So we got a seat at the noon mass and saw the incense burner swung almost touching the ceiling. You could see the fire as it swung away from you. This evening we went on a roof tour of the cathedral, I must have been crazy. Said goodbye to Frank and Ben at dinner tonight. It,s all unwinding.
We arrived in Santiago today completing our 490 mile journey. Stood in line for 80 minutes to get our certificates. Tomorrow we visit Santiago and the cathedral, Monday to Finisterre and Tuesday head home. Lots of stories to tell and pictures to show.
The man on the left is George and his wife Iris from Puurto Rico who carried my backpack when I had my back spasms. We had a great dinner with them last night after six hours of heavy rain. Even with all the high tech rain gear, we were all soaked. Wet boots make for blisters. Today was threatening but dry. We are in O Pedrouzo only 12.5 miles from Santiago. Tomorrow is sure to be an emotional day for each of us. Shabbat Shalom!
It rained all day today, very hard most of the time. I skipped lunch and went right to the hotel arriving an hour earlier than Victor and Ben. We are in Palas de Rei only 42 miles from Santiago. Heavy rain again tomorrow will not stop us from our daily 16 miles. Santiago and home are driving us forward.
Since 100km is the minimum for a Camino cert, many start it in Sarria so we saw a lot of pilgrims with clean boots today, our 29th. We are in Portomarin, 57.6 miles from Santiago. Our excitement grows as our destination gets nearer. I can not believe I have walked 432 miles. The views the last couple of days in the mountains have been spectacular. As great as this is, I long for home and family.
We arrived in Sarria after experiencing a winter squall in the mountains for about a half hour. We completed 418.6 miles with 71.5 to Santiago. Today is Ben’s birthday as it was my brother Ken’s. Happy birthday to both of them. Ben by the way, our hiking partner, is a Presbyterian minister, and is aware of Torah.
Nothing fills my mind on the Camino more than my beautiful wife, Rosa. She is the love of my life.
It rained all day today but we are now 83.1 miles from Santiago. So we have walked 407 miles, who would have thought. Only six days of walking left gives us all mixed feelings.
Yesterday we did not have WiFi so today I can say we got to O,Ce breiro, a very old town high up in the mountains with a church that was built in 800. I did the climb 45 minutes before Victor and Ben so I had a beer waiting for them.
So yesterday we hiked to the highest elevation of the Camino at 5000 feet. I made it greàt going up but ran into problems coming down. I developed a back spasm and struggled to get off the mountain. A Puerto Rican couple carried my backpaçk uñtil Victor arrived. Today I hiked 19.2 miles so I guess I’m OK. We now have 115 miles to go. See you in Santiago.
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George's El Camino Adventure 