Saturday 3rd June 2023
Distance 5km / 3.1 miles
Monte del Gozo – Santiago de Compostela
I could have taken my time this morning, but I needed to finish this. I was up at the crack of dawn as usual and sat in the main square of the complex to say Morning Prayer. I suppose I was excited but to be honest I am not sure what was going on im my head. I had to face up to what this journey was about – to draw some meaning from it.
I walked down the hill and into the outskirts of the city. It was only 07.21 when I arrived at the city proper.
I walked on, taking my time. There weren’t very many people around. I followed the arrows and waymarks for the last time and arrived at the Praza de Obradoiro and the official end of my pilgrimage. I stood there gazing at the west end of the Cathedral and I felt a sense of acheivement and relief. No joy, no excitement, no jumping up and down just a sense of thankfulness that I had been able to do this. I almost felt there was something wrong. I sat for a long time just being quiet watching other pilgrims arrive and being happy and excited. I’d walked 800 kilometres over 45 days and I wasn’t sure what I should be feeling.
The Pilgrims Office opened at 09.00 so I set off to get my Compostela and my certificate of distance. On the way I passed an open cafe/bar and got a decent breakfast. This was their answer to a ‘Full English’.
Armed with the proof that I had completed the pilgrimage I returned to the square. It is normal to attend the 12.00 Pilgrim’s Mass in the Cathedral but the day I arrrive they decide to install the new Archbishop so the Cathedral was out of bounds apart from the great and the good who had tickets. I did catch him arriving in procession, not at all like the procession I was expecting it all seemed a bit chaotic. They all disappeared into the Cathedral and I decided I would have a look around. I still had plenty of time before I could check in to my hostel.
The city was beautiful lots of imposing buildings and lots of tourists too.
I found my hostel, part of a seminary and checked in. I had treated myself to a single room for two nights so it was good to settle a bit.
Once I was sorted I set off to see a bit more of the city and to find the Anglican church which was in a park on the other side of the city centre. It was a lovely park with views back over the city.
I found the church which was open for people to go in and pray. I took the opportunity to sit and think as well as pray. I was still seeking some idea of what this pilgrimage was for. That sounds odd now I think about it, there was no one thing I wanted from God, no life changing decisions I needed to make. I’d walked all this way and now it’s over I am not sure why! As I was thinking I heard thunder which got louder and more frequent. I thought I would try and get back to the hostel before the rain, unsuccessfully as it happened so for the first and last time on the Camino I got completely soaked.