It is our last day in Santiago – this time. What to do? Well, for one thing, I slept in. We met the Canadian women at breakfast again, they are booked in here as well.
We dashed off to the market first thing to shop for a couple things for gifts, and to see the selection of food there. Fish, meat and all kinds of vegetables, in both an open and enclosed setup.
Then we dashed back to the cathedral to be plenty early (2 hours) to get the best seats for the noon pilgrim’s mass. It was everything that it was the other two times – the singing nun with the beautiful voice, and the botafumeiro ( q.v.).
Even though the weather was cool and threatening rain, we opted for an al fresco lunch – how many more chances will we have?
We spent more time in and out of souvenier shops, of which there are hundreds, each with a slightly different selection of Santiago oriented junk. We found Vic’s favorite T shirt store, which appears to have expanded to at least three outlets since we were here.
While proceeding up a street we found ourselves in the midst of a Star Wars parade. Dozens, maybe hundreds, of otherwise normal people (we hope) dressed up as Star Wars characters in varying quality costumes. The parade ended up in the square in front of the cathedral, where there were banners and other signs of celebration. The crowd packed the square, rivalling the daytime pilgrim crowd.
Now it is time to repack the suitcases, and get ready to say goodbye to Santiago. Until the next time………..
Congratultions on achieving your objective without the problems of last year.
We have enjoyed following your blog – the ups and downs (hills) sound exhausting.
Good to see Ivy and family at the start.
Congratulations on having a dream and making it come true – despite shin splints, blisters, weary muscles and torrential rain at times! So proud of your determination and physical ability at your age! I know that I couldn’t do it and a lot of people half your age couldn’t either! Will miss your photos and blog now that it’s over – really looked forward to reading it almost every day! Thank you so much for sharing your amazing journey with all of us!! XXOO
Congratulations! You have certainly inspired me to get out hiking. I especially liked the last 113km – really nice hiking trails. See you soon. Lynn
I thnk I would have hugged Saint James as well. SO happy for you both and love the attitude of “until next time.”
Awesome.
Next time???? Oh, don’t tell me you’re going to walk it again!!!!!