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
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
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.
We were welcomed by Julia and Diego who run this Albergues.
Albergues are run by municipals or private. These are people dedicated to supporting pilgrims for a place to stay. Without them there would be no Camino.
In the table below are filled with pilgrims from alll over the world – this it is Canada, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Portugal.
Buen Camino
We had aride to just past the top of the hill and we walked down to Rubiaes where we were staying for the night.
Andre serves the best coffee which he gets from Italy. The pastries are out of this world. No wonder i am not losing weight 😀😀. Even though we only have 1 mean a day the beer, wine and pastries will you up.
Every house or farm grow their own vines and make their own wine.
Buen Camino
Day started with wonderful breakfast at Casa Fernanda.
As you can see we caught up Fr. Benard from Dublin.
Scenes walking to Ponte de Lima 17 km from Casa Fernanda.
We wrote our names as well as Tarah, Kevin, Ken, Lynne, Chris, Ceira and Rowyn will walk in our footsteps on the Camino. Should have written TKKL.
more scenes getting here.
Buen Camino
It looks easy on the map until you walk it.
It is rocky and hilly with lots of ups and downs. We have lots of aches and pains for the 3rd of walking. But this is the Camino and pilgrimage suppose to be hard.
Most fields have vineyards at edge of every field. Some of the routes take us out of the roads.
It took another hour to find the hotel as google map doesn’t seem to work well.
So add another 2 km to the 15 for distance. Pretty sore. We will see how we manage tomorrow.
Many pilgrims send their bags forward but is another idea. We feel we have to carry our burdens but man it is difficult when you are 70.
Buen Camino
After a good breakfast we started out following the signs of the Camino. We are the only pilgrims on the road until after climbing a steep hill at Bagunte.
Crossing the bridge and climbing the hill. Then we reached the top and had a lovely chat with Diana
2 lady pilgrims caught up to us, our first contact of Peregrinos. But they were in a hurry. Then another Peregrino caught up to us. It is Fr. Bernard from Dublin, Ireland. We chatted for several kilometres.
That is looking at Arcos. Then Bernard took a picture of this lovely couple doing the pilgrimage.😊
Then met Noa and Nir from Israel but they are ”just Jews” 😀😀 doing the Camino. Benard took off to get out of the heat but we walked with couple to Rates.
Let Remi and Alberto and the other Knights of Columbus at St. Mark’s know I am representing by wearing the shirt.
Buen Camino
We took the Povoa de Varzim express so it didnt stop at our station so tracked back to Villar do Pinheiro.
Since started around 10 :30, it was too hot. Kay asked where all the signs for Camino. We walked a few for steps and there were the signs showing the way. No shoulders and very narrow roads
We are recuperating at Casa Vidal Familia.
Buen Camino
The Alexander Camino 