Finding treasure on the Camino de Santiago

“Learn how to be happy with what you have, while you pursue what you want.” E . James Rohn

Day 10 – 29th June – Padron to Santiago de Compostella – 27kms

Kilometers walked in total;

Stephany – 280kms

Sarah – 131kms

Jacky & Nanette – 96kms

As usual we were up really early. I found myself very emotional and teary knowing it was the last day of walking and we were walking into Santiago de Compostella. We took the four musketeers down the two flights of stairs as quietly as possible and left them for the final time to be collected by Tuitrans. We bundled into a taxi with Dee and Corrine who had also stayed at the same hotel as us again, and got a taxi back to Padron. It was 6h15, Pepe was open as he promised and we all had coffees. A welcome double shot of espresso for me.

As for all other early mornings the sky was ablaze and just spectacular. There were seven us starting off together. Ann also joined us for a short while. Ann eventually after about three kms went off, and we sort of stayed with Corrine and Dee until about 10kms.

Only a couple of busy roads and a detour or two we found in Brierley made sure we had a relatively lovely walk towards Santiago. We walked quite fast actually. We surprised ourselves. It was almost alike a magnate was pulling us. We walked n silence a lot and chatted sometimes but all mostly lost in our own thoughts.

At some point i got very teary and turned to Nanette and said “I cannot believe I’m walking to Santiago with you guys, to share my special place and the Camino.” I was so overwhelmed. Gooseflesh moment.

Bizarrely we never got lost once during the entire walk, but as we walked into Santiago and got closer and closer to the Cathedral we somehow lost the arrows. Excitement I think. I could feel the excitement in my bones as we got closer, my eyes welling up over and over again. We walked up towards the Cathedral from the “traditional so called Portuguese entrance”, and then suddenly there we were in front of the Santiago de Compostella Cathedral. No scaffolding, bright sunshine, tears in all our eyes and hugs all around. Just beautiful.

The feeling of gratitude you feel when you see that Cathedral for the first time is just overwhelming. You are not only grateful for the successful completion of your walk but also for everything in your life. It is a place to quietly give thanks for all the blessings and gifts we already have in our lives. We all sat against the wall of the Town Hall facing the Cathedral all reflecting quietly and recovering i think from the fast walking. Quiet moments of just being again and just relishing in the moment. Observing all the joy and jubilation of people as they enter the square and se the Cathedral is just lovely. It really does move you.

We chatted to some Belgium cyclists who had cycled 2500 kms in 28 days. We had a good laugh when I asked them if they were cycling back. They left and we just sat there. Eventually I explained to everyone we needed to go and get our Compostella. We got to the official office and it was a two hour wait. I opted the stay as i was leaving at 6am the next day but the team reluctantly left to find the hotel. I got lucky and waited only one hour and 15 mins. I got my Compostella though, and I was pleased as punch.

Gifts; the actual luxury of walking with people you are close to and never get enough time with; the joy of sharing the entry into Santiago with Friends who know your previous Camino stories; no scaffolding on the Cathedral; a short wait for my Compostella and a delicious dinner with the gals and Dee and Corinne; mass with the whole bunch and Ann.

Tomorrow reflections on the Camino for the interested parties and lots of pics that i haven’t shown yet!