Day 30: A Salceda to Santiago de Compostela

I have completed the Camino de Santiago! According to the official certificate, I walked 779 kilometers (484 miles) from St. Jean Pied de Port to the cathedral square in Santiago.

Started the morning with my usual breakfast. Four women from four different continents.

Busy day on the Camino. I do firmly believe that everyone has their own unique Camino experience, and all are legitimate. That said, however, I may have grumbled a tiny bit to myself about the “tourigrinos” in my way. As one Spanish guy told me a few weeks ago, the locals differentiate between “peregrinos,” or pilgrims, and “tourigrinos.” They seem to have a lot of respect for the peregrinos, less so for the tourigrinos.

But I digress…

Entered Santiago about 1:00pm with a few kilometers to go to the cathedral.

The square is filled with pilgrims and sometimes family members. Lots of tears as the reality begins to sink in. And lots of hugs as Camino friends reunite. I met Brigitte my first week on the Camino, and we’ve run into each other off and on since then.

Off to the pilgrim reception office to pick up my official certificates: one pilgrim certificate in Latin, and another certifying completion of the entire Camino Francés from St. Jean Pied de Port.

Ditched the walking pole

…and the worn out, smelly shoes

Grabbed a celebratory lunch with my usual cerveza 0.0.

Then settled into my albergue, where I will stay for the next two nights. This will be the first time in 34 days that I have slept in the same town for more than one night.

One last time, “Buen Camino!”