Santiago de Compestella

We left O Pefrouzo at 5:45am so if there was a swinging of the incense burner (Botafumeiro) in the cathedral we would be able to make it to mass in time. With 20 km to walk it meant more than half of it in the dark. We made it by 11 am stashed our luggage at the hostel we were staying in and went directly to the cathedral for only standing room. I guess the sermon was good but only for those who could understand Spanish. Then when mass was over they swung the Botafumeiro. It is quite a sight to witness.     They get the Botafumeiro to swing within a few feet of the transcript ceiling while filling the cathedral with the smell of incense. One of the special moments of the camino. The reason as I have been told they did this originally is the local residents attending mass were caustically  insulted by the smell of pilgrims who hadn't bathed and washed their clothes in a long time. Solution: incense and lots of it.

Our day and a half consisted of meeting lots of people who we have met and sometimes walked with for 5 weeks. Kevin was there to greet us. 

Mixed in with all these reunions are many good byes as people leave to go home or go on to the coast which this year has great weather. Sad goodbyes and fun greetings.

Shopping, getting our certificates of completion (compostella's) and a couple of beers with lots of talking finished off the afternoon. Kevin took a group of twelve of us to a restaurant he found that served some great seafood. We had a great dinner and a fun evening. 

Our second and full day in Santiago consisted of Kevin renting a car and taking himself and three others to the coast. Included in the group was Werner who was dropped off at Muxia where he would spend a couple of days before starting his trip home to Germany. Brian decided not to go; with laundry, shopping and sightseeing in town to do. A relaxing but busy day for all. In the afternoon met Kate and Liz with their husbands and another couple. Later we met for a couple of beers and got up to date on what they have been doing ( they have been a day behind us since Sarria). Said  bye to Marlene as she headed to the airport to go and meet some friends and travel more in Europe. Also said bye to Kevin late yesterday afternoon as he was heading to the airport to go home. Had dinner  and off to bed. This morning I said bye to Brian as he was picked up at our hostel by taxi for a trip to the airport. As Guy and I were having breakfast in the hostel Maidere came and said good bye to us. She is staying in Santiago for the upcoming music festival. Another sad good bye. 

Santiago is a rich in history, restaurants (great seafood) and sights. Combine that with dozens of people you have met and it becomes a special place.

Most of our walk to Santiago

Our group on the the last day of walking: L-R. Paul, Reinka, Guy, Marlene, Maidere, Werner, and Brian

A welcome to Santiago monument on the hill above the town.

A happy pilgrim upon arriving at the cathedral.

During the mass

Loading the Botafumeiro with incense.

Swinging the Botafumeiro

Brian getting his Compestella

This is Peter from Germany who walked 2840 km from his house in 100 days. We saw him one morning about 3 days ago. He is holding his passport showing all the stamps he had got during his camino.

The dinner that we had with Kevin.

Breakfast at our hostel in Santiago .

Kevin and group heading out to the coast 

Tuua(sp?) from Denmark after putting on his fourth camino pin on his right shirt pocket. We saw him allot during our camino. 

Part of the reunion group with Kate and Liz. 

Food displayed in a restaurant window.

Yum yum!!

Another thought about this camino experience is the people one meets from all parts of the world. China and the Muslim countries being the exception for our two caminos. All almost without exception have been wonderful people to get to know.

Guy are now on to a trip to the western most part of the Spanish coast which is for many people the end of their camino. We plan to spend four days on the coast walking and a return day to Santiago before  taking the train to Madrid on Tuesday next week for our departure flight on Wednesday.

Great weather forecasted for the coast.

Paul