Day 38, Stage 35: A Rua to Santiago de Compostrela

Yay!

Crazy rain today.  All day.  Heavy at times… and 22 km to the Cathedral.

Went straight to the Pilgrim’s Office to get our Compostrela, and despite the high unemployment rate in Spain, only 2 people were working, so we stood in the rain for almost 2 hours to get our final stamp and certificate.

But spirits are high and we are all feeling that it was quite an accomplishment.  Saw many people from our walk in town and at the office today, including Aussie Will, who arrived yesterday, and Maryanne and Werner, and Jersey John.  I walked into Santiago with Chris and Karen and Vickie, and since Chris and Karen and I have been walking together since just after Burgos it was wonderful to be with friends at this moment.  Of course the rain did dampen spirits a bit as we got quite wet and cold, but now that I’m dry and warm, and about to head out for some vino blanco (albarino!), to celebrate, it all seems like a bad memory.

Other friends are due to arrive tomorrow:  Kim and Le and David, and the people I met on day -2, Keith and Lynn.  We have a plan to all attend the pilgrim’s mass together tomorrow evening, as we believe they will swing the botofumiero.

No pics — it was literally too wet to pull out the iphone, but I will have some on my waterproof camera when I get home to download.  I plan on posting tomorrow with some of the interesting Santiago bits, and maybe it’ll be dry enough for photos.  Fingers crossed.