After 500 miles, 31 days, and 1,201,5000 steps we walked into Santiago Monday afternoon. Emotions flooded us as we crested the hilltop at Alto Gozo and got our first view of the city. Tears, hugs, elation, and amazement of what we had just accomplished came all at once. Finally the journeys end was in site. The Cathedral was just another 3.7 miles from us…and down hill!

As we entered the Cathedral Plaza we walked through a tunnel into the Plaza and the sound of Irish bagpipes resonated all around us. That beautiful sound carried us into the Plaza and to the front of the Cathedal. Again we were filled with emotion. We did it! We walked and hiked and walked and hiked hundreds of miles to get here. Through mountain ranges, steep rocky declines through creeks, over hot barren land for days, lush forests, staying in small ancient villages and big cities and now, finally, we were at the end.

The Plaza was filled with tourists but mostly pilgrims. You could tell who the pilgrims were just by looking at them. Hair long and messy, dirty hiking boots or sandals, clothes faded and of course the pack. The pack that was home to many of us for 30+ days. We hugged and looked at each other knowing what each of us were thinking—we did it, we’re here, well done🙏🏻💕

After about 30 minutes of just enjoying the moment, we headed to the Pilgrim office to get our Compostela. It is a badge of honor for us as is our Camino Passport.

We went to Mass that night to end our journey with prayer. Even though it was in Spanish, the service was meaningful and beautiful. The Cathedral is ornate, filled with stone statues, prayer candles, gold filagree and a huge pipe organ. We toured the Cathedral after Mass and walked through the Holy Doors of Saint James (which have been closed for 25 years, but are open 2016 because the Pope has declared this to be a Holy Year), saw the tomb of Saint James (one of Jesus’ apostles) and touched the gold statue of Saint James (because it’s a Holy Year).

Tuesday we went to the noon pilgrim mass and saw the botafumeiro. That was a HUGE moment for us all and certainly one of the main highlights of our journey.

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We want to thank all of you, our friends and family, for your words of encouragement and prayers. Our hearts are truly filled with love and gratefulness. These girls are ready to come home!

Buen Camino,
Lanny, Deb and Linda