Photo: My first Camino glee of completion
Firstly deep gratitude to Tom Gustafson for loaning me this fantastic poncho. I didn’t need to use it until today, and it lightly rained nearly the entire 16 miles into Santiago from Padron, except for the last hour.
Coming into the Santiago Cathedral ended up feeling bigger than anticipated. As I got close I felt emotion rise in me as I saw the tall cathedral in the distance. Then I came upon the three young, delightful English women I wrote about and have pictured earlier in the blog. They was so excited to see me that it added to my emotion. We talked about our Camino walks and said goodbye and Buen Camino. Then as I entered the Cathedral plaza I came upon the 3 generation family from Washington state that I walked the good portion of a day with and also wrote about in this blog! I couldn’t believe it! They enthusiastically welcomed me, (even the two teenaged boys!) embraced me, and invited me to join them for dinner tomorrow night at the highly acclaimed Paragon restaurant. I couldn’t have asked for more upon finishing my Camino — a whole hearted, exuberant welcoming.
After settling into my sweet accommodations, Hotel Rua Villar, I met my Camino Swedish friend Ingrid for dinner and drinks. And then I slept really, really well, having completed my first Camino.
It was a great day!!!!
PS —- I have been watching the Pamplona “running of the bulls” nearly daily. They have been having the event at 8 a.m. for the last 7 days of my Camino, and I am often getting my cafe con leche at about that time and most cafe’s broadcast the “running.” I have to include a couple of pictures of this historic event (dating back to the 13th century). Since they have kept records of the event — 1910 — there have been 15 deaths and many, many injuries.
