Day 35. Santiago

Buen Camino!!  The picture tells it all. We arrived at the Praza Obradoiro in front of the Cathedral. Can you see how excited we are?

It was fun watching other pilgrims enter the plaza. Some would run in to join their friends who arrived before them. 

Others would flop down in the middle of the plaza with relief and joy. Kissing the ground was done by many. 

There were groups who would pose together, proud of their accomplishment. 

Shouts of joy with hands up was a common pose. 

And sometimes you would see a lone pilgrim taking in the sight and reflecting on the journey just completed.  A wonderful place to see fellow pilgrims that you met during the Camino. 

Their was a festival feeling and excitement in the air.  Vendors in costume would try to sell souvenirs.  

Here are two interesting pilgrims. This is a "human statue" who will let you get a picture taken with him for a donation. He even provides props. We felt like we were at a fair. 

But there was business to be done so it was off to the Pilgrim's Office to collect the Compestella.  After a wait of 20 minutes it was time to present the credential, the pilgrim's passport. 

Everything checked out!!  The credential was certified and the last "sello" received was:  "Officina del Peregrino".  Now it is time to show off the certificate. We are now ready to come home!! Thanks for joining me on this trip and soon the class shell will be delivered to the classroom.

Buen Camino!!

Day 33 & 34. Buente to Arzua to Pedrouzo

One short walking day and one longer walking day, but we are closer to Santiago.  We continue to walk through farmland which tends to look all the same. 

These buildings are everywhere in Galicia. There are old ones falling apart and brand news ones that are built to fit the landscape of the farm or house.  This one is outside a cafe. Historically they were storage bins for corn or other vegetables. Now they are not used but people build them to keep up the tradition and add something interesting to the yard. 

The plazas are such a great places to sit and watch people walk by or just sit at a cafe. In Arzua the sun was shining so it was nice to sit in the plaza which is usually in the centre of town and enjoy the great day

Today I started the day with a smaller breakfast. Remember the croissant in Azofra.   This is a mini croissant. 

Here are Sallie, Perry, the class shell (which is on my back) and myself at the the 20k marker.  Walked past this a kilometre or two before the hotel. Sleep well, tomorrow is a big day. We are walking into Santiago!!

Buen Camino!!!

Day 32. Palas de Rei to Boente

Another day without rain and pilgrims are enjoying the sun. Leaving the city today, was a steady stream of pilgrims, those that have been on the road for over a month and those that just started in Sarria to do the minimum 100k. At times it looked like a parade.  You can still find quiet like this road through the forest and was surprised to see eucalyptus trees. Those trees are found in Australia but you see them here in Galacia. 

Many villages have walls like this along the Camino. A wide variety of moss, ivy, flowers and other vegetation grow on these walls. 

On this Camino we have walked through many Roman and Spanish gates while entering or leaving a place. However, sometimes nature builds its own gate.  Where could this gate be leading??

Fifty kilometres to Santiago!

Day 31 Gonzar to Palas de Rei

No rain today so it was wonderful walking through woodlands and farm areas. Now that we are getting closer to Santiago, there are small villages and towns often. Today our walk ended at Palas de Rei, a town of 4,500 people. 

As we were exploring the town we came across red tents and people gathered. A shipment of "polpo" (octopus) just arrived and cooks were busy boiling it and cutting it up. Customers were waiting with their containers to take home for dinner. The man explained that this happens two times a month. 

Further down the street locals were enjoying polpo right away with "pan".  We decided to join them. 

Here is our plate of octopus bioiled, cut up, and served in oil, garlic, and cayenne pepper. 

And yes I tried it and enjoyed it. It was fun experiencing this with local people who would talk to us in rapid Spanish and then smile.   We would just say "si" and keep on eating. 

The numbers on the markers keep getting smaller. Not long now. 

Day 30. Morgade to Portomarin

Light rain greeted us this morning but soon the skies began to brighten. A beautiful walk today that often went through wooded areas. The rain and fog made it look like a fairytale scene. 

The region of Galicia has placed these markers every half kilometre all the way to Santiago. It's nice to have another sign to look for to make sure you are following the right path. Today we passed the 90 kilometre mark. Not long to go. 

Submerged under this reservoir are the ruins of a village that had monuments and a Romanesque church. They were taken apart and rebuilt in the present city before the valley was flooded due to a dam. 

This steep staircase is part of the original medieval bridge that now leads to the city. 

The stairs lead to this gate. 

Another pilgrim statue only this one is pointing in the wrong direction. What is that about??!!??  

Buen Camino. 

Day 28/29. Fonfria to San Mamede to Morgade

"Rain, rain go away. Come again some other day."  Yes, I've been singing that song lately. Two more days of rain.  

Although the scenery is beautiful and the villages are interesting you miss much when it rains because you are looking down all the time. Mud and wet rocks means you have to watch your step. 

Sometimes you share the path with interesting "peregrinos".  We let them go first.  They're bigger. 

The sun did peek out for awhile. Although it rained, we were not cold and the rain was lighter today. Clothes were not as wet as yesterday. 

Many albergues and cafes decorate outside their business to attract business.  Here Shrek is keeping guard on me and your shell. We will continue our "singing in the rain."  

Buen Camino 

Day 27. Ruitelan to Fonfria

Today was the big climb to O Cebreiro. It's 8km to the top with a 600m elevation gain and then another 12 km of up & down to Fonfria.  However, we woke up to fog and snow - not how we wanted to start the day.  Well, one step in front of the other. 

Stopping in every little town on the way up helps get warm and dry and its good to hear words of encouragement from others. Entering this pathway we heard bells from the church which meant we were near.  Keep chugging!!

So many people have said that the top of O Cebreiro is a beautiful 360 degree view. Not today!!

Going downhill can be dangerous, especially on a day like today when it is so wet. After the descent there is more walking and then another climb to Alto de Polo, the highest point in Galicia. 

Posing with another pilgrim. 

Even on a grey, cloudy day there is brightness and colour.  Buen Camino!

Day 25 & 26 Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo to Ruitelan

Leaving Ponferrada early in the morning we are greeted by a chorus of birds. The birds are noisy in Spain but also interesting. 

Take the stork for instance, the bird at the very top of the nest. We see storks everywhere. Storks like to build nests on top of a church or a bell tower or a silo - not a tree. Why is that?  Some towns build special poles so the storks will build nests on those instead of buildings. How do they get the stork to build a nest there?  These are all good questions for Grade 3/4 students!!

Poppies were everywhere today. What special day in Canada is the poppy used as a symbol?

Another beautiful rest area on the way to Villafranca. Hey, did you notice the Camino pack is back on the trail? My leg is good and we are set for the rest of the walk into Santiago de Compestella. 

The vineyards and farmland are surrounded by mountains which provides great scenery while walking. 

As we were walking into Villafranca four Australians marched through the town singing "Sweet Caroline".   They were moving fast to find a place to sleep. 

Here is the view from our window. 

There are three ways to walk out of Villafranca - hard, harder, and madness!  The harder route looks like fun.  Over the hill and through the woods to Ruitlan we go!!  It was very steep at the beginning and then became more like rolling hills. The walking was strenuous today but it was a good path to take since it overlooked the valley and you could see forever. 

Sometimes you have to make your own rest areas. Here we are having lunch on a bridge. 

After lunch we continued to follow the river into Ruitlan. Your class shell and I are having fun and seeing many new places. Are you ready for the last two weeks of the journey??  Then it is back to North Battleford.