Woke up this morning and realized that I did not have to get my pack all ready and start walking again. It may sound strange to hear this, but I almost missed it a little. There was an issue with my room that the desk clerk mentioned yesterday so I knew that I was going to be changing rooms today. Gave me a little practice packing up my stuff back into my backpack (not that I needed any more practice - got it down over the last two weeks). I got up about 7:30, which is an hour later than when my alarm went off during the Camino stages. I packed up a few things and decided to walk down to the train station so that I knew where it was. It took only about 15 minutes to walk there as it's pretty much a straight shot from where I am (well kinda straight - if you've ever walked down those skinny roads in Europe you will know that they really are not very straight). On my way there I passed the Provincial building (like our Legislature). Not as nice as many of the other buildings I've seen here. On my way back, I stopped at a small Cafe for some breakfast. The menu had an eggs, bacon and toast option, but I've come to learn that there is no guarantee that they are serving it at that time. Sure enough - kitchen wasn't open until 1:00. Toast for break once again! Stopped at a grocery store and bought and orange and some orange juice. Handy to have in the AM to get you going.
On my way back I stopped at the square once again and took a few pictures. This first
one is of the main door of the Cathedral in Santiago De Compostela. One can imagine how many pilgrim's have walked through those doors over the 1000 years that this has been happening. They were very tall - had to be 25 ft. high. There is no way you could reach the knocker on the door. Why would they make it like that? It kinda makes you feel small. Maybe, that was the intention - with the thought that God is so big. I'm not sure.
I took a few more shots as I watched a number of people wander into the square.
Just imagine, every day, more pilgrim's wander in after completing their journey. I heard that there are roughly 600 people a day arriving and that number continues to grow into the hight of the season. Over a year, 200,000 Pilgrims come to Santiago. The number is staggering when you stop to think about it. I have been wondering what sort of economic impact the Camino has on the Spanish economy. I can tell you I went through some pretty small villages along the way. I bet they wouldn't survive without the Pilgrims. The building on the right is some kind of state/government building opposite the Cathedral. The architecture here is really something to see.
I wandered around a little more and stumbled across this interesting photo
opportunity. The light was streaming in through the columns as a young lady stood in the sunlight having a cigarette. I'm surprised at how many people smoke here.
I took another picture of the famous Parador Hotel from the steps of the Cathedral. It
doesn't look like much from the outside - but I hear it's quite ornate on the inside. We looked it up when we were coming and the rooms that we saw were a little over 300 Euro a night. Slightly over my price range (when you consider that my first night in Leon cost me 9 Euro). Jeff and his girlfriend Marlene were staying here (Jeff is the other home builder I ran into on the Camino from Edmonton).
After this I headed back to my room and then out to the Pilgrim mass at the cathedral. It was packed (standing room only) but Brenda had save me a seat. I walked in with Brian so he and I took the bench - and then was joined by Linda, a lady from Vancouver who Brian started with at St. Jean Pierre de Port, France. The ceremony was in Spanish and went for about an hour or so. It ended with the monks swinging the large incense burner like you see in the movie "The Way". I took video. It was cool to be there for that.
Went for lunch with Dave, Shirley and Brenda and Jim. Saw an English gent and his wife that we crossed paths with on the Camino (Stuart and Pauline) who also joined us.
After lunch - I zipped back to the hotel to get my room moved to find out that they
had moved it for me. I'm glad I packed it all into the backpack! My room was on the same floor - just on the other side of the hotel. Not as nice of a view - but it works. I needed to do some laundry, so in fine Pilgrim fashion I did my washing in the sink and assembled a couple of things to help me hang the items to dry by the open window. I have a much greater appreciation for my washing machine at home (I think I said that a few posts ago - but I truly mean it). Four sock, two underware, one wool shirt, and a pair of pants. Took me about an hour to do the whole lot. I just hope it dries before I have to pack it. I guess if it doesn't, there is a hair dryer in y room that I could put to some use...
After completing the laundry, I took a short rest (Ciesta is something that happens every day here in Spain from about 2:00 PM to 5 or 6). Then things open up again and the place Springs back to life. I could get use to that. Ran out to do a little gift shopping - which is Not my favorite past time. I rather like knowing what I need and just slipping in and getting it - but to find something that you need to get for someone else...it just takes forever!
Completed that task and then found Brenda a Jim for our last supper together. I'm off to Barcelona by high speed train tomorrow at 8:30 AM - and then are off to Porto, Portugal by bus. I just love the little narrow streets you can wander down and then find a little place to stop and eat. We had a great dinner and then left to go back to the hotel. We said our goodbyes and hugs all around. I'm really very thankful that they let me tag along. It has been a very cool trip.
Packed a few things an prepared for the morning walk to the train station. Tomorrow's train ride will be a first for me as I'm never taken a train like the before. Looking forward to seeing the countryside again - but this time at a little faster pace.
Buen Camino.
Curt
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