 100% rain. It was very quiet and soon we heard our last cuckoo. I was always surprised when a cuckoo would sing and really enjoyed it. I will miss the cuckoos. We had our umbrellas and ponchos ready for rain. It was very windy so when the rain began we chose the ponchos. It was not a heavy rain and did not last. We were thankful.
I didn't take many pics because of the mist and rain. Plus it was a short morning ... was surprised when we arrived at this spot and knew we were not far from Santiago.
We did not see many pilgrims this morning. As we approached Santiago, there were a few. This is one of the many shell markers in Santiago.
We stopped for coffee and churros before entering the old part of Santiago. It was about 7:30 am. We were the only pilgrims there but he was doing a good business.
Wondered when we would see the church spires. In all the other places you could see the church from afar but it was not so in Santiago. And then Stoney said to look...
Somehow we ended up on the back side.
So we walked under an arch and down some steps, turned left and we arrived about 8:15 am. It was very quiet.
I knew repairs were being made but I did not expect to see all of this. Stoney's jacket is the right color.
Below is a young Army couple who had walked from Sarria (last 60 miles). They arrived in the plaza just after us. Stoney noticed he was wearing Army boots (the ones comfortable to walk in). They took this photo of us and I took one of them together.
The last shell marker.
It was rather fortuitous that we arrived at the same time as the young couple. We walked with them to the Pilgrim office and Stoney had someone to talk with during our approximate 90 min. wait in line for our compostela. It made the time pass more quickly. What a nice young couple. This pic was taken after we made it to the front of the line looking back toward the street.
An American who had grown up in Newnan, GA was the volunteer who let you come in for the final stamp on the pilgrim credential. Yes, I was happy. My pack looks huge because I stowed my trekking poles.
The woman volunteer who put our certificates in a tube to carry home was the wife of the man at the door. They finished their pilgrimage 2 weeks ago and are volunteering before they go home. She asked if I would like a pic.
And then I took this of Stoney. He waits.
Voila!
It was about 10 am and we stopped across the street from the Pilgrims office for a cheese omelet and coffee. The line now for the compostela was twice as long and wrapped around to the side street. Who was getting up to leave the restaurant? Frankie, the woman, I met way back in the beginning who had knee problems. Remember the video I took of her agonizing walk. Well, she made it to Santiago. She raised up her pant legs and showed me her normal size knees with no knee braces. Fantastic !
Next stop - Pilgrims' Mass at Noon. We went into the Church about 10:45 and sat in the third row. Awesome.
The church really filled up and people were standing. I was very thankful for a seat during the wait as well as during Mass.
At the end of mass we were not sure if we would see the botafumeiro swing. I guess they don't do it at every Mass. Some had told us that because it was Pentecost weekend, it might be at the evening Mass. I had decided not to be disappointed if we did not get to see it. I was so very grateful to have finished the Camino in good health; that was enough for me.
Then the organ blasted and the botafumeiro was lowered. WHOA! Click on the full screen button, bottom right of video to get a better view. The rope it hangs from is thicker around than my forearm.
And this is how they stop it.
After Mass we checked into the hotel which was next to the Church.
The guy laying down has justed completed 500 miles by bicycle probably in 14-16 days. He puts his bike down and lays there for quite some time. I think he was praying and giving thanks. His buddy stands and prays.
Close up of hotel entry. I will add details about this place when we are home.
A rainy view from our room.
Time to relax - so sweet. A long soak in the tub and lotion afterwards which was delightful. Plus a hair dryer for my uncivilized locks.
This may come as a shock to some but the next stop was Burger King. The craving for a hamburger (even a fast food hamburger) was strong. We were offered multiple tastes of pulpo (octopus) on platters from various restaurants as we walked by but we did not sample.
Alice also found her way to Burger King. We enjoyed her company the last 3 days of our journey. We compared notes on the mystery meat in a hamburger we had ordered at the beginning of our trip served in a Spanish restaurant. It was not the color or texture of beef and it was soft and cooked rare. We could not eat much of it. She had the same experience. We were told later by someone it was veal. Who knows? Stoney said it was mystery meat ...
We went back to the Cathedral and visited the tomb of St. James.
Walked up steps in back of the altar and wrapped an arm over the Statue of St. James. His face is looking out over all in the church. This was very ornate which surprised me. I was expecting a simple pilgrim.
Steps going up and coming down are shaped by millions of pilgrims' feet.
We walked around and looked in the various chapels and altars in the Cathedral. Stopped in the Adoration Chapel for prayer.
Today was First Friday and at home I would have gone to our chapel for an hour of prayer and adoration at 3 am. Thought about the women I pray with and prayed for all I hold in my heart every day.
Went down the street to San Francisco (St. Francis) Church. I'm from a Franciscan parish at home so I don't miss many opportunities to visit churches named after St. Francis.
Beautiful recorded music was playing in the background - perfect for more prayer. Then we obtained our St Francis compostela. Pic to follow here later.
As we were leaving, I saw Shirley (New Zeland) from a few weeks back. She had completed the journey. Then we saw Nick and Natalie from England who we had visited with a couple of times but did not expect to see again. They arrived today too.
We did not want another pilgrim meal, so we had a ham and cheese sandwich on toasted sandwich bread (like bread in the U.S.) with lettuce and tomato. It was called an American Mixto on the menu.
Went back to the hotel.
Our room with curtain draped to side.
Interesting old benches in hotel courtyards.
I stayed up working on the blog til 10 pm because I would not be up and walking early the next day. Hotel breakfast buffet would be served from 7:30 am to 10:30 am.
Our walk with God
is never a lonely walk,
it is a family occasion,
if taken in the company
of God's children.
If we lag behind,
there are those who will turn
and offer words of encouragement,
hold out a hand and offer assistance
over stiles and other obstacles,
share refreshment,
help us from our knees
when we stumble.
Our walk with God
Is never a lonely walk.
It is a joyful experience,
as along the path others join us,
attracted by the company
of God's children,
singing the same songs of praise.
that angels sing,
following a path
worn down by tears and joy,
and sacrifice.
Our walk with God
is never a lonely walk,
for he walks with us,
on a track that leads
to a glorious destination.
By John Birch
PrayerWalker...you look so happy after your walk on the Camino. Your pictures were absolutely beautiful. Not anything like a walk on the AT!! Glad you both were able to complete your walk. Sounds like you had no major problems. Glad your time on the Camino was meaningful.
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