We arrived in Santiago de Compostela after a 5 hour train ride from Madrid. It’s a fabulous way to travel to see the gorgeous landscape of Spain. This is our last stop on this journey.
It’s the Holy Year, this year and 2022. This city is vibrating with throngs of pilgrims, visitors and everyone else.
Gelato.....a most delicious desert in Europe. Mango and mint chocolate chip....yummy.
The last morning we were there, I was up early and could hear something funny outside......Horses coming in with pilgrims. Through the streets!
Bikes, horses or walking are the three ways to traverse the Camino.
We met two folks from DC on the Camino, Jaye and Joe. We caught up with them in Santiago de Compostela and they invited us to dinner at their Airbnb.
A very lovely evening that happened to be our Thanksgiving.
Everything is still blooming. The temperatures were up in the twenties. We actually got sunburned on our trek.
Alexa made lunch. Open faced salami, ham and cheese sandwich. Fresh figs and persimmons.
The Holy year or The Xacobeo or Jacobean year is only celebrated when the festival of James the Apostle (or Santiago) on July 25th falls on a Sunday. This happens at different intervals over the years. Usually every 5-6 but occasionally 11 years before the next Holy year. Because of COVID, the Pope extended it to 2021 and 2022.
It is pronounced “shak-o-bay-o.”
All sins are removed if you visit the cathedral and tomb of St. James, go to mass, and confession.
Saint James is one of the 12 disciples of Jesus and he is buried here at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
The Camino de Santiago translated means the Way of St. James. The Camino we did is approximately 840 kilometres in total.
Alexa lighting a candle for her sweet Grandma Noreen McQuillan who passed away in 2021.
They are doing pilgrim mass in a different cathedral which means they are still not using the famous incense burner.
The incense burner or in spanish, the botafumeiro is huge......this silver hanging ornament.
The first church was built on the burial place of Saint James in AD 829. Construction of the present cathedral began in the year 1075.
Hundreds of people were in line to go into the cathedral every day we were there. We waiting almost 2 hours. But it is worth it.
We visited the outside market when we were there. Not every vendor or farmer was there because of COVID. We came home with lots of goodies. Alexa made us fresh hamburgers and sweet potatoes. I sautéed some onions and red peppers. Delicious.
Sun setting on the city.
We spent two months here before COVID.....I’ve never seen so many people.....especially in this plaza behind the church.
Trying to blend in.....lol.
Wandering the streets or sitting at an outdoor cafe is the perfect way to enjoy Santiago.
Gigantic scallops in the half shell. So yummy. It is the same shell the pilgrims wear to identify themselves as pilgrims.
Sangria in Spain has been so refreshing and yummy. This one had a bit more ‘punch’ to it......😀
So many visitors to this beautiful city. Below are the views of the city and cathedral from the park.
Definitely not the best photos of the Muscovy Ducks.....but they were not posing very well. And they had a baby too.
A stroll through the city park on a glorious sunny and toasty warm day.
Alexa making friends along the Way.
Can’t forget about churros and chocolate. The chocolate appears to be melted in the cup. Not hot chocolate but ‘spoon eating’ chocolate. Oh my gosh......to die for.
Sunday is the day of rest for the market. So eerie to see no one here.....it is usually jammed packed with people.
Alexa catching up on her well deserved rest.
Fresh calamari.......
Muscles in a vinaigrette sauce.
Pulpo or octopus.....with olive oil and I think paprika. Best dish ever.
Can’t forget the goal of most peregrinos or pilgrims walking the Camino is to get to this cathedral in Santiago de Compostela and visit St. James tomb.
When they arrive, they congregate in the square and embrace their incredible journey.
It means many things to many people who do this journey.
For me it was a respite from the world wide COVID 19 pandemic that has put our world on pause for almost two years.
To spend this amazing time and journey with Alexa which we’ve never done before. I’m so proud of what we accomplished together. I’m so proud of her.❤️
To plant my feet again on ‘The Way’ and walk with a leap of faith that we will ALWAYS find our Way.
Spending time, again, in beautiful Spain and the wonderful people of Northern Spain who honour and care about the pilgrims.
I am entirely grateful for this second adventure on the Camino.
Next time.....to be announced......I will be starting in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and walking to Pamplona. Then over the course of two visits to the Camino, I would like to finish the section from Burgos to Sarnia, 400 kilometres.
To be continued........
God bless and be safe.
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