VICTORIOUS!

standing in front of the cathedral with my certificate of completion


I made it to Santiago de Compostela!

Today was a 12 mile walk into the city of Santiago. Yesterday I wasn't sure that I'd make it. I went to bed with a heavy heart and a lot weighing on my mind. But today I woke up renewed and refreshed and ready to face whatever came.

I set out early and my knee was sore but not feeling as injured as it did yesterday. The morning was brisk and so I pulled on my sweatshirt and backpack, laced up my hiking boots, and headed for Santiago.



I walked slow today and just tried to enjoy the moment. I was purposely in no rush to make it to Santiago. I wasn't sure how long my knee would hold up and so I wanted to treat it with a little kindness and love. I also wanted to soak in the moment because I knew my journey would end today and part of  me would be sad about that. Relieved, but sad.

When I made it to Monte do Gozo just outside of Santiago, I felt very excited. Monte do Gozo is the last big hill that pilgrims climb and when it's crested, you can see the spires of the cathedral in the distance. It's a very exciting moment for pilgrims who have clawed and suffered through mile after torturous mile.

Monte do Gozo - first sight of the cathedral spires in the distance


I got a bit of a pep in my step as I entered the city of Santiago. So much so that I had to remind myself to chill out. "I'm supposed to be the Tortoise" I reminded myself as I put the brakes on my eager feet.



Walking into the plaza that faces the cathedral was a moment I'll not soon forget. Its hard to describe the emotion I felt. Happy. Relieved. Tired. Grateful. Accomplished. Proud. When you have a lot of feelings that are mixed up together sometimes all you can do is cry. And that's exactly what I did. I walked into the plaza and cried. So did every other pilgrim that I saw walk through the tunnel knowing that they survived and made it.

I did it!!!!!!


I went to the pilgrim's office and got my certificate of completion (Compostela.) I had to present my pilgrim passport showing all the stamps I'd collected in each hamlet and village I'd traveled through to prove that I'd walked the required mileage. The woman in the office checked each one carefully and then issued me the Compostela.



I walked back to the cathedral to attend the 12 pm Mass and to watch them swing the Botafumeiro (which is the largest incense burner in the world - it is swung from ropes through the naive of the church by 8 men in red robes.)

I paid my respects to the remains of Saint James, which are entombed under the alter in a solid gold sarcophagus. I also climbed the steps at the cathedral to hug the back of a statue of Saint James, which is a tradition for pilgrims who have walked the Camino.

hugging the back of Saint James statue - a pilgrim tradition


Right now, I feel on top of the world. I set out to complete the Camino and I survived it. It felt like I did only by the skin of my teeth. Luckily, I chose to be the Tortoise today and it paid off. I hope I can continue to choose the tortoise life when I get back home.

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