Santiago de Compostela, Spain
October 4, 2022
Dear Family & Friends:
Pedrouza to Santiago de Compostela, October 3, 2022 (14.9 miles)
Our last day on the Camino de Santiago was fun, easy and emotional. We took our time and enjoyed the beautiful views. We left Pedrouza at 9 am and arrived in Santiago de Compostela at 3 pm. When we finally made our way through this large city to the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela, we were overcome by the stunning beauty of this magnificent Church. We were fortunate to book rooms in the Hostal Reis Catolicos, which is next to the Cathedral. Our state-run hotel is one of the finest hotels I have ever booked, and I have stayed at some really nice hotels. The hotel was formerly a Pilgrim’s hospital. We had drinks on the hotel terrace and were fortunate to meet with dear friends, Mark and Cathy Priest, who had just completed a bicycle journey from Portugal to Santiago de Compostela and then from Santiago de Compostela to Finisterre. We had a wonderful dinner near the hotel, followed by ice cream cones for desert. On the way back to the hotel, a group of Spanish singers serenaded the crowd across from the Cathedral. We joined in the fun, and Papa’s Pilgrims danced to the music.
Rest day in Santiago de Compostela, October 4, 2022
Our day started with a full breakfast in the hotel. We then attended a noon Mass at the Cathedral. This was a moving experience for us because we are so blessed. The service concluded with a Botafumerio, We then walked over to the Pilgrim’s Office to pick up our Certificates of Completion. What fantastic documents to mark our achievement. I walked 483.5 miles on the Camino Frances and Papa’s Pilgrims walked 150 miles. We took the rest of the afternoon off, each one of us choosing our own activity. Tonight, we will have dinner at the hotel, and we plan to watch the Spanish singers perform again.
Tomorrow, Lisa and Lori return home. Amy and Elle plan to spend a few days in Barcelona and Madrid before returning home. I plan to continue my journey to Finisterre (“The End of the World”), a distance of 55.5 miles from Santiago de Compostela. From Finisterre, I will walk to Muxia, another 18.2 miles. I will take a bus back to Santiago de Compostela and then return home.
God is Good.
Pedrouza to Santiago de Compostela
Approaching Santiago de Compostela
The Cathedral of St. James, the Apostle
Our hotel
The seat of government (City Hall)
Meeting with Mark and Cathy
Spanish performers
Rest Day in Santiago de Compostela
Attending Mass
Celebrating with our Certificates of Completion
Enjoying our rest day
Our last meal together
Desert and drinks
The Cathedral at night
Our Spanish musician friends
Quite and end to an awesome adventure!
Bill and gals….so glad you got to savor the Botafumerio…a true highlight to mark the end of your incredible journey with a few more miles added on. Safe journey these next few days and happy trip home where I am sure Sharon is anxiously awaiting your return just like from your Everest journeys.
Namaste,
John
🙂
Thank you so much for letting me follow you . You have been an inspiration to us all .
Namaste !!
Thanks for letting us follow you on your journey. Melissa and I enjoy your posts.
Overjoyed for Bill, Lisa, and rest of Papa’s Pilgrims. What a beautiful family! Such an amazing achievement, and not over yet. Mass in the Cathedral must have been very moving.
Grateful for Bill’s vivid blogs. Wonderful description of your experiences. Very honest portrayal of amazing highs as well as challenges which you weathered with grace. And of course all the fabulous photos.
Thank you so much for this wonderful gift.
Buen Camino as you head for Finisterre!
Hope to see you on a future Camino with our chapter of the American Pilgrims!
Bill,
Thanks so much for sharing your (and family) Camino journey with all of us. It was a true delight to open your email and find so much about almost every bends in the road. Your a great writer!
God Bless.
Next?
Bud Swanson
Bill and family,
With a Santiago completion, you have achieved a 5-star trek and savored fabulous Spanish cuisine while experiencing many World Heritage Sites—well done!
Blessings on the next leg of your journey.
Rick
What an incredible journey that ended with family. It can’t get better than that! Loved your descriptions that were always so honest! So glad all 3 generations could be together in bond in the challenging yet beautiful experiences of this walk. It will be hard to lose your pilgrims tomorrow, but how wonderful to contemplate all this walk gave to you the next couple of days while alone. Thanks, as always, Bill, for enriching my life with your experiences!
maria
Bill
It was fun meeting up with you and Papas Pilgrims in SdC. To be honest it looked like you had only walked around the block not 500 miles!
So glad you got to experience the mass and The big B!
Can’t wait to hear about the rest of your journey. It will be fun to reflect on your family as you walk west and come upon the big view of the ocean!
See you back in The OC!
Congratulations to all of you Pilgrims..
Both Sharon and myself have so very much enjoyed reading and remembering this memorable adventure.
Thank you so much for writing this Blog
You are a true inspiration..
All the best
Craig and Sharon
Your remarkable latest achievement will inspire countless pilgrims to emulate you.
I’m grateful to have joined you (metaphorically) on your many adventures. Thanks Bill. You’re truly blessed!
Bill- it’s been an honor following all of your epic journeys from where we live, so it was a real kick meeting you at the completion/near completion of our Caminos! What fun sharing some of the many stories on the patio near the cathedral with your family. All the best.
Papa! You amaze, delight with your beautiful descriptions, photo’s and video’s…it brings all of us spectators right in, to enjoy this amazing experience! You continue to inspire many with your strong sense of adventure and admiration of what God has gifted us!
Such a moving spiritual journey that reached all of us that were not walking right there with you!
thanks for being so generous and allowing us that opportunity!
Sending many blessings of love to a great family!
I knew you would make it! Loved the pictures and diary reads.
Congrats and enjoyed journeying alongside your blog! Safe travels