Day 32- The Way of Saint James

I made it.

I got started a little after 7:00 and the trails were pretty quiet and peaceful. I recalled walking trails, churches, rest stops and spots where I took photos all when Carla and I walked the Camino in 2023. I liked recalling Carla and I reaching Santiago together.

The walk was a breeze. Funny thing, I passed the man I raced yesterday. His head was hanging. His gait changed from stomping to shuffling. He held his sticks, sparing the Camino further injury. He moved slowly. He did not notice me as I walked by him. I felt bad for him.

When I came face to face with the Cathedral I have been seeking for the past 32 days, I dropped to my knees. It was not out of place. Large groups, small groups, solo pilgrims all celebrating making it to Santiago de Compostela in their own way. My predominate feeling was gratitude. I went to the Compostela office to receive my Credential and have my walk officially recorded in the Compostela records. I made it to the Pilgrim Mass at noon. I then went to find my lodging- a former monastery. It was a bit of a walk but whatever. I took a cold shower in a communal bathroom. I had to use Mike’s military rag as my towel. I put on nonwalking clothes and headed back to the center of town to eat and revisit the Cathedral. I bumped into Marcus and Michelle - good to see them. I passed on a late dinner and a few rounds. I have an early flight home tomorrow.

Thank you for following this journey. I drew great comfort and strength from your comments or letting me know in other ways you were following the blog. I thank my Dad for emailing me every day with happy memories of growing up and my Mom, and his spiritual support. Many thanks to my son Jack for helping me every single day to publish this blog. And to the most important person in my life, Carla, for not only supporting my desire to walk Caminos these past 3 years, but also, her daily FaceTime calls- they so lifted my spirits. Thanks to God for being with me, always.

Further defacement as we get closer to Santiago. Note someone pried off the plate showing how many kilometers to the Cathedral