Santiaaaaago!

I made another attempt of a long day's walk to arrive in Santiago on Saturday instead of Sunday, but again, the high temperatures and hard walking limited my mileage. The last couple of days, Eva and Hans and I were joined at the albergues by Divina and Nadine, a very nice mother and daughter from Norway. I walked with the two of them my last long day and it really helped pass the time and I enjoyed their company. I nearly cried when I arrived in the tiny town of Oteiro realizing I was just 10 miles from Santiago. I just couldn't believe it. We checked in at the albergue and the nice girl who stopped by to register us drove us the half mile down the road to the restaurant as we were too tired to walk. We had a nice dinner at a nice restaurant and then the owner of said restaurant drove some of the group up the hill. Eva and Hans had ridden their bikes so I rode Eva's back up the hill but mainly walked it up as it was too steep for the likes of me. I got up pretty early on Sunday and walked into Santiago. I arrived and went to the pilgrim's office to register and then to the pilgrim's noon mass which was VERY crowded as it was palm Sunday and there was a procession and loads of people at the cathedral. In my previous visits it wasn't so crowded so I kind of worried that I wouldn't be able to meet up with any of my cohorts. I had hoped to go shopping to buy Spanish ham, cheese, etc to take home as I usually do before leaving Spain but as it was a Sunday, very few shops were open...mainly souvineer shops. I went to Casa Manolo for lunch. This was the favorite restaurant of my dear friend, Christian, from my first camino. I had a very good and filling lunch and went back to the cathedral which was nearly empty and very quiet. On my way out I ran into Eva and Hans which was great as we'd made no plans to meet up as I was sure I would see them but at this point I was beginning to fear that I would not find them. We went and had a drink and then it was nearly time for me to go to the airport. I did not see the Norwegians but I have their contact information. I had also hoped to run into the Polish/German woman and her daughter. I returned home late last night and Brian had things all prepared for me....the grapefruit juice that i had asked for, various bottles of ibuprofen, Aleve, lotion, foot cream, etc. etc. I've spent the day so far enjoying such luxuries as full sized towels, certain hot water, not having to carry a toiletries to the bathroom etc. etc.

This route, the Via de la Plata, was very hard for me. I had worried before the Camino Frances that I wouldn't be able to do it but after the first day I had no worries as I knew I could. This time i was really never sure that I could walk the whole thing. Three days before the end I considered just taking a bus and hanging out in Santiago. I'm glad I went though. I had a good time. I met lots of nice people. I spoke a lot of Spanish...I think more than on the previous trips...I stopped and talked to lots of villagers. I saw lots of pretty places. As much as I complained, the first two hours each morning were usually very enjoyable. I walked 1000 km. I cannot imagine that I will do that again though.