Elated to reach our destination Santiago de Compostella. We felt exhausted and at the time happy we have completed our Camino – mi esposa y completamos nuestro camino.
We feel happy to see fellow peregrinos we met during the camino at Santiago.
We went for the Pilgrims Mass and the Cathedral was packed wall to wall.
We sat in an ideal spot to watch the giant incense swing. i videoed the event but cant post on this site.
Well it is time to rest and recover.
Buen Camino
Not much scenery as more asphalt. Met Sidney and her Mom, Patti from Abbotsford making their first Camino as well.
We ran into Martin again in Milladorio.
The Albergue looks brand new with private bunk beds to close off with a curtain. Beds were comfortable. Getting to bed early so we can start early on our final day.
Buen Camino
This is possibly the resting place of St. James’ relics for a period when the ship arrived from Alexandria to Padron.
The Blessed Virgin Mary had a lot of influence on St. James apostolate – that is why you see statues of St. James and beside him the Statue of Mary.
We came across Tamara pushing Michelle along the way out of Padron. Michelle is 3 years old and Tamara was saying she is ready for this trip And started from Porto. They had to stop now and then as Michelle wanted to rescue the snails crossing the paths. We walked along with them for awhile. She could walk or run 3 km at a time. I better not complain about my aches and pains. I forgot to ask how sleeping accommodations worked for them.
Then we met Barbara and Evonne from Cork, Ireland near the Church. We chatted about Cork and Murphys/Guiness for awhile but they had to take off as they wanted to reach Santiago which was about 16 km away.
Roman is from Poland and he comes from the same town as Roman Polanski, so we won’t forget his name.
Went for lunch in Picarana and ran into a few Americans from California. The picante sauce with food was so good. It didn’t taste that hot so i kept adding to my food. However, there is a reason why they called it Galician’s hell. You pay for it the next day. 😀😀
Mark is Japanese who is married to an American and his father disowned him. He lives in Orange County and his sons became Jewish. Not sure his whole family is Jewish but they celebrate all the Jewish holidays.
Buen Camino
It was a constant drizzle most of the day heavier sometimes towards Padron.
Jose, owner and his sister, at Bar Los Camionereos took good care of us. This is where Martin introduced me herbias, the Spanish liquer. Tastes awesome and meant to settle your stomach after dinner.
Padron is where the ship carrying the bones of St. James came. Story has it he was buried here first, prior to moving his remains to Santiago de Compostella.
Kay watches each milestone as we walk by reading off the km.
Buen Camino
Forecast was rain and more rain, however St. James was kind – we didn’t too wet. Along the way we met Judy and David from Ottawa and Cesar.
We talked and talked and before we realized we had reached our destination. Judy, David and Cesar were continuing onto Padron but we were staying in the municipal Albergue Walga.
Municipal Albergues are run by the city and this one has 3 dormatories and 75 beds. Maria was on duty and she put the seniors in one room and the young people in another room.
This is €8 per person and you get a bit of bedding. That is it. There are private Albergues that cost a bit more for bedding and provide a dinner and breakfast. For the food it is donation, hopefully everyone gives from the heart.
One of the best parts of the Camino is meeting pilgrims from so many different countries, different ages, at different stages in life, walking for different reasons but all having one goal in mind – to get to Santiago de Compostela.
Buen Camino
The marker is 55 km to Santiago. Getting closer by the day. It was a rainy day and we got quite wet.
After arriving at Caldas de Reis we found a cafe with the Portuguese pastry – first time in Spain. So had to have one and smiled away while she ate.
Sunday – went to Mass at 8 pm. It is amazing to see 6 mini altars besides the main altar. Wish there was someone to explain this. There is not much to see in Caldas.
We found the place we were staying quite easily.
Buen Camino
As we left Pontevedra it was quiet compared to the Friday night party that kept many people awake.
The path is well marked and keep you in wooded paths. We met 2 ladies from Winnpeg. Then we a family with a pram with a little girl going on the Camino. A family with 2 boys and a number of people riding bikes on the Camino..
Kay is standing by a Roman marker. You can see on the sign how ancient this road we are going on.
Pedro is the Hospitaler the welcomed us at the Albergue Portela. Normally the pilgrims cook but With Covid food was brought in.
We had a pilgrim dinner with pilgrims from all over the world. The wall is a testament of hundreds of pilgrims who stayed here. Lack of space i wrote on the door jam. Pedro asked me to write something in Malay.
We met a lovely couple from Lithuania – Ivea and David.
Buen Camino
We found the Sanctuary of the Apparition by accident and spent some time here.
After Fatima Lucy came here and joined the convent. Mary appeared to Lucy several times. The priest narrated this to Kay: One day Lucy was taking out the garbage and a little boy was walking by and asked her to say this prayer. Lucy didn’t think much of it and went about her day. The next day Lucy was taking out the garbage again and there was the little boy and he saiid ”Did you say the prayer I gave you? Then he said ”My mother asked me to give you the pray”. Then Lucy realized she was talking to the Child Jesus.
The beauty of taking it slow on the Camino is finding these little gems along the way.
Buen Camino
If you plan to convert $US or any currency in Spain, forget it!! Firstly there are no money changers and banks require you to have an account before you can do it.
Minhaz offered to help me but It is a process from hell at the bank Santander. First take a number based on transaction. At the big branch one teller was working. After finally getting to teller and how much i could change based on Minhaz account, she mentioned to go to another desk. Repeat process. Then new person on first day of work Minhaz could do any transaction except exchange $. Then he called his friend, a famous chef Anis who helped complete my transaction. ATM is fine.
Then we toured the ruins of San Domingo 12 century.
Went the Cathedral of Santa Maria, including climbing up the bell tower for the view.
Finished dinnner at Anis’ restaurant La Estafeta. He took good care of us. Food was excellent. Best cod fish i had with tartar la habuela.
The hike was steep and a good climb until we arrived in Pontevedra around 12.1 km.
Having a Vodaphone that provides 25 GB of data for €10 is a steal compared to Canada as it is highway robbery there.
We went for a prergrino mass at the Church of Peregrinos. At the altar there scallop shell above the statue of St. James. The priest gave special blessing for the pilgrims.
After Mass we found an Indian Restaurant. We had nan, lamb Rogan Josh which is Kay’s favourite, vegetables and rice.
It is called New Bombay Palace. It is run by Minhaz and his uncle. The food was delicious and better still different from tapas.
Chicken tandori came in a hot plate. The road sign reminded us Lisa Villaverde and family. who knows her family come from around here.
Casa Maruja is in a plaza so on the nosy part of town but important sites are closeby.
Buen Camino
The Alexander Camino 