Camino Primitivo

Santiago De Compostela

September 20 2023

I got to sleep in this morning which was really nice.  Had a leisurely shower and down for breakfast at 8:30 am.  

After breakfast it was off to see the cathedral.  The hotel is just a couple of blocks from the cathedral so it didin't take long to walk up the hill.  It was only 9:45 and pilgrim mass was still on so I wandered down the little winding streets of the cathedral district and looked through the tourist souvenir shops.  There certainly is no shortage of items made for selling to the tourists.  Items ranging from under a euro to hundreds of euros.  

The morning drizzle has now turned to a good steady rain which has pretty much cleared the square of the early morning tourists, making it look a lot more like what it looked like in March of this year than the crowded excited crowd I saw yesterday. 

Getting back to the cathedral I took the one entrance on the north side of the cathedral which lead through to see the crypt where the bones of Saint John are housed and then wound around to a passage behind the main alter.  Behind the main alter was a statue of the Virgin Mary which you could touch and your prayers would be answered.  This section was no open in March when I came through.  This passage then lead you back out side.  

I walked around to the other side of the cathedral and entered the main part of the cathedral.  It is an amazing place.  The art work is absolutely over the top.  The main alter is a huge mass of gold and angels bathed in brilliant lights.  The twin pipe organs opposite the main alter must each stand 50 feet tall. Unfortunately a lot of the atmosphere is spoiled by the guided tour guided waving their banners and talking so loud they can be heard every where.  They are offset by the cathedral security asking for silence on the PA system.  

Out on the square it was getting on toward lunch and I had offered to buy Bob a sandwich before he headed off so back to the hotel.  There I met Bob and we went out for a sandwich.  It was really nice and we had a good lunch.  Bob is going to be in transit for something like 36 hours plus an 8 hour layover in Barcelona.  

Back in the hotel I got checked in for my flights tomorrow and confirmed the taxi for tomorrow morning.  

I will have a far well meal this evening with Maureen and the rest of the crew.

IIt has been a great journey with some memorable adventures. However I will be glad to be home. 

There's no place like home.

Terry