Sunday, September 17, 2017

Sept 17;O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela. 20.1

Got a very early start today - 5:00.
After walking for two weeks the walking has become easier. Much easier. I walked in the forest in total darkness for the first two hours. I had Terri's head light so it was an amazing experience. I can honestly say my childhood fear of the dark is gone. About an hour into it I started to lose clarity in my vision..
 I thought the light was running low on battery power but it ended up that my glasses were fogging up. I had been climbing a big hill and did not realize I was heating up. A week ago I would have had to stop several times to catch my breath. The human body is amazing. Well mine anyway (joking).

I don't stop for many photos as I was obsessed with getting to the noon Mass at the big Cathedral. I made it into town at 10 had a shower and was in church by 11:00.

I must say walking into the big square was a bit anticlimactic. It was both a happy and sad feeling.

Church was amazing. Over 20 priests and 1,000 people. Sitting there I got a little overwhelmed with all that has happened this summer; retirement, selling our home and finishing the Camino. An older Spanish lady sitting next to elbowed me and passed me a Kleenex.   She smiled as to acknowledge that my reaction was a common emotion for a pilgrim.

First town- breakfast stop

The beer companies are getting into the action 

Rural outdoor vending machines. Want a beer at 5:30 Sunday morning? No problem

I came across this small coffee shop with six of these small trailers full of hunting dogs. Barking? You bet. 
The Cathedral is being repaired

Mass



Souvenir shops everywhere






Jack Mac would love this place

I'm not the only Nova Scotian in town. 







You can't take your backpack into the Cathedral. No problem. Next door there is a short term storage operation. 

Five guys from Poland did the Camino on Harleys

Line up to get our completion documents

I spent an hour or so in the main square before going to supper. It was great to see all the small groups hanging out. Most did not know each other when they started. Weird feeling as most will never see each other again. 


Great supper with ten people I got to know


Thanks for tagging along. Please consider doing this walk. It will change you for life. 
Over and out  
Don

3 comments:

  1. Thanks Don. It does sound like an amazing walk. I'm still following my other rotary friend who is behind you. I'm sure her reaction will be the same when she gets to the finish. Safe trip home.

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  2. Great to follow along with you Don, brings back so many memories. Being overwhelmed happens, it's great to be alive. I walked my Camino in 2011 and I still reflect on it. If we are lucky maybe it will stay with us forever.

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