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Spain Santiago de Compostela

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  • Jayme PorkolabJayme’s Camino Portugués
    3
    11354411
    Day 36

    Day 33 - The end of a journey?

    May 8 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 46 °F

    “It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”—-Ursula K. Le Guin

    Today , at 10:30a Santiago time, I completed my Camino. However, they say the real Camino begins when you get home. Time will tell, but I have a feeling they are right.

    I left the Aubergue early this morning and took my time even stopping a few times for a cappuccino. I guess I wanted to prolong the journey. I was surprised I didn’t see many pilgrims on the path; perhaps they all decided to sleep in.

    Arriving in front of the Cathedral was a feeling I can’t explain. I’m 70 freakin’ years old and I did it! I walked from Lisbon to Santiago! The tears flowed and I tried to hold them back as I asked a stranger to take my photo. I connected with people from all around the world. Some just exchanging polite pleasantries and others having deep, meaningful conversations. I witnessed humanity at its finest. I wish more people would travel and really connect with other cultures; perhaps then we could achieve peace on earth.

    I went to mass and was surprised and excited when they used the Botafumeiro, which is not always the case. It was just like in the movie The Way. I’ve attached a video.

    The ‘Botafumeiro’ is the famous giant thurible or censer in the Santiago de Compostela cathedral. It has been used since the Middle Ages, originally to clean the air when crowds of pilgrims, having completed the Camino de Santiago, arrived in Santiago de Compostela after their long journey

    The current ‘Botafumeiro’ dates back to 1851, and it’s made of silver-plated brass, weighing 53kgs when empty and up to 10 kgs more when full. Eight men, called ‘Tiraboleiros’, are required to operate the ‘Botafumeiro’. It was quite the sight!

    Afterwards I received my official compostela and then met my friends, the Genovese gang to celebrate.

    This afternoon, after a short nap, I also went thru Santiago’s Holy Door which is open only during Jubilee years and received an additional, special, compostela. As I was leaving the church bells were ringing throughout the city. A new Pope had been selected, an American Pope! The Catholics I spoke to were quite happy with the choice.

    Then this evening I found the perfect restaurant to have a celebratory dinner for one, the name of the restaurant was ‘Restaurant San Jaime’. I decided to refrain from telling them they spelled Jayme wrong. The food was excellent, worth every euro.

    Tomorrow Rich, Arlene, and I have foot massages booked. We will explore the city some more before we go our separate ways: me to Madrid then home and they to Paris.

    Thank you for following my journey!    Read more

  • TravelerPeregrina Romana
    11111
    Day 36

    Ankunft am Pilgerziel: Santiago de C.

    May 7 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Ein wunderbarer Tag für die Ankunft!! Wir erreichen Santiago früh, bleiben auf dem berühmten Platz der Kathedrale und nach und nach treffen so viele Mitpilger auf dem Weg ein! Man umarmt sich, macht zusammen ein Foto, schwatzt! Ein wirklich besonderer Moment! Natürlich holen alle auch ihre wohlverdiente Compostela ab, eine Urkunde in Latein, die bescheinigt, dass der Camino Frances zu Fuss zurückgelegt wurde!Read more

    See translation
  • TravelerCamino Deb
    1
    2114445
    Day 17–20

    Made it to Santiago!

    May 7 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Easy trek into Santiago today less than 5 miles from our apartment. I was surprised with so many pilgrims in route with us and how populated the center was. A very warm day and as excited to get to the finish line. The cathedral was incredible and massive!! The grounds were clean and well populated and saw few tour groups and kids school trips. Such a feeling of celebration and I was asked often to take group photos.

    We were able to reunite with Jayme for dinner tonight who started this pilgrimage with Arlene back in Lisbon.

    It has been a great experience and one I’m very proud of. I feel blessed to spend these weeks with my family and honestly impressed with my physical and mental strength. Still dealing with this cold and hoping for some slower days to recoup.

    Arlene, Rich, Kenny and I are staying an extra night in Santiago tomorrow night. Noelle leaves in the morning to Fisterra and Arlene and Rich leave Friday to Paris and Kenny and I leave Friday to Barcelona for a few days. It has been wonderful to all be together for this journey. ❤️    Read more

  • TravelerCamino Deb
    112
    Day 16–18

    In O Milladoiro now

    May 6 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Short walk from port of Vilanova this morning to 2 hour boat ride transfer to Padron, another old town with historic sites. It was quite chilly and I wondered why my backpack was lighter today and realized I was wearing 6 layered tops and still cold!!

    Kenny, Arlene and I walked 9 miles today along countryside, beautiful maze like town, highways and hills and weather did warm up and was able to shed several layers. We were looking for a taxi towards the end and Kenny found one which saved us last 2 mile. I’m still fighting this cold and Arlene and Kenny now are sick so we were thankful to get here and take a nap.

    Had a small mishap where Arlene left her cell phone in taxi and by sheer luck and perseverance we were able to reunite her with it. We say The Camino provides and it did for us today.

    Noelle found this lovely 3 bedroom apartment in town and were able to pick up pizza, calzones and salad for dinner and treat of ice cream for dessert.

    Easy day tomorrow as we are less than 5 miles to Santiago where we will enjoy the day leisurely and hope for extra rest. What a journey!!    Read more

  • TravelerSpring 2025 Camino
    3
    Day 38

    A Peña and Piaxe

    May 3 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    A big name for a small town a third of the way to Finisterre.

    After saying my goodbyes over a cafeteria breakfast in the basement of our VAST former seminary albergue, I headed out. Sad to say goodbye, thrilled to be wrapping up this Camino with a few solo days. Ending it like I started. The time alone felt really good, spiritually and also, I’m an introvert! That was a LOT of social connection for me!

    Today for the first time I saw roses! It was late in their season last time but I still saw, and photographed so many! I love them and was happy to get to say hi to some before leaving Spain.

    The last hour of my walk was…exciting? There had been rumblings and threatening skies, and then the storm arrived. It wasn’t that it lasted so long or dumped so much rain on me. It was that for a little while it was Right Over me! Like, flash-BANG! The first time that happened I’ll admit it - I screamed a little. The next few times I hunched my shoulders every time the lightning flashed. Because that’s gonna keep me alive, right? Tall trees on both sides of a narrow trail. Was that good because I wasn’t the tall object, or bad because….i don’t know. I couldn’t remember my lightning safety! I think make yourself small, just your feet on the ground, but I couldn’t get myself to do it. Just scurried along, praying manically. And, obviously, was just fine. Arrived at my albergue very shortly thereafter. Phew!

    Now I’m parked in a two-bunk room with two older French guys and a younger guy from…Croatia I think. One of whom keeps shutting the window. We are in for a needlessly stuffy night, I think. But day after tomorrow - the ocean!!    Read more

  • TravelerLiving my Camino dream
    1
    Day 19

    Santiago de Compostela

    August 31, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Wandered around the old town today, sat in the plaza at the cathedral, attended the Pilgrims mass, visited the musuem and treated myself to a fancy lunch. I must admit I still surprised when my order comes out. Finished the day with gelato and a walk through the park. Now to pack for Switzerland 🥰💜🩷💞Read more

  • N and K’s European Vacation
    1
    Day 3

    Meanwhile, in Santiago…

    June 26, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 66 °F

    (this is Kate)

    I’m in Santiago de Compostela, where I was to have finished the Camino de Santiago, met Neal, and then started my vacation as a tourist with him. Well. I got very ill at the end of the Camino and couldn’t finish. I took a train to Santiago to recover. Neal’s flight was canceled, so I’m here alone while he travels.

    Once I stopped feeling sick and a little sorry for myself, I’ve been excited to think about finishing the Camino another year, and have been poking around Santiago. It felt great to get out and walk again today (7.5 miles), this time without a plan. I’m still eating quite cautiously, so I’ll have to save seafood extravagance for next time. My best meal here so far was tomatoes - amazing.

    1. One of the courtyards at the beautiful parador of Santiago
    2. Detail on building housing a primary school
    3. Detail (crest?) on the Museo do Pobo Gallego, which was closed today
    4. and 5. Views from a trail system in town. You can see the Cathedral on the right in 4.
    6. Seen on my walk near a tunnel that went under a highway
    7. This was almost literally a wall of blue hydrangeas next to some apartments
    8., 9., 10. The famed Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela.    Read more

  • Svenssons BravaderVia de la plata 2025
    Day 30

    Santiago de Compostela

    May 20 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Då är man tillbaka i Santiago igen för ännu en natt här.

    Hade riktig sovmorgon idag för ända tiden jag hade var att gå förbi turistbyrån som öppnade 10 för att få en stämpel.

    Sen blev det bussen mot Santiago efter det ihop med Kristina. Och från buss stationen i Santiago så gjorde jag en utflykt till en känd kurva för järnvägen i Spanien. Och på de 2km jag hade dit mötte jag ett par från Canada som jag hade hälsat på för någon vecka sedan så det blev ett roligt möte.

    Själva kurvan var väl inget särskilt och endast en liten minnessten i en gräsmatta bredvid. Det var nämligen här snabbtåget körde för fort så tåget välte och 83 omkom.

    Gick sen tillbaka till Santiago och satte mig utanför katedralen och kollade på folk. Blandat med folk och fortfarande inga svenskar. Däremot ett helt gäng i rullstol.

    Tänkte sen jag skulle köpa ett märke och sätta på ryggsäcken och det blev ett intressant besök. När jag sa vad jag skulle ha så blev ägaren eld och lågor. Så det blev till att sätta sig på stolen för fotografering med skylten på leden jag gått sista dagarna. Garanterat ingen skylt som används varje dag.

    Hämtade sen ut diplomet för denna led och kvinnan bakom disken hade ingen aning om denna led men jag fick mitt diplom. Kollade statistiken för denna led i år så är det 125 personer som gått här och 115 var från Spanien så nu är man medlem i en exklusiv klubb.

    Imorgon blir det Porto med buss men förhoppningsvis före det så kommer även Alan engelsmannen till Santiago så vi hoppas på ett möte innan bussen går.

    Och när jag sitter och skriver detta utanför boendet dök även rullstolsgänget upp igen så de ska bo på samma ställe.    Read more

    See translation
  • TravelerCamino Frances
    2
    Day 29–31

    A Salceda - Santiago de Compostela

    May 20 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    haben uns schweren Herzens um 6.00 Uhr vom Tia Teresa getrennt
    bis O Pedrouzo noch angenehm ruhige Wanderung
    dann vom immer größer werdenden Strom der Pilger aufgesogen und mitgerissen
    bis Santiago nur unterbrochen durch ein Frühstückspause in O Amenal
    13.00 Uhr Ankunft mit freudiger Erwartung, Erleichterung und Freude über das Geschaffte
    unkomplizierte Abholung der Pilgerurkunde, obligatorische Fotos und Einchecken im super Hotel direkt neben der Kathedrale
    Jetzt nur noch genießen
    27,5 km tw. im Pulk aber auch alleine    Read more

    See translation
  • Portugues Camino de Santiago
    1
    Day 16

    O Sisto to Santiago de Compostela!!

    May 20 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    Santiago de Compostela is one of the most important cities in Galicia, located in the northwest of Spain, and is renowned worldwide as the final destination of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James). This historic city is not only a key pilgrimage site but also a place of incredible cultural, architectural, and gastronomic significance.

    We had breakfast at our wonderful B&B and set out on our final walking day of about 10 miles. Because there were more pilgrims on the path this close to santiago we hardly had to check our maps at all. Along the way there were a couple of musicians entertaining the pilgrims and giving out stamps, a pianist and a guitarist. We made a stop for a snack and pressed on toward Santiago, getting glimpses of the cathedral as we came closer. We arrived at the cathedral and took pictures and sat and just contemplated our journey to get there. After we checked into Praza Quintana, just a few minutes from the cathedral, we went to get our Compostelas and then to dinner.    Read more

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