Santiago Sightseeing

Waking up the next day after arriving in Santiago and completing my Camino felt like Boxing Day, Christmas Day is filled with great fun, food, friends, family and excitement, Boxing Day to me is always so peaceful with a Christmas Day glow.

First I did a walking tour of the old city, the guide spoke in English, it was fantastic we didn’t move far from the Cathedral our guide explained the history and architecture of the city. Also the significance of some of the beautiful jewellery and wares for sale in the stores. There are many beautiful shops to gaze in the windows at. There is also a growers market but I needed to get back to the front of the Cathedral for my next tour.

I took the Portico tour of the Cathedral this took over 2 hours and is fascinating it includes many of the important areas of the Cathedral as well as the Cathedral itself. The Portico (Porch of Glory) has been restored so no photos no touching and is the reason the front doors are not used anymore more, everyone comes and goes via a side entrance now. The stonework, history and symbolism is explained really well during the tour again in English. We saw the Botafumeiro in place, it having just been returned after being away for safety checks for 6months. The Botafumeiro is a large solid silver canister that incense is placed in and swung during special services and if someone pays (donates) €450, I don’t see it swing. It takes 8 people to manage the ropes that make it work, I did see this display in a store window which I think is a lovely depiction of what it must look like. The Holy Door is at the back of the altar this is only used when it is a Holy Year, when St James day falls on a Sunday, next one is 2027. The queue to go and see the canister containing the relics of St James is very long so I opt for a sit down and cold drink. I am still a little wobbly especially on stairs.

Suddenly I hear ‘Sharise’ it’s an American pilgrim I met off and on for the last 2 weeks. He’s flying out tonight for more time in the South of Spain it was great to catch up with him and his Buddy.

I caught up with Jenny for tea and cake at the oldest cafe in Santiago, Cafe Casino 1866, definitely worth a visit. No photos allowed!

Via the powers of WhatsApp I have managed to keep in contact with the American lady who I walked up the two mountains with, her family joined her on Camino from Sarria and they are cooking dinner at their AirBnB and have asked me to join them. Along with another pilgrim from the US we have a delicious vegetarian pasta and salad followed by Santiago Tart, there are two birthdays to celebrate as well as our reunion and farewell.

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My Day at the Ocean

Some pilgrims after completing their journey opt to walk an additional 4 days to Finisterre and Muxía.

I opt to be a busagrino and take a day tour out and back. We leave at 9am and get back just after 6pm.

Medieval pilgrims used to come to the this area believing it to be the “end of land” they also used to burn their clothes apparently, none of that today, it’s not allowed now. I also need my clothes.

Seeing the coast was so refreshing after being inland for so long, as I approached the zero marker there is the Galician bagpipes being played it felt a bit like the arrival in Santiago.

As well as the lighthouse we visited a waterfall and Roman bridge at Muxia there are many myths and legends about St James. We had a lunch stop in Finisterre. I had seafood salad this area is renowned for it’s seafood, I even got to try razor clams which were great!

I loved visiting the coast and am really pleased I did.

Back in Santiago a few of us who are in town catch up for Paella, Tony and Johann, who bought two Australian blokes from Melbourne and Jenny and also one of the Pilgrims I met on the first night in St Jean. Amazing connection! Paella was great too.

Tomorrow is my last morning in Santiago I am heading out for further travels in Europe.

Santiago is a fascinating vibrant city full of history and so many people completing their Camino. You can just sit in the square and feel the emotion any time of the day. So that’s what I did on my last morning, just sat and watched the first pilgrims of the day arriving, there are shouts of joy, tears, clapping and people connecting with loved ones at home all celebrating their arrival.

And with that I’m off to the bus station!