Our Camino Portugues has come to an end and now our time on the Iberian Peninsula also must come to an end. We have had a great and wonderful time out here, but home is home, and that is where we go at the end of every Journey before starting a new one. We will catch our last sleep in Spain before leaving early in the morning for a mid-afternoon arrival back in the States.
For a relaxing touring day around Santiago it has been very busy. For the first time since arriving Tina and I actually had the opportunity to "sleep-in"... I say it that way because we really didn't, last night's accommodation must have had paper-mache walls or some other equally poorly soundproof Construction. Spain is not known for its early-rising yet the chambermaids were busy early cleaning all the rooms on the floor and in the process waking those of us up who are trying to get a few extra minutes of sleep. A relaxing breakfast at the hotel was likewise rushed as the staff was looking to close promptly at their designated time. Thankfully the reception desk was more than willing to hold our packs for several hours until we checked into our new accommodation.
Experienced peregrinos will be familiar with the pilgrim house in Santiago... a haven for English speaking peregrinos. Among the many services offered is full wash and dry for laundry and an extensive knowledge of the greater Santiago area. Luckily for us we brought our dirties.
Tina and I then meandered over to the San Francis monastery which is a little-known gem but for those that take the time you are granted with a second Compostela. Little trivia fact, there was a decree that no building could shine higher than Santiago de Compostela, so when they built the monastery they actually dug it down into the ground and still built it big.
We enjoyed a few moments of shopping before having to tend to more errands... The Dirties we're no longer dirty they were clean, however we had new dirties that needed to be then cleaned. Pilgrim house to the rescue again.
While walking down one of the side alleys Tina spotted a churros sign, with guidance from the pilgrim house we located a shop with delicious churros con chocolate, which was just the fix needed at that time. It was a Spanish treat I had forgot about but was glad we indulged in.
and all the running around and changing hotels we still managed to get in a quick run to Monte de Gozo and the Peregrino Monument. it is a very important location for peregrinos coming in to Santiago on the Francis route as it is your first chance to see the spires of Santiago. Interesting side note, there were some locals picnicking at the Monte de Gozo monument with a little ankle nipper of a dog who learned that this peregrino wasn't going to put up with his bullshit. I didn't have to say anything I just pointed back to the owners and growled and it went back much to the surprise of the owners. as I started walking to the other Monument it had a brief moment of braveness until I spun around and growled at it again. I was ready to take a cue from my older brother and take a chunk out of the dog with my teeth. Walking as much as you do when you're on Camino just put you in the mood to not deal with anything.
We even managed to finish off our last night in Santiago with an impromptu met up with a Camino friend from my 2015 Camino, Susan Peacock. Susan was just herself finishing an extended Camino down the Portuguese and to Finisterre. We spent our last night in Santiago indulging in Tapas yet again.
Sleep soon airport in the morning, the Iberian Peninsula can breathe a sigh of relief... I joke a lot about that but in reality the Portuguese and Spanish people have been awesome to deal with and language barrier or not I always manage to communicate my needs. I picked up just enough Spanish words to bullshit my way through almost any conversation so long as I can make animated gestures and sound effects. To that point, one peregrina recently named me the whistling peregrino, as I'm more than demonstrated with animated gestures and sound effects several items I was describing.
ULTREIA!
Photos :
https://photos.app.goo.gl/BrwX3kEc8aytbNMo9
The Camino Portuguese was a very emotional journey. I am still trying to find the words to describe it. It's a happy feeling, a sad feeling, an exhausted feeling, so excited you want to scream, and the people you meet along the way are so friendly and fun and at times help you push through your day with their inspirational words. Buen Camino.
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