Camino Primitivo

Opino to Santiago de Compostela

September 19 2023

Maureen and her crew were staying 5 kms further down the road from where Bob and I were so we got up early and were prepared to leave early but it was just too dark so we wound up leaving at 8:00 Am any way.  

It was almost surreal trudging along in the predawn light with the heavy fog and mist which was clinging to all of the trees.  About the only sound being the trudging sound from all of the boots in the wet gravel.  Then a very large drop of very cold water would fall out of the trees and hit you ride on the top of your head.  I jumped more than once after being hit. with a large cold drop of water.

The ladies were waiting for us on the trail and we were off towards Santiago.  Only 15 kms to go.  It seemed to take forever as I was wound up and ready to go but we are stopping for coffee or stamps for the pass port, or bio breaks, or more group pictures, or some one has wandered off.  

Finally we come to a marker which says 10.000 kms to Santiago.  Got to stop here for such a unique mileage post marker.  

The fog burns off as we enter the city of Santiago about 11:30 with just under 9 kms to go.   When we did the Portuguese Way we came in from the SW and in side of the city there were no markers but coming in on the French Way there were markers all the way to the cathedral and of course there was a huge parade of pilgrims to follow.   

We headed straight to the Pilgrims Office to get our certificates and as we were a group of six we got to go to the group sign in which had no line up.  In 15 minutes we had our certificates.  The line up for singles looked like it was at least a couple of hours.  A few group pictures in front of the cathedral and off to lunch.

Hard to believe I am here.  Not a single blister, no sore knees,  no aches or pains.  Camino Primitivo is 321 kms and is suppose to be one of the hardest Caminos do to all of the mountains.  So I am pretty happy to have completed this one and be here in Santiago de Compostela.  

Terry