The Compostela is the document that certifies that a pilgrim has completed the Camino de Santiago. The Compostela is awarded by the Church authorities …. This accreditation was created in the 9th and 10th centuries when the pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint James the Apostle was given official status…. But these were easy to falsify, and in the 13th century the Church decided to replace them with the cartas probatorias or evidentiary letters, which are the direct predecessor of today’s Compostela.
I met Steve (from Kentucky) through my camino buddy, Simone Grosdidier. Such a nice Person! Walked with him a bit out of some village, enjoyed a number of group meals and end of day Cheers! His wife has now joined him and they are off for a Spanish vacation!
Pilgrim Ann walked into Santiago several days ago! We first met through a Facebook Camino group for women, then finally in person on our first day in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port before our September 5 Camino start.
October 16: The usual stage is Pedrouzo to Santiago (about 20km), but I made two short days out of it. It was such a short walk I almost forgot to take pictures. A few last visits with camino families who would be walking on to Santiago, a stroll around Lavacolla and a big pat on my own back for stopping the day before the afternoon rain storm.
Pilgrim pup with its humans. Church in San PaioInside the San Paio churchChurch in Lavacolla Rio Sionlla In Lavacolla where medieval pilgrims would wash before entering Santiago.
As a reminder, I am walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route of the Camino Frances. There are many Camino routes to Santiago de Compostela- the Frances is the most popular and has the most developed infrastructure in terms of number of villages, places to eat and sleep, medical care, and other first-world resources.
Starting in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France, and ending in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, one walks 790 kilometers / 500 miles through northern Spain. The path is about 60 miles inland from the northern coast. (The Camino Norte is the northern most route close to the coast.)
Today, October 15, I’m about 40 km away from Santiago. Normally, this would be a two-day walk, however, today I will walk 20 km and then break the last 20 km stage into two, short 10 km days. I want to arrive in Santiago rested and early in the day.
From wiki: The Camino de Santiago, known in English as the Way of St. James, is a network of pilgrims’ ways or pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition holds that the remains of the apostle are buried.
Tidbit: Ribadiso da Baixo has a population of 9. Obviously their economy is entirely pilgrim-based.
Today’s path continued through woodlands. There is infrastructure improvements in many villages. I wonder if the villages received COVID grants to help this Camino-based economy? The result of the roadwork was a net increase of 4 km to an already 25 km day due to detours and reroutes. (At least, I’m guessing that’s what caused the extra 2.5 miles.) I walked my 16.5 miles and taxied the unexpected extra 2.5 miles. I was at my limit.
There were two routes out of Portomarin. I think this elevation map was for the more difficult route. The easier route wasn’t shorter, but had less elevation gains.
Leaving Portomarin. This misty fog lasted a couple of hours. I forget how tired I am on paths like this. The camino always passes by the village churches. If you don’t have the app to find the Camino, get to the church and you’ll be back on the path. We are above the clouds.
