Day 15 Milladoiro To Santiago de Compostela 7.76 We made it—Porto to Santiago. A total of 268.5 km plus one bus ride (sorry Ray ☹️). In spite of the misty rain, it was all smiles and cheers in the square as pilgrims laid down their last kilometre. Finishing the Camino can be an emotionally difficult experience for some pilgrims. Volunteers at Pilgrim House are trained to help you unpack your journey. As always, taking care of your mental health is important. I don’t get the initial rush entering the square. I like to pick up my Compostela Certificate and then head back for a photo. Ray says I’m always happiest when the paperwork is complete. We arrived early so we had the rest of the day to do pilgrim/tourist stuff. After churros and hot chocolate in the square, we were off to Pilgrims’ Mass. It gives your heart a tug when the priest announces that pilgrims have arrived from Canada. Of course, the most spectacular part of the mass is the Botafumeiro. This giant swinging censer is almost 175 years old— it’s not even the original. Ray loves the smell of the incense. I love watching what is basically an 80 kg smoke bomb sailing through the air. We also did a roof tour of the Cathedral. It is quite steep. I’m surprised how far the guide lets you wander around up there. From the outside, we could look back into the cathedral and see the altar. Once we climbed the tower we could view the square and see tiny specs that were pilgrims gathering. Ray took a photo of a biking group. When we got back to the square he airdropped it to them. It looked like a drone shot! We finished off our day with free samples of Santiago cookies and cake. Does it get any better? You are Always in my Prayers. Love Mom.
19 Comments
Sandra Martin
5/14/2023 12:29:51 pm
Congratulations 🥳 and Happy Mother’s Day!
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Diane
5/14/2023 10:44:38 pm
Thanks. We loved it…now the feet just have to recover. We were hanging out here in Toledo for Mother’s day….then heading off to the Azores.
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Kelsey , Brynlee and Molly
5/16/2023 07:06:20 am
Wow !!! That looks so fun was Ray scared sitting on the edge of the tower
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Diane
5/17/2023 01:16:13 am
Ray has zero fear on heights. I made him hold my hand when we were walking down the slopy parts
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Kelsey, Molly, brynlee
5/16/2023 07:10:37 am
What is the green thing you guys are holding in the picture?
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Disne
5/17/2023 01:18:33 am
For 2 euros they will sell you a tube to carry your Compostelas in so you can get them safely home. Compostela is the certificate that says you completed the walk and it is free.
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Makayla and Alexis
5/16/2023 07:14:45 am
Have you been swimming g
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Diane
5/17/2023 01:19:23 am
Not yet but Ray is going diving tomorrow.
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J’insiste, Autumn and Hailey W7
5/16/2023 07:17:57 am
Was the green thing you guys were holding the cookies?
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Diane
5/17/2023 01:28:36 am
We did buy some cookies to bring home for our son. For 2 euros they will sell you a tube to carry your Compostelas in so you can get them safely home. Compostela is the certificate that says you completed the walk and it is free.
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NPWS7JM
5/16/2023 07:18:02 am
When you claimed the tower did it feel high?
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Diane
5/17/2023 01:21:22 am
Yes…when you looked down on the square it felt like taking a drone shot.
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Haylee
5/16/2023 08:09:02 am
We’re you scared when you climbed the tower or we you calm
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Diane
5/17/2023 01:23:47 am
Climbing the tower was fine because it was sort of closed in. I definitely had some moments on the roof when I thought I could slide to my dome😄 of. Course it was all in my head.
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Malachi
5/16/2023 10:43:10 am
Wow! I have no idea how you guys have the energy for all of that!
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Diane
5/17/2023 01:26:15 am
Funny thing is we don’t feel old and then something funny happens. We got to the hostel and they took one look at us and said “you will have to have two bottom bunks.”…and i’m thinking really? I just walked 260km…but OK.
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levi koobs
5/16/2023 10:48:00 am
that looks amazing! do you know how many square footage the cathedral is?
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Diane
5/17/2023 01:27:33 am
They saying covers about 10000 square metres
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Nancy
5/30/2023 10:38:50 am
Did you see murals in the cathedral, if so, were they painted on?
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