WE MADE IT!!! Beauty for the weary!

WE WALKED INTO Santiago at 2:15pm today. We both cried and knelt in front of the cathedral. This city is absolutely unbelievable. 

We will attend the pilgrims mass at 7:30pm today. We're absolutely exhausted. Megs' feet are shredded. Literally.  But we did it. We did it. 

   

Arzua to Amenal

14 miles today. The beauty of the landscape doesn't change. It is almost like always walking through the forest of Narnia. Megan has endured three blisters that are pretty ugly. Yet, she keeps going and is a champ. We stopped to re-tape her feet and allow her to rest. But for the most part, we continuously walk at a fairly brisk pace. We met a group from Nicaragua today and had a wonderful time sharing a beer and hearing their story. They started in Leon and we all say the road is hard but we understand the goal.  Tomorrow, we should be able to see Santiago. I have mixed feelings about that as I know the trip is coming to an end. It has been quite an enlightening time with my daughter and I completely understand how very blessed I am to be able to do this. Also, I walked a very long way with Father Bob today.  We discussed why the shell is the symbol of the El Camino. Saint James, this disciple came to Compostela and was spreading the word of God. He assimilated an entire group of his own disciples to continue to do so. There were issues in Jerusalem with the Romans, and he traveled back there to help others. He was captured and beheaded and his body was returned to Compostela via ship.  The story goes there was a horrible storm and the ship wrecked. It is said that when St. James's body washed up on the shore it was covered in shells. Thus, all pilgrims carry a shell after their completion of the El Camino to prove their journey. Megs is determined to complete this, despite her feet. I have never seen so much tape and bandages in my life! 

Bien Camino and viva Espana! 

    

Day of rest in Arzua

The El Camino is accomplished by the 5 to 1 theory.  5 days of walking to one day of rest. The body must have some time to repair itself. 

Today was a day of "spiritual reflection". This translated into Megs and I replenishing our "feet remedy" products in the village of Azura, and taking a nap. The small farm converted to haciendas for pilgrims is lovely. However, the sleigh beds are short for Megs and I so we sleep with our knees bent. 😆

Tomorrow is 14 miles. Oh joy. 

    

Palas de Rei to Arzua.

18.3 miles (29 km) today on the hardest inclines we have experienced. There's no question that we climbed over 48 floors according to one pilgrim's fit bit. Of course then you have all the declines they go along with that are your killer. After mass we passed through beautiful eucalyptus forests . Trees that I have never seen before with the amazing clinical smell of Eucalyptus throughout the air. I have to admit there were times on the inclines that all of us felt a major trial that we had to overcome. We suffered through it and arrived in our destination at 4:10pm. We made the trek in about 6 hours. !!!  The scenery was continuous.  And absolutely gorgeous.       

Porto Marin to Palas de Rei

Today was really tough terrain. Hills. Hills. and more Hills.  16.5 miles of hills. Honestly, it was tough at first but got better after the 10th or so mile. Megan has two very small blisters, but blisters still the same. We are taping our feet and really trying to avoid any further problems.  So many pilgrims we met today from all over the world. Everyone is always so helpful to each other as we are all headed toward the same goal. There is a quiet spirituality on the paths that I really cannot explain. We passed numerous villages that were built in the 700 to 800 A.D. time frame. It's just impossible to imagine this in America as we are so young. Even with the first part of the day as we battled of rain, it was still an enjoyable experience. Tomorrow is the big day with 18 miles on our plate. Hopefully, we can conquer that part of the trek.     

More Pics on the way to Portomarin

   

Sarria to Portomarin

14.5 miles today (Tuesday) in 5 hours and 20 minutes. Ouch!!  Mass in Sarria this morning at another unbelievable chapel from the Middle Ages.   A lot of steep inclines today. Hamstrings are hurting but not too bad. The scenery is just breath taking. Farmers come out to meet you as you go.  They so respect the pilgrims and our journey. Oh, Megs has a small blister on her right big toe. Moleskin to the rescue. Enjoy our pics.    

Pics of Foncebadon and O Cebreiro

   

The Iron Cross.

Foncebadon to O Cebreiro on Monday.  The "Iron Cross" is a common pausing place for pilgrims. A stone is left at the foot of the cross representing a burden you are carrying.  O Cebreiro is a small village in the mountains suspended 1300 meters in the air. In the year of 1300 the Vatican recorded a Eucharistic miracle that occurred there. Megs and I attended mass in the medieval chapel there which was quite astounding. No blisters or injuries so far!!

The City of Water

Today we walked over 5 miles through the city of Madrid. (Actually named by the Moors because of its location on the Manzanares river). The architecture and parks are the most beautiful of any European city I've seen. We attended mass in the cathedral and walked through the Market of San Miguel.  Madrid exudes culture and affection no matter your country of origin.  This city has stolen my heart!       

And So We Begin

 We landed in Madrid today. We had very little incident on our flights from DIA  to Philadelphia and then on to Madrid.  

After checking in to our hotel, we had time to hit a couple of restaurants before we leave for our hike.  

Enjoy these sites.