Day 34: Arca to SANTIAGO!!! (20k/12.4mi)

April 26, 2017

Today was incredible. The hike, the scenery, the people, the city, the mass, everything. It was everything I thought it would be and more. You know that feeling when you take a perfect bite of food? Like when you take a bite of the center of a sandwich with ample yumminess? Well that’s what today felt like.

First of all, I slept like a baby. I caved and took some medicine to help me sleep since I knew I would be waking up at 5:30. And I’m so grateful I did. It was so lovely to sleep WELL. I left at 6:15am and started the hike in the dark. Thankfully I had a headlamp!

There were SO many people on the trail today. Groups of 20 people taking up the entire road making it tough to pass. But finally I broke out of the mob of people and stopped to get breakfast. I decided to get a couple snickers to celebrate, see the picture below of myself and Michel with our treats!

The hike today was wonderful, it was so green and full of eucalyptus forests, again! And it was chilly, which helped me not sweat and no added blisters 🙏🏼When we arrived at the top of Monte de Gozo, where you can see Santiago, I felt such a burst of energy! Better than any coffee or Cafe Bombon, haha!

I basically ran the rest of the way, or atleast it felt like it. By the time I saw the Santiago sign, it felt like I had just started hiking. Couldn’t believe I was already there.

I rushed to town to get to the hotel and go to the noon Pilgrim Mass. I had no idea what I was in store for. What a magical experience. Apparently there was a group of people from Italy who paid the €300 to have the insense censer, aka the bontafumeiro. I definitely cried.

After mass ended I immediately went to lay my hands on the golden statue of Santiago. Then headed down to the crypt where the bones of St. James are held. Again— cried throughout this as well, haha!

After finishing at the Catedral, I headed over to get my Compostella, aka certificate. After waiting in line for an hour, I managed to get the piece of paper that will soon be framed 😍

From there I headed back to the hotel room to relax before dinner. Took a bath and relaxed in the quiet room for a couple hours, it was such a nice contrast to the rest of the day.

Dinner was incredible, got to hangout with some of my first, original Camino family members. Then we headed over to this albergue where everyone else was. What a night! Malcolm was there with his guitar and Christian (who is a music teacher) played the drums using various cups and glasses. It was so lovely to enjoy live music from pilgrims one last time. At the end, Malcom gave his guitar to Christian. It was a tender moment, and of course I was crying most of the night.

It was an emotional day. And it made me so grateful for the journey to Finnisterre and Muxia, so I could fully process everything. I feel like the past 34 days flew by. But I guess that’s what happens when you’re surrounded by love ❤

Still a bit sleepy, but soon will be awoken with a sugar rush!

Last Tortilla and fresh squeezed orange juice before Santiago! And my snickers haha 😂😍

Green on green on green

The outer edge of Santiago as seen from the Monte de Gozo.

The first sign of Santiago! 😍🎉

So much happiness!

Was so happy to reunite with Sebastian! 😍

Obligatory jump photo

The altar inside the Catedral (a bit of construction)

Loading the incense censor

Wish I could upload the video, but it was incredible

Laying hands on the golden statue of st James (behind the altar)

The bones of St James in the crypt

Obligatory selfie in “normal” clothes LOL

Where we had a delicious dinner

Our amazing charcuterie board

Malcolm signing his guitar before giving it to Christian. Along the way, he asked pilgrims to sign his guitar and wanted to leave it in Spain, who better to leave it with than a spirited music teacher? (Aka Christian)

Handing it off!

Front and act! Yours truly signed along the tail of the gecko ❤

Christians drum set! Aka cans and glasses

Snap shot of the video of the guys playing music