The day broke clear for our final steps to the Cathedral in Santiago. Viewed on a map, this was always the goal . But the destinations within each of us were many, varied, and often different than what had been “planned”.

Our hotelier provided us with a nice breakfast and heartfelt wishes for the day and the future. Irene and Manuela left early but not without departing embraces. We walked the final 12 km with our Canadian friends, Tom and Nanci, alternating between periods of conversation and the silence of contemplation. 14 days, 250 km, and approximately 420,000 steps…

The entry into the Cathedral square was familiar, and I couldn’t help but look for the faces from 2013… Kris, Maggie,Jacobien , Henk, Christine and Gaby, Roberto, Jack, Jenny…. you were among those in my thoughts and carried in my heart from that Camino. You are now joined by the 2018 members of my Camino family. Also with me in spirit were each of you who have followed our progress through my “Thoughts”, a number that passed 10,000 visits to those posts on that day.

The line of pilgrims waiting to receive their Compostela was intimidating, but the efficient Pilgrim’s Office had us in and out in 45 minutes. Somehow, the woman who greeted me at the counter was able to look into my eyes and extend her hand to me, “Congratulations and welcome, sir.” as if I were the only reason that she was there.

Certificates in hand, the four of us adjourned to a nearby cafe to toast our accomplishment. Out of the thousands of pilgrims milling about emerged some who we had met on The Way, notably Faris and Stanislaw, our friends from Germany. Absent were Ina and Reiner who returned home earlier in the day, and Kirsti, Sirkka, and Jim, who we still hope to see. We planned to meet for dinner and I to celebrate with my favorite Galicia dish, Pulpo (grilled octopus).

Today, May 4th, we will attend the Pilgrim’s Mass at the Cathedral. Perhaps they will swing the Botafumeiro. They will announce at Mass the number of Peregrinos who entered Santiago yesterday, the places that we are from, and where we started the journey as viewed on a map. Of course, the starting places within each of us were many, varied, and often found to be different than what we once believed.

Peace Everyone. Pete

PS. We fly to Dublin Ireland on Sunday and start the next chapter of this Journey. Until then I will likely take a 2 day vacation from my thoughts. Thank you for following.

There are those few, rare, and precious days in one’s life that can not be planned, purchased, or explained. I will resist the urge to depreciate with my words what occurred today, and instead allow my images to convey the day to you.

Peace Everyone. Pete

We did our best to avoid expectations based upon a comparison of this Camino to our 2013 Camino. Nevertheless, we have been feeling a silent disappointment that the deep friendships formed in 2013 seemed to be missing from this pilgrimage…. until today.

Before today we had speculated that not staying in more Albergues might be the reason, or… the weather… or the route…

What we failed to consider is that it takes time for relationships to form, interconnect, and then coalesce into a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. It was so in 2013, and that became apparent to us today, 11 days into the Camino. The difference is not when the relationships crystallized, but that we still had over 20 days ahead of us in 2013, whereas in 2018 we are just 50 km from Santiago after 11 days on this journey.

The day began cold and overcast with a threat of rain. Soon the sky began to clear and as if on cue, a “family” formed from the random Perigrinos who had stopped at a rural cafe. Everyone seemed to know someone who knew someone… until a degree of separation connected everyone on this Camino. It was a sudden and very moving experience!

A random comment to us from a Canadian couple turned into a nonstop conversation that seemed to transport us across 10 kilometers in the blink of an eye. Tom and Nanci were our doppelgängers from Ottawa. Each topic revealed a new thing or experience that we had in common. It was uncanny.

We joined them, along with Irene from Switzerland, for dinner this evening. We will be staying at the same Casa Rural the night before we enter Santiago and we look forward to more time together with them.

The lesson continues to be that there can be no disappointments if there are no expectations. Additionally, focusing on expectations may prevent one from appreciating the unexpected.

The weather report for Santiago tomorrow is a low temperature of 3c (30’s Fahrenheit) with a threat of snow flurries! The relationship report is sunny, warm, and not a cloud in sight.

Peace Everyone! Pete

After a long and difficult walk we entered the old central district of Pontevedra. We bypassed all the Pilgrim Albergues and entered the first “upscale” hotel we encountered. Approaching the reception desk I asked the clerk if there were any rooms available. With an apologetic look she replied in heavily accented English, “Yes, but the cost is 85 euros.” The manner of her response struck both of us as strange, but I said yes and we registered for 2 nights.

When we got to our room I came to understand the reason for the hotel clerk’s reaction. Looking in the mirror I saw Peter Schloss, homeless person. After more than a week on the Camino, Perigrinos tend to have “a certain look”. The skin becomes tanned and weather-worn, clothing is a bit rumpled and has accumulated a variety of stains, shaving has become optional, the hair is a bit shaggy… perhaps the only thing distinguishing a pilgrim from some who are truly homeless is the scallop shell that most pilgrims wear.

It is Sunday and getting laundry done would be a good thing. Unfortunately, this hotel charges by the item… 3 euros for a shirt, 2.50 for trousers, 1 euro for socks. At that rate it would cost more than our clothing is worth. Typically, laundry can be done at a self-serve, or Albergue for between 5 and 10 euros for a large load. It looks like we will delay washing clothes for another day or two. Any longer and my clothes will begin walking on their own.

The Perigrina Church is just around the corner from us. It is a stunning and unusual design constructed in 1778 with a floor plan in the shape of a scallop shell. We plan on attending the Pilgrim’s Mass today.

(Update: We attended 1 pm Mass. Most Peregrinos are walking toward Santiago, but we are happy to sit out this cold, wet, dreary day. Mass was in Spanish and attended largely by locals. I may not understand the language but I am moved by the shared spirituality.)

We have exchanged messages with Irene and Manuela, our friends from Switzerland. We look forward to dinner with them this evening at a restaurant recommended by our good friend Kris who we met on the Camino in 2013. It is the gift of the Camino that it intertwines lives in beautiful and unexpected ways.

We are less than 100 km (60 miles) from Santiago. The significance is 2 fold: One must walk the last 100 km as a continuous journey in order to receive a Compostela (certificate of completion). Thus the second significance is that many Pilgrims who travel with arranged groups begin their Camino just beyond the 100 km point. The path becomes more populated and the risk of fully occupied Albergues and alternative accommodations increases.

Tomorrow is a 22+ km day. Given the concerns of the distance, Christine’s stamina, the predicted rain, and the risk of full accommodations, we have made a reservation at a pension in Caldas de Reis and arranged for transport of our packs. We estimate that we will arrive in Santiago on May 3rd or 4th.

Peace Everyone. Pete