Lavacolla to Santiago de Compostela

Day 32

The day started out with a bang as a thunderstorm rolled thru just before dawn. I was glad I’d resisted the thought of setting my alarm and heading out for a daybreak hike or I would have been caught out in the middle of  it. The storm passed over and I was on the road by 7.

The countryside was freshly washed and a heavy mist reminded me of my first day hike through the hills of St. Jean Pied du Port. Seems like ages ago.

With only 10k to cover today I took my time and enjoyed the rolling hills. I stopped to feed clover to a beautiful horse who was reaching for leaves from a tree that was hanging over its corral. Clover was more to his taste.

Just outside the city campsites on the hills were filled. A big music festival is town and I passed the stage just outside the city limits. Just passed the stage area a truck was stuck on the hill. Apparently his tailgate had caught on a road barrier and there were large bits of truck on the road behind it that didn’t belong there. Felt badly for him.

For some reason I expected to see the cathedral from a distance but, like many parts of the Camino, it remained hidden behind a maze of winding streets and hills until revealing itself as a shock at the last moment. I’d begun to wonder if I’d recognize it – but there’s no mistaking the massive structure towering over the grand plaza.

I headed with friends Kim and Gary to the perrigrino office to pick up our hard-earned Compostela certificates. The queue was about 90 minutes long – gave us plenty of time to catch up with and greet pilgrims from various parts of the world.  I even saw and hugged the two older gentleman who were finishing their walk from Rome.  Just amazing.

Due to the big music festival I called ahead and booked a hotel reservation at a place that was a Rick Steves recommendation but not listed in the Camino guidebook.  It was the last room in the hotel. Everything else was booked solid. After getting my Compostela I dropped my pack off at the hotel and headed to the pilgrim’s mass at noon at the cathedral.

Very beautiful service and I saw pilgrims there I’d lost track of weeks ago. Great to get reacquainted with my Camino family.

After lunch with a few American friends I headed back for a hot bath and a siesta. This pup had the right idea.

It’s good to be here – relaxing and reflecting on the past days and weeks.

Camino totals, according to my phone:

Floors climbed: 475

Steps: 1,218,177

Miles: 470.4

More later…