Growth Generator

Anyone completing at least the last 100 kilometers of the Camino receives a "Compostela". This is a document (in Latin - including my name translated into Latin), which basically states that the receiver was a pilgrim and completed the pilgrimage of St. James. We had to stand in line for one hour to get this. Earlier in the day, the line was as long as three hours. This is the Compostella that is received for people who state they have done the pilgrimage for religious purposes. I found out that there is another type of document for those who indicate that it was not done for religious purposes. Supposedly, I get half time off in Purgatory if I were to go to a Catholic Mass and make Confession within 15 days of receiving this document. (No comment on whether or not I did!)

Not particularly an official stage to our pilgrimage, but we have taken a private bus to Finisterre. It is a nice little town and supposedly this is where St.James' remains were brought ashore in Spain. We took a nice little walk up to the lighthouse and the zero Camino marker and watched the sun set. We have spent a relaxing two days at the beach before heading off to spend the night in the terminal of the Santiago airport.
I'd like to take a moment to thank all the people who have supported my project and also thank the friends that we have met during our pilgrimage. And a very very special thanks to my brother, Jim - without his help, I'd never have completed this walk!
Hope to get some pictures up on the blog once I'm back in Switzerland. Thanks again!

Stage 27 (August 12, 2010)
Start Time: 05:30
Location: Arca (O Pino)
End Time: 11:04
Location: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA!!
Distance: 19.5 km

WE HAVE ARRIVED! It was still a hard walk today, not really because of the distance since it was just under 20k's but more from the anticipation that it was almost over. We met friends on the plaza of the cathedral and had a great welcome into Santiago. It was very emotional for some. I am relieved yet sad that the pilgrimage is over - it has been a long hard walk, but worth every step.
I can't believe the difference between this arrival in Santiago and the one we had 10 years ago. There are many more people here and there are huge lines for everything. It is a little disappointing on how "commercial" the Camino has become. There is a three hour wait (line) for the "Compostela" document. I think it is better to wait until closer to closing time to get that. There are also amazing lines for the pilgrim's mass and the longest line is to see the remains of St. James (estimated at a 4 hour wait). I think that I will skip those bits and just tour the town remembering everything that went on this time and last time. We are staying at a very nice albergue that a friend found and reserved for us and it has the most amazing shower!! It is so nice to have a clean bathroom and hot water to wash in. We'll head into town for a bite to eat and then get in line for our documents to finalize our pilgrimage.

Stage 26 (August 11, 2010)
Start Time: 05:30
Location: Arzua
End Time: 11:30
Location: Arca (O Pino)
Distance: 21.5 km
We did pretty good today - getting up and getting on the road in good time. We got to the refuge at 11:30 and were still 89-95th in line for beds. Luckily this refuge has 120. But a lot of people like to cut the line and get in, so we were still a little worried. After a 3 hour wait (!) we got our beds and had a shower. It takes quite a while to get checked in at some of these places, so we were lucky to have a room that had just been opened so there weren't too many people in line for the showers yet. A lot of people got turned away at the door because the refuge was full. We were quite unhappy because there were 6 people in our room that got beds, but then left to go to Santiago at 10pm!! (so they didn't even use their beds in the night). I thought that was quite rude. But we'll leave about the same time as normal for Santiago and will finally arrive tomorrow!!

Stage 25 (August 10, 2010)
Start Time: 05:30
Location: Palas de Rei
End Time: 13:30
Location: Arzua
Distance: 31 km
Oh, hard day again today. I find anthing over about 25k's is really tiring and abusive on my feet. But this is the last long day that we should have before we reach Santiago de Compostela! We should have an 18 and then 21k days for the next two arriving sometime on the 12th! I can't believe that it is almost over. The refuge we stay at today is not a municipal one - meaning we pay a little more (10 Eur), but the level of quality is immensly different and we were able to reserve beds in advance!! That part is really fantastic - instead of waiting in line and hoping for a bed we were guaranteed one. We don't know the situaton for the next stop, but hope we can reserve something along the way. There is a great kitchen here and we plan on doing something Italian again, since we are still travelling with a few Italians.....can't wait for dinner!!