Made it

After 300 miles and three weeks of walking, I'm here!

It's thrilling and sad at the same time. 

The last day of walking the Camino was filled with pilgrims. Many didn't carry packs but had a taxi or van transport them. Many were smoking, on their cellphones, or texting as they walked. A very different crowd than what I have been used to. Mona's legs were sore so she decided not to do the last day and I was on my own.

Santiago is a very joyful place. There is music in the streets. Pilgrims are laughing and hugging their Camino friends. People are eating, drinking, and talking. Even the pilgrim mass was inspiring. The priest talked about how everyone should continue their Camino in life and fight injustice and poverty. The mass ended with the monks swinging a giant incense burner over the crowd. This dates back to the middle ages when the pilgrims probably smelled pretty bad. Now it is just a symbolic purification.

So my days as a pilgrim are over. Sunday we will perform one more symbolic act and then it is to Barcelona and then home.

Buen Camino!!

First sight of the cathedral

Pilgrims enter the plaza in front of the cathedral

Me at the finish

The Parador where rich pilgrims stay for $300 a night

Pilgrims on the way to Santiago

Pilgrims meet cows

My Compostela in Latin..proof I did it

My credentials with stamps from each stop