When we leave Salceda it is still dark, so this is the first time when I use the torch. It was really handy to have this equipment today. It wasraining very light from the start.
We reached O'Pedrouzo around 8.10 am after walking for around 8.5 kms, so stopped there for breakfast. By the time we were ready to restart our walk we sky had turned black and the rain was falling down heavily on us, this continued for the next 2 hours. Then, the sun came out and we did not have any more rain till after we reached Santiago.
Today's stage was certainly NOT flat, we were traveling up and down - like a yo yo - through the Galician countryside.
We went around the Labacolla airport - which is the Santiago airport- and I can tell you that the planes get very close to the Camino pathway.
The highest point of today's stage is Monte del Gozo, which is about just over 5 kms from the Cathedral. The view from this point is great. The number of pilgrims during this stage goes up exponentially. Many school groups and elderly people get bussed to this point and then walk from here.
We reached the Santiago Cathedral a few minutes before 1 pm. The feeling of being here after such a long journey is indescribable. Joy and sadness are all there, but also a sense of achievement.
We decide to go to our accommodation prior to having lunch and visiting the pilgrim's office.
Our hostal is around the corner from the cathedral and from my room's window I can see the church's bell tower - so the name of the hostal - La Campana, the bell.
We met with other pilgrims with whom we have shared our Camino and we went out to a nice restaurant for lunch.
I received a call from Frank the Canadian pilgrim who walking with his daughter, indicating that he will be in Santiago shortly. He also joined us for lunch a bit later.
After lunch we visited the Pilgrim's office- where you receive the Compostela, a certificate that you walked at least the last 100 kms of the Camino. The queue when we got there was long, with over 50 people in it. It was raining but we decided to stay there, to obtain what was truly ours, the Compostela. The staff - many of whom are volunteers from a wide range of countries, check your Credential and ask you to sign a document that you have either walked or cycled the Camino. The credential is a document that needs to be stamped by either the local priest or the people in the albergues where you stay each night. This is proof that you have been in those locations which are part of the Camino.
We all received our Compostela, with our names written in Latin.
Jacques and Michael have decided to walk to Finisterre, as they have a bit more time than me, before have to take a flight out of Spain. They will start their walk tomorrow after to 10am mass. Frank and I will travel to Finisterre, by bus tomorrow after breakfast.
We walk around town and I visited the Cathedral and stay for vespers in a small chapel - where I was asked by the priest to assist with the translations from English to Spanish.
By for now. Jose
No comments:
Post a Comment