Santiago!

 

First glimpse of the Cathedral

The arrival into Santiago is hard to describe. I had walked from Ponte Ulla with John the Aussie and we met up with a couple of German girls nearer to Santiago. I realized I wanted to finish on my own, so I sent them on ahead. So the last few kilometres I walked slowly - not that I didn't want the pilgrimage to end, but somehow I wanted to savor it, I guess. The drizzle turned to rain. Then, in the distance I glimpsed through the mist the towers of the cathedral! I was really aware of the millions of pilgrims over the last thousand or so years who'd glimpse these same towers as they neared the end of their pilgrimage.

 

Finally there!

The arrows petered out. I got lost! Finally I could see the towers again and I made my way to Obradoiro square in front of the Cathedral. I had done it! I guess my major feeling was one of relief, perhaps tinged with sadness that it was done, tinged with happiness I'd arrived. 

 

The next day with fellow pilgrims from Holland, Ireland, Japan, Aussie and NZ!

The weather was really damp - I got someone to take a photo. And off I went to find my lodgings. Later I caught up with some companions at the pilgrims' Mass that evening. I concelebrated Mass - this was really emotional. The botfumeiro flew at the end of Mass for all us pilgrims there.  As the guy grabbed the swinging botafumeiro to stop it the organ thundered its final chords, marking the real end of my pilgrimage.

 

Main altar

Since then I've been catching up on sleep, catching up with friends made and trying to work out what it all means!

I think that may never be made clear!

 

From the roof of the Cathedral

The weather has improved today, so I'm now a tourist. Tuesday I'll head for Moratinos where I'll be a chaplain on the Camino Francés

 

Praza Obradoiro 

 

Some medieval Mason's sense of humor

 

Medieval pilgrims burned their clothes beneath this lamb and Cross on the roof. They were given a new tunic as a symbol of their new life

 

Minor Seminary - still a seminary, and hotel and albergue