Day 32 – O Predouzo to Santiago – THE LAST DAY!

It is done!  On day 32, I walked into Santiago de Compostela.  I started in O Pedrouzo, so the walk was only about 13 miles.  I woke up early, out of excitement and to beat the crowds.  Completely unplanned, some 10 to 15 of the people I had been walking with on and off for 32 days met up along the way and we decided to all walk in together.  When we entered the outskirts of Santiago, several people that had entered the day before met us along the way.  Then as we entered the square, another 20 or so that we had walked with and had arrived earlier that day or the day before were waiting in the Cathedral square.  It was a massive celebration.  I broke into tears on seeing several of them and on the shear joy of completing the experience.  Even though it was my third time to do this, it was like the first time!

After a couple of hours of talking and picture taking and meeting more people as they entered the square, a number of us peeled off for a celebratory glass of wine.  Then MORE pilgrims that we had lost track of appeared at the bar.  Another round of hugging, laughing and crying!  I was so blessed to have met and formed relationships along the way with so many people of all ages and nationalities.

Four of us then went to the Pilgrim’s office to get our certificates.  The office is like a well-oiled machine.  We were in and out in 15 minutes.  We all dispersed to our respective overnight accommodations for a rest, to eat, and to unpack!  Mass was at 7:30, but four of us arrive at 6:15 to get good seats hoping that the Cathedral would use the Botafumeiro (translated “smoke-belcher”), allegedly the largest incense censer in the world.  If you watched The Way, you saw it near the end of the movie.  We were not disappointed.  Not only did they use the Botafumeiro, the mass was presided over by the Bishop of Santiago de Compostela!  It was the icing on the cake.  After mass, everyone once again met in the square and there was music under the stars!!  A group of musicians played and everyone celebrated.

Today is the first day in 32 days that I have not walked at least 12 miles!  I am both happy and sad that it is over with.  While I will miss all my friends that I sweated, walked, struggled, encouraged, ate, drank, cried and laughed with over the last month, I cannot wait to be home with my wife, my bed and my AC!

Honey, I will see you Friday!!