Monday, August 25, 2014

Santiago de Compostela

June 14 Santiago de Compestela
We left our lovely albergue in Santa Irene after a good nights sleep and a delicious homemade dinner. We met George in fromt of a cafe Che in Pedrouzo. After a cup of coffee and toast with jam, we started our last treck together. We walked up some dirt roads with probably more pilgrims than we had seen in a month. We passed through a town called Lavacolla. In the old years, the pilgrims would wash themselves from head to foot in a little brook before entering Santiago. We of course have had so much rain we felt well washed. Finally we arrived at Monte de Gozo. Translated it means mount of joy. This is the place where you could see the towers of the cathedral about 5k away until the city grew so big as it is today. The Cathedral of Santiago whose construction began in 1075 is one of the great European monuments. From its Romanesque origins it evolved through a number of styles. The baroque elements are probably the most out standing. During a visit to the cathedral the pilgrims carry out a ritual. You go to the chapel of the main alter to touch or embrace the statue of St James the apostle. You then go to the pilgrims office to receive your Compestela that certifys you made the pilgrimage. We walked through the cathedral and waited in line at the pilgrims office for our Compestela. Afterwards, we went to the Hostel Bolarado and George went to an Albergue he has stayed at several times. We met for lunch and George treated us to a delicious lunch at the resturaunt Casa Manolo which is well known in Santiago. After a walk and another beer we had to say good by to our friend and leader, George. He will be walking on to Finisterra and Muxia.
We would like to give a special thanks to the people of Spain from the cafe owners, hosteleros, small in keepers, to the people on the street who helped and encouraged us.
"Often I look up into the clouds and daydream about a better world. But my dreams will never bear fruit unless I keep turning my eyes again and again back to the dust of this earth and listening to what God is saying to me on the road of life. For I am connected to the earth and to all who walk the earth with me. Nature is not the background to our lives; it is a living gift that teaches us about the ways and will of the Creator." Reflexion from the Henri Nouwen Society. Sent to us by John Pigott.

Many pilgrims.
Getting closer.
Finally sun at the Mt. Gozo
Mountain of Joy.
Our Grandest reward. Cathedral at Santiago.
Who carried whom?
A Back street
Casa Manolo. Thank you George for the final delicious meal and wearing your new pants.
George, once you stop walking you will have to cut back on portion size.
Lined up to receive Compostela.
The End. Thanks for joining us. Joan and Stu
OTHER BLOGS:
Caminowalkabout.blogspot.com (Frances, Finisterra, Muxia)


Click on "View on Map" below
Stu uses MotionX-GPS on the iPhone and is sharing with you the following track:
Name: Santiago de Compestela
Date: Jun 14, 2013 6:21 am
Map:
(valid until Dec 11, 2013)
View on Map
Distance: 23.4 kilometers
Elapsed Time: 5:23:29
Avg Speed: 4.3 km/h
Max Speed: 5.8 km/h
Avg Pace: 13' 49" per km
Min Altitude: 246 m
Max Altitude: 400 m
Start Time: 2013-06-14T04:21:12Z
Start Location:
Latitude: 42º 55' 01" N
Longitude: 8º 19' 56" W
End Location:
Latitude: 42º 52' 47" N
Longitude: 8º 32' 33" W