- Lost a whopping 4.5 pounds.
- Lost 2.5 inches around my middle.
According to my Fitbit:
Walked 630 miles. (Rest days, airport days, and walking days)- Averaged 14.5 miles per day on the Camino walking days,
Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago has existed for over 1000 years and dates back to the 8th Century when the remains of St James the Apostle were first discovered in Northern Spain. It is believed that St James preached the Gospel in present day Galicia and on return to Jerusalem he was beheaded by King Herod in 44AD. (Wiki)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camino_de_Santiago
Santiago de Compostela Archcathedral Basilica
The cathedral is the reputed burial place of Saint James the Great, the apostle of Jesus Christ. It is also one of the only three remaining churches in the world built over the tomb of an apostle of Jesus, the other two being St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai in India. Wiki.
| Groundbreaking | 1075 |
|---|---|
| Completed | 1211 |
Santiago Laundromat
Can you believe this place!? I walked a few steps past it because I didn’t recognize it as a laundromat!
October 17: 1112 pilgrims receive a Compostela
Rest Day in Santiago de Compostela
There is much to see and do here, but I’m only taking one day before walking on to the Camino Finisterre. This is a day of rest and of tending to small tasks: a trip to the Pilgrim’s Office for my Camino Finisterre credential, laundry, farmacia for magic Spanish ibuprofen.
I slept until 8:15, toddled down the street for cafe con leche and fresh-squeezed orange juice then stepped a little more lively further down the street for huevos fritas and pan. Now, I’m back in bed working up the energy to shower and start my day. Maybe I’ll be out and about by noon!
A surprise welcoming
Lars ( Germany) This fellow was hanging out in front of the Santiago cathedral awaiting my arrival. We took a picture on his phone, but I don’t have it yet. This photo was taken in Leon.
He gifted me a pretty tube for my Compostela, took me to the location and explained the Compostela-getting process. Then he was off to hail a cab and head home. What a special surprise!
Italian Pilgrims from Rome
Alberto , 73 and son, Damiano with his girlfriend, Valentina.
Met this great family at the top of a hill somewhere while we caught our breath. Alberto is retired military and was well-prepared & trained for this walk. The “kids” didn’t have much time to train, so in the early days, they were getting pretty sore. Damiano is an IT healthcare software designer with a pharmacy solution and Valentina is a doctor. Many conversations, a breakfast and a dinner here and there along the way. Damiano thinks my next walk should be between Toscana and Rome. Hmmmmm
Credential (Pilgrim Passport)
Nearly Every establishment on the camino has a stamp (sello). Pilgrims collect dated stamps to not only prove distance walked, but the credential is also required to stay in albergues meant for pilgrims.
Here’s my 2021 credential.
Certificate of distance
My certificate states I started in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and finished in Santiago de Compostela. 779 kilometers
Accreditation of the number of km covered
In addition to the Compostela, the Pilgrim’s Reception Office offers pilgrims the Certificate of Distance, a document issued by the Chapter of the Cathedral of Santiago certifying the number of kilometres they have travelled, whatever the starting point of their pilgrimage. This new document reflects the desire that many pilgrims have expressed for several years to have an official record of more details of their pilgrimage. It indicates the day and the starting point of the pilgrimage, the kilometres covered, as well as the day of arrival and the route of the pilgrimage.
