SANTIAGO!!!

Pat, what has happened over the last few days.

WOW!  What a journey (more walking to come :) )

So, back to Tuesday: As many other Peregrinos did, we woke early and hit the trail in the dark.  The woods we walked thru night have been spooky in the dark had it bit been for the steady Peregrino train matching onwards to Santiago.  A line so big, we more or less completely lit the trail like a highway at night.

Marching on, we quickly came to the airport runway end and seeing the first signs of population ahead, I let out a practice "WHOO-HOOO!" - just a practice one mind you :).  After that, the trail dove back into a forest and some farmland - It was about there that I muttered to Ray "You know, I am tired of walking" - and I was, at the moment I had reached my full capacity of walking...

Kilometers later, we started entering the outskirts of the metropolitan area and with that, my pace turned from a dragging stroll to almost a breakneck jog.  I was headed to the Peregrino monument to get my first look at Santiago!  Just before turning off the road near the ugly monument, I stopped and allowed my Camino family to catch up...  Funny, their place was likewise quick and we were all together within minutes.  A quick beverage, cello stamp, and across to the monument.  We enjoyed a nice solemn moment guided by Nancy then headed to the monument and communion of sport jelly beans.  Then we walked to the overlook for a group "WHOO-HOOO!" and what a "WHOO-HOOO!" It was, all our voices belting out an advance warning to the city, we are coming!  Not content with just one warning, I later let out another "WHOO-HOOO!", only followed with "I'M COMING TO TOWN!!!" properly forewarning the city of my imminent arrival!

Funny, with a good and proper announcement, I no longer felt quite as rushed, still rushed, just at as rushed!  We descended the hill and crossing the bridge over the interstate, I couldn't help it "WHOO-HOOO!  I'M HERE!" - I also wondered if all the cars were leaving the city cause I was coming ;) - wonder how they got clued-in :D!

The walk thru the city was nice, got quieter as we approached, taking a break to reflect and indulge in chocolate bits before the invasion of Santiago commenced! - This town was never going to be the same after my Camino family and I arrived!  We didn't even pause at the tunnel into the square, charging in we all made our way quickly to the square center and it happened, largely with thought...

3 1/2 years of planning, physical preparation, mental preparation, spiritual and emotional preparation.  The sacrifices of family and friends, the guidance of so many the cumulation of so much effort...  It just happened, out out came "WWWHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-HHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"....  The square has really nice acoustics and I do believe the whole city heard...  The smile was from ear to ear, the joy immeasurable, the emotions just pouring out!  I quickly gathered myself enough to call my wife and blurt out " I made it!  I friggen MADE IT!...' (I had the foresight to pull the phone away from my face!) "WWWHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-HHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!".  I am man enough to admit, the emotional high was so strong, I started tearing up on the phone!  I have heard people talk about the anti-climax of arriving in Santiago, I did not experience that in the least!  I set out on a mission and dammit, as many obstacles were thrown at me, I made it.  I almost felt like I was mentally embraced upon entering the square.

We gathered ourselves, found a nearby Italian restaurant and took over the 3rd floor near the kitchen!  Destroying a delicious meal we then made for the pilgrim office and while waiting on line discovered the one of the volunteers "Dave" lives only 90 minutes away and write possibly will join the Portland APOC Peregrino walk in a few weeks - it made the time in line fly while waiting :).  Getting my Compostela certificate was awesome and a special acknowledgement from the staff for walking the whole distance (you only have to walk the last 100km to get your Compostela certificate).

Starting to slightly settle in, we headed to the nights lodging (an attic apartment on the 5th floor over a bar) to shower and regroup for the nights activities.

We were gathered enough to attend the 7:30 mass (in Spanish) and watch the Botafumeiro swing (normally only on Fridays at noon) :)!  I also embraced the statue of saint James and went down to see and pray at the crypt of the apostle saint James

Later, we gathered for a dinner then headed to our "loft" for a Peregrino party...  The bar portion was closing and non-guests couldn't be in there after, so we partied outside on the sidewalk...  Did I mention the bar is directly across the street from the police station???  No?  Well that is probably because they fully ignored us :D!  Properly destroying a full bottle of cream orujo in 2 minutes flat many were amazed at "warm" they felt :).  A few had to head back to their hotels as they were flying out the next day, the rest of us hit an open bar...  Ooh my, I love Spain!  Order a drink, get a tapas!  (NO!  I did not get drunk, not even close!  I knew I had 4 flights of stairs to climb and was not content with snoozing in the 1st floor bar :) ).  We headed back around 11:30 (super late for a peregrino!), some made it to 1am...

PHOTO DUMP :
https://goo.gl/photos/w4EUGAFmpw9JsNkX8

BUEN CAMINO!
Kevin