A million (!) steps behind us, after 40 days of walking, 2 rest days, 2 touring days, and one day of errands, we arrived in Santiago. Holding back the tears of joy:
The feelings are overwhelming: joy, sadness, gratitude and accomplishment. Although having successfully completing the Camino, I'm incredulous that I and so many others finish this pilgrimage, through pain, rain, up and down steep hills, putting one foot in front of the other until it's finally over.
The final day was tough, the bottom of my foot so swollen with tendinitis I no longer needed my orthotic, my foot forming its own padding. Denise, with an infected blister requiring her to walk in her Keene's, also hobbled into Santiago earlier in the morning.
We pushed our arrival in order to attend the pilgrim's mass, officiated by the bishop and seven priests, where the botafumiero (giant incense burner) is swung across the width of the cathedral, appearing to almost hit the ceiling. In the old days its purpose was to fumigate the smelly pilgrims, today it's only scheduled to be swung once per week and is purely spectacle.
We walked almost 500 miles and were never lost. Tonight, without the aid of arrows and pilgrims, we ended up a 51 minute walk from our hotel, following Google Maps to the Hotel San Lorenzo instead of our Hotel San Lazeron. It was late and very dark so we gave in and cabbed to the proper place.
Check back as tomorrow we head to the pilgrim's office to receive our compostelas, our certificates of completion. We'll be staying two nights in a converted monastery, a fitting end to an ancient pilgrimage.
Yay for Li and Chuck! A tremendous accomplishment!!
Posted by: Linda Bruce | October 24, 2015 at 01:27 PM
Congratulations! I've enjoyed "walking" with you.
Posted by: Charlotte | October 24, 2015 at 02:27 PM
Thank you SO much for taking me along. The pictures were so lovely and the commentary excellent 😃.looking forward to talking more about it next May.
Posted by: Margrethe Higgins | October 24, 2015 at 02:44 PM
Wow (again). I can imagine the sense of accomplishment, and the feelings of both joy and sadness. What a wonderful way, and so appropriate, to end the pilgrimage at/with a mass. Sure hope you have some good recuperation time, now, and that your ankle gets better in a hurry, Li. Safe travels returning home......
Posted by: Karen | October 24, 2015 at 03:45 PM
It has been amazing "following" you on this journey. What an accomplishment!
Posted by: Lorette | October 24, 2015 at 04:05 PM
I usually can talk for hours but I'm speechless! Congratulations pilgrims! Lunch withLyn today she found a spot here in Cat City she really loved - it was SO good. She looks great! See you guys soon we'll raise a glass or 2!
Posted by: Margaret Smith | October 24, 2015 at 04:21 PM
Fantastic !!!
All the Best !!!!
Posted by: Rosie | October 24, 2015 at 10:05 PM
Congratulations to you both! I’m in awe of your accomplishment, especially having to cope with pain, yet continuing to walk on to your goal. Thank you for sharing the journey in words and pictures, I’ve had fun ‘walking’ with you.
Posted by: Kristen | October 25, 2015 at 04:35 AM
What a wonderful accomplishment! I, too am sad to see it end. I have so looked forward to reading your account of your journey every day. So proud of you both!!
Posted by: Dorothy | October 25, 2015 at 08:22 AM
YAY!!!!! congratulations! you made it!!!! That's fantastic and amazing and wonderful. And thanks for taking us along with you. It was an enjoyable trip. Actually the best trip since we didn't have to walk, sweat, deal with critters, etc. you did the hard part!
Posted by: Carol King | October 31, 2015 at 01:01 PM