SANTIAGO!!! 40K and a Compostela In Hand!-- 3/1/2011

It is just after 1700 hrs as I sit in a beautiful glass room surrounding the gardens at the Rick Steve's "favorite"   Hotel Costa Vella (my dad is beaming at my choice of hotels right now) after completing what ended up being 40 kilometers to Santiago and the Cathedral. My feet and shin splints are definitely aching now, but it was worth it.

I went directly to the Plaza Obradoiro that faces the Cathedral. I walked through the Cathedral, backpack and all during an afternoon mass, but the worshipers seem to be used to that. Afterwards, I located the Office of the Pilgrims and presented my Credentials showing I had completed the journey. I felt a bit interrogated by the official as she asked numerous questions about whether I had taken any other forms of transportation other than "pies" (by foot) from Sarria to Santiago (I think it was because of the last HUGE kilometer distance today). But, in the long run, she must've believed all the details I gave because she handed me my official Compostela!

Its difficult to comment on this journey, at least right now.  I will say that the first opportunity I had to look in the mirror today after the completion of my walk, I broke down crying. I felt an internal wonder, the kind that only the person feeling it can understand, the kind that takes you to that next question of wondering what to do with this experience and wondering how it has and will change me, yet make me the same. I am sure that I will contemplate and take from these experiences many times to come.

I will go now to purchase new and different clothes as I've grown terribly tired of these same two pants, two shirts, and two socks. It is a custom of a pilgrim's trip to Finisterra to burn articles of their clothing-- wait and see...

Photos:  Me with the Cathedral behind, The Cathedral of Santiago, and my Compostela with well deserved wine!!
Salud!!