The Pilgrim Office and Cathedral

After the historical tour, I headed to the Pilgrims Office which is very 21st century organized … after all, over 2000 pilgrims checked in as arriving yesterday. I paid €3 to have the Compestela with the 115 km added and bought a travel tube and small pin to mark the occasion. Then, after getting a couple of souvenirs, headed to the cathedral. This is one of three Christian pilgrimage destinations the other two being Jerusalem and Rome. It is amazing today and must have seem other worldly in the Middle Ages. It somehow seemed a very intimate cathedral as we were allowed to go downstairs to the tomb of Saint James as well as walk in and out of the high altar where it is customary for many to give him a hug, The man behind me did so and I was reminded to touch St James shoulder; one is just not used to being able to touch this type of thing. With time now short, I headed back to the cafeteria I ate at last night before and was again very happy with my salad and burger. Finally, a slice of very delicious almond Santiago cake and an Americano. Found my way back to pick up some almond cookies from a nun at the monastery as the shutters in the wall were now open. I returned to the hotel and the walk at 89 F reminded me how fortunate I have been on my Camino with the weather.

Called a taxi to head to the bus station which took me to the Porto Airport to fly out the next day. It took 1.5 hours drive to reach Valenca which is just across the bridge from Spain and the other common starting point that will earn the minimum distance for a Compostela. It is actually pretty far indeed!Read more