5km Into Santiago

We woke up early in the morning to a hazy, rainy day. 

At least today we only had to walk 5 kilometers in the rain, not 30km. 

The group of us- me, Chris, Paco, Jose, Oscar, Fernando and Stefano- trekked through the puddles 

down the hill from Monte de Gozo, through the city of Santiago in search of the cathedral 

we've been waiting to see in person for the past 28 days.

Our shoes are still squishing from the endless days of rain, but today it doesn't matter. 

We're SO CLOSE!

Walking through the winding city streets, we had no idea when we were going to come upon the cathedral. After some twists and turns and heavy spurts of rain, we turned a corner and THERE IT WAS. The old stone is covered with moss and dark streaks, giving it a mysterious and haunting quality.

In front of the cathedral. 

There is also a live video stream in the square, so you can wave to people
from home as you stand there exhausted at the end of your journey.

After sharing hugs, kisses and tears with everyone in front of the cathedral, 

we walked over to the pilgrim's office to receive our final certificate of completion.
The poster in the background shows the route from St Jean-Peid-de-Port.

Then it was time to attend the pilgrim's mass, one of the most talked-about aspects of the 

trip and something we'd been looking forward to for a while.

And now, for the most famous part of the mass....

                                                       the swinging of the GIGANTIC incense burner.

Six strong men were used to heave the rope up and down in order to swing the incense. 

All cameras went up in the crowded cathedral and people squeezed in close to try and get a better view.

After mass, we all headed to a bar to indulge in the delicacies of Galicia- mainly Pulpo, or octopus.

There could have been no better meal to celebrate our arrival in Santiago.

This is a wonderfully creamy cheese that Paco and Jose insisted we try. 

Following, were many jokes of boobs and nipples... 

                                                 something we could all understand across language barriers.

 Thank you to all of our amazing friends who kept things interesting and engaging as 

we walked all the way across a new country in the sunshine, rain, warmth, wind, and fog.

And thank you Paco and Jose for treating us to this lovely meal. In the words of 

Paco and translated by Oscar, "I am happy to help you. When I was your age, I would have loved 

it if someone older had helped me. It is nothing for me to pay and everything for you to 

experience that I treat you to this meal."

Satisfied and overwhelmed.