June 14th – As Buzz Lightyear would say, today is “To Santiago and beyond!”
It is raining outside and feels like the kind of rain that will last all day. My heart is full with one part joy for this experience and one part sadness that the walking ends today. Santiago has never really been my goal but step by step each day I came closer to the destination. What a mixture of feelings bubble up inside me. Everything feels different to me even though there are still patches of forest and eucalyptus leaves pressed by pilgrim shoes provides a heavenly scent on today’s journey.
Winding my way through the suburbs I see children being brought to school – just a normal day in their lives while for me this day is both a banner day and anti climactic at the same time. It’s taken 37 days on the path to arrive at this place, resting for two. In a very short while I can say I walked 780 kilometers (about 500 miles) on the Camino de Santiago. More importantly my inner journey has no measurement in time or space.
The path is busy this morning with many pilgrims – their colored raincoats, backpack covers and ponchos adding to the festivities.
This sign lets me know only 4.7 kilometers to go.
I know I am getting closer when I start to see the Camino signs in the pavement. Soon I can see the church spire sticking out between the winding streets. There are pilgrims around me as well as the normal city bustle of the locals and I walk with the flow.
I’ve arrived! It’s all a bit surreal and I have the same mixed emotions I’ve experienced all day: elation, awe, joy as well as sadness that the physical journey has come to an end.
I’ll attend the noon pilgrims mass tomorrow and for now head to the pilgrims office where I’ve heard I’ll face a one hour plus line to present my credentials and receive my Compenstella.
This won’t be my last post. I know that the Camino is now a part of me. I’m going to Finesterre tomorrow then beginning my departure back to Seattle the following day. You’ll be hearing from me again soon.
You look simply radiant my friend. Thank you for sharing your sacred journey in this Camino with us. I will miss these posts. They have become part of my journey as well. Safe and graceful travels home to your loved ones 🙂
It will take time to totally absorb your Camino.
Great journey, I am now inspired to do this myself some time soon.
While we were in Santiago we attended a Saturday evening mass after which they had a special gathering for the Pilgrims. We thought it was just going to be the usual Pilgrim Blessing but it was a special service at which we followed an order of worship that was provided by the presiding priest and the English speaking (Irish) priest who translated the proceedings for us. We did a procession and sang together – all of us from many lands and languages – using the order of worship in which both English and Spanish words were provided. Each pilgrim had a copy with their own language and Spanish so we could follow along and understand.
We went into areas of the Cathedral that weren’t open to the general public and up into a courtyard where there was a brazier, a fountain that originally stood at the entrance to the Cathedral in which Pilgrims washed before entering, and the original Cathedral bells (big bell to ring the hours and smaller bell to ring the quarter hours).
The Father gave each of us a small piece of black paper and we encircled the brazier and they explained that in the middle ages, pilgrims would burn their old clothes and put on new clothes before entering. This was to signify putting away your old self and putting on the “new” man. (I told the Father that I had some old clothes back at our lodgings that I would gladly burn!)
After the procession in the courtyard we went down to the sanctuary and up to the alter where we all took seats where the choir is typically seated. There we went around the group (about thirty of us) and each person offered or asked for prayers in their own language after which the rest of the group responded with the Spanish equivalent of “Lord, Hear our Prayer”.
We also spent time going through many of the areas of the Cathedral with the Fathers explaining the historical significance of many of the Cathedral’s features.
It took almost two hours but for me, it was the high point of my stay in Santiago, and possibly my whole Camino.
I don’t know how often they do this service but if you ask the English speaking priest he could probably tell you.
Please try to attend if your schedule allows!
And enjoy Finesterre!
What a fantastic experience, Diane. I went to the traditional Pilgrims Mass at noon and am now in Finisterre for the night. Maybe next time!
Thank you Susan for taking us along. Even though I may never get to take this walk, I feel both the joy and sadness at the end of your journey. What an amazing gift you have given yourself and the rest of us.
Every step of your way haas been a blessed gift!! Such sweet sadness and what a great accomplishment!!
Thank you Susan for being able to share your Camino , I can’t wait for my turn to walk the Way .
You have made me re- live my Camino Journey, thank you for your posts!
I have so enjoyed your journey! Thanks for letting us come along!
Nancy
Hi Susan,
Well done!
Thanks for sharing your journey with us. I have looked forward to and enjoyed your daily posts!
I am looking forward to seeing Sue again.
All the best.
Regards
Steve
My dear friend
You are such an amazing woman to have accomplished this wonderful Camino! I, too have mixed feelings of the joy of finishing and the sadness of an ending. These posts have become a daily happening here, living through your journey! I believe it will also be a beautiful beginning as well when you sit in silence and process all “stories” that became who you are now. Safe travels home to your beautiful paws!
What a journey, congratulations. Thank you for allowing us to enjoy each step with you. My plan is do follow your path next year. Look forward to reading more in the future. Safe travels home.
Congratulations! Inspiring! Of everything I have read and watched about the Camino, I’ve enjoyed your daily posts as I felt that I was right there with you … I learned from you that right from the beginning and throughout every day to “ease into” the day ahead and enjoy it immensely. With jubilation for your Camino and sadness that the ‘walking’ part of your journey has come to a close, I thank you dear friend, and look forward to hearing more of your inner Camino in your upcoming book! I also look forward to your other inspiring travels … and in doing my own Camino. Gracias!
Thank you for sharing this journey, each step at a time. what an amazing woman to carry this experience in your Susanness forever.