We were on our way a little before 7am, for our last day on the Camino. First, we passed through San Anton, then saw another scene from the Hobbit. Next, we went from spooky countryside to just the opposite, crossing the highway spotting a in for a landing at the Santiago Airport. We stopped in The Patio at San Paio for a break just after 8am. After our break, we continued through Lavacolla, passing the 10 kilometers post. By 10:30 we were in Monte de Gozo, but it wasnt like it was 5 years ago. We didnt see any memorial and any place for great views, so we kept going. Just about 11am we entered Santiago de Compostela, and a half an hour later we spotted the Cathedral spire down the street.
At 11:47, we entered the plaza, sans the bagpipe player, and reached the Cathedral. Even though Id been here before, it was a great sight and a great relief. We took a couple of photos, then headed to the credentials office for our pilgrim credentials. It was a lot different than it was in 2017. You had to scan a QR code, or fill out a
form, then through the building, down some steps to another office to get your number. Then, you had back upstairs and stand in line until they called your number. Mine was 413, and they were calling 372 when I got in line. Because you have to wear a face mask, and I couldnt find mine, Manoli went first, then I did. The wait wasnt that long, and soon enough I had my 3rd pilgrims credential. I went back out, found Manoli, and we started looking for our pension, The Pension 5 Caminos. It took a bit, but it was quite close to the Cathedral. In fact, we could see the church spires easily from you balcony.
We had a private room, with a shared bathroom and kitchen. It was pretty decent, to some of the other places we stayed. We stored our gear and went out looking for something to eat for lunch. We ended up choosing the Galeria Toural, pretty close to where we were staying. Manoli had another salad and I had meatballs, rice, fries and an egg. After lunch, we wandered around, checking out the Cathedral and the Palacio. Manoli took a
tour of the Cathedral while I waited outside. Id already seen it twice before, and attended mass with the waving incense burner once. Next, we needed to buy tickets for the train ride to Salamanca, that Manoli wanted to visit. We already had our bus tickets, round trip from Santiago to Finesterre and back, which we verified were valid. The nice guy at the train station went out of his way to get us tickets to Madrid and from the same station to Salamanca.
I ended up going to the store to buy dinner, which I fixed in the kitchen, and Manoli had some fruit and stuff. Tomorrow we take a bus to Finesterre to see the end of the world, something I didnt do the other two times Id been on the Camino.
