Today was the day! I wanted to get an early start, with my arrival in Santiago mid-afternoon. Today, I choose not to turn on my GPS until I was looking for my hotel. I trusted the Camino route and it was clear. As I walked, there were pilgrims before me and after me. I had a couple of encounters with others. As I rested at a cafe, I met a woman from Germany. She started out alone but connected with another woman for parts of the journey. She was looking to find herself after what seemed to be a filed marriage.. At another point, I met up with Mallory, a woman from the Toronto area – this is her 9th Camino! She gave me a little two-step walk to help with the climbs. I don’t think I got it! When I was checking into the hotel, I ,met up with 6 women originally from the Philippines who relocated, as nurses, to the U.S. They are here celebrating two of the members 60th birthday. Such is the gift of friendship.
There are no words for the arrival at the Cathedral. Pilgrims were scattered about enjoying the end of a journey. Once I found the Pilgrim’s Office, the efficiency of the office allowed me to get my credentials. Once I got the credentials, I found my hotel, checked in and took a shower. Then I readied back to the Cathedral. I did the usual “pilgrim” rituals. I “hugged the apostle, “,the bust of St. James, to express gratitude for the journey and to state why I came. Then I went to the crypt, where the relics of St. James are preserved., I decided to attend the Pilgrim’s mass at 7:30, which was officiated by the Bishop. The Gospel story was the one with the disciples on the way to Emmaus. Only in the breaking of the bread, did they recognize Jesus. I reflected on the people I met this week and, each in their own way, reflected the love of God. The swinging of the large incense burner, the Botafumeiro, is reserved for special occasions. Originally, this was done to fumigate the sweating, and perhaps disease-ridden, pilgrims. I was blessed to have that experience this evening.
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