We arrived yesterday with just under one thousand others. In Santiago we wanted to see the Cathedral, attend the Pilgrims Mass, eat Coquille St. Jacques and reconnect with many of our friends from the Camino.
We were successful on all counts and lucky on many others.
The mass concluded with the swinging of the botafumiero, the largest incense burner in Christendom. Eight men must pull the ropes to make it swing the full length of the transept.
During the mass we also spotted Maja and Gilde, who had just arrived. We collected Tunga in the square and the five of us had a wonderful final meal together. It only makes sense that the Camino, which began as a wonderful moving community should finish with reunions and friendship.
Congratulations! I have enjoyed your blog – I am a Camino junkie from Toronto – I walked in 2007, and am going back next year to work at Rabanal at Refugio Gaucelmo, then walk to Santiago.
Enjoy the journey home, and the reflections on the journey. Share them with us, if it works for you.
Blessings Darlene
I missed our mass – too busy sitting in a dentists chair having root canal work – and on my birthday too!!!