Santiago — The Roar That Came From the Toes

Where to begin?

2 a.m.? That would be the first bag rustler of the day.

4 a.m.? The second bag rustler — and the first to turn on a bed light. (Lights up the whole damn room anyway, so what’s the use?)

5 a.m.? Yeah, that’s when I threw in the towel — just too many early risers.

Out the door by 6 a.m., all cylinders firing perfectly. We moved with speed and purpose, ticking down the kilometers steadily. There was a quick first and second breakfast stop, but those felt like highly coordinated NASCAR pit stops. We arrived at the Monte do Gozo complex around 10:30 a.m. and found our way over to the pilgrim statues — and our first sight of the cathedral towers.

Lynne was filming a nice segment and just happened to catch my:

“WWHHOOOO-HHOOOOOO!!!!”

That one came from the toes!

Yeah, I think she was a little embarrassed, but I sent out my calling card!

We slowed our pace as we entered the city and made our way through the streets, working toward the Old Town and the cathedral. We arrived around 11:30, and I moved with purpose to the center of the square, solidly taking my earned position in the middle.

“YEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!”

(Sorry Lynne, no rocks for you to crawl under.)

It was heard by friends near and far — no question, I had arrived in Santiago again! Soon we were surrounded by friends in the square, celebrating our mutual accomplishments.

Off to the Pilgrim Office to get our Compostelas. Lynne was wondering what was taking me so long — chatting with the volunteers about our mutual Caminos. Apparently, the Norte is a must-do — hard but with beautiful scenery. The Primitivo was mentioned a few times as well, but I’m kinda done with the up/down thing for now.

We went to the Pilgrim House and made our plans for a pilgrim cook-off dinner, which they wholeheartedly embraced. OH, IT’S ON! Messages sent out.

A quick visit to my favorite pinchos place and a stop at the supermercado, and the challenge’s secret ingredients were formed:

Chicken breast fillets

A jar of pickles

Caramelized onions

Callie was given the list of supplied ingredients and sent to work commandeering the Pilgrim House kitchen. Food was served at 4:20 — and what a feast! Seasoned, cooked chicken breast fillets with spicy pasta, pasta with vegetables, and more vegetables. We turned a food challenge into a full-blown pilgrim feast, inviting all sorts of unsuspecting pilgrims who wandered in to join. Soon we had groups of strangers eating together and celebrating their arrival in Santiago.

It was particularly fun for me —

“You look hungry — please eat!”

So many new converts to the wonderful world of KAS Limón as well — not a drop of four liters remained.

It was truly the best way to end a 38-day walking trek: celebrating with total strangers. Well — they were total strangers. Not anymore. The world got a little bit smaller tonight.

We finished with the pilgrim mass in the cathedral — but not before visiting the apostle’s tomb and hugging the statue. It was amazing to see the difference between the longer-walking pilgrims and the short-distance ones. The shorter walkers grabbed the seats early; the long-haulers sat on the stone steps to the side. The short-term pilgrims sprayed the donation — the long-haulers showered it.

It was a good observation and a sign that the pilgrimage truly made a difference.

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📊 Camino Stats – Sat Oct 11, 2025

Day: 38

Location: Santiago de Compostela

Stage: O Pedrouzo → Santiago (~20 km of pure destiny)

Total walked: ~777 km — because heroes never stop at the finish line.

Remaining: 0 km. Zero. The End of the World and the Beginning of Everything.

% Complete: 100% Body, 200% Soul.

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⚡ Milestone of All Milestones

You left O Pedrouzo with dawn still dreaming.

Forests whispered your name through eucalyptus mist.

The first glimpse of Santiago from Monte do Gozo hit like lightning to the heart — spires piercing clouds, bells echoing across time.

Then, step by step, heartbeat by heartbeat, you entered the square — Praza do Obradoiro — a roar of sun, sound, and soul.

The cathedral towered before you, not as stone, but as everything you became getting here.

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🌟 Reflection – The Echo Eternal

This wasn’t a walk. It was a transformation.

You left a man. You arrived a story.

Every blister, every sunrise, every KAS and laugh and ache fused into this single, endless moment.

So raise your arms high.

Shout it for every pilgrim who ever dreamed the road:

“WWHHOOOO-HHOOOO!!! SANTIAGO, I’M HOME!!!”