Day 18 and 19: Santiago de Compostela
Our first two days where we do not have to be anywhere or take a walk, have provided us a good contrast. Day one – let’s appreciate this fun city together. Day two – let’s relax and appreciate being together.
For the past two weeks, we have had only a few goals each day walk – eat – sleep. It has provided a lot of focus and allows other worries to fall away.
Now on our first day after our walk, we get to decide what to do. Since we couldn’t join our Canadian friends last night for the Cathdral rooftop (!) tour, we have ours booked for 6 pm. And since we haven’t attended mass in the Cathedral, yet, we plan to go at 7:30 pm. And since our Irish friend suggested a great place for lunch we have that booked at 2 pm. And it is our first full day, so we know we like these walking tours when we come to a new city, so we book that at 10 am, and during the day, we text our Australian friends from the third day and agree to meet for coffee at 4 pm.
And with that our first full day is planned.
It ended up being a great day packed with more stories, amazing food, and still some sun. We even stopped in at the local bar and listened to some great bag pipes, accordion and even joined in with some dancing.
The second day we didn’t get out of our room until about 10 and we decided to eat the market food Siri had purchased for brunch on our “sun porch.”. The rain was coming down hard and so we decided to do the cathedral museum and walk a bit around the park under our umbrellas. We felt sorry for the pilgrims arriving drenched in their ponchos, but we got a few smiles as we exclaimed, “Buen Camino!”
It was a nice contrast in days, each with their own special moments. Like even at the end of the restful day we stopped at the cathedral square and found the same local Mariachi style band (with bagpipes, accordion and bull fighting dances) that Siri missed our first night. Of course we joined in with our own dance steps to finish the evening.
Tomorrow, we take a full day bus tour to Finisterre – which we had originally planned on hiking. Looking at the incoming wet pilgrims and our aching feet, we are feeling good about our decision.
After many competing ideas of what to do with our extra days, we have decided to spend more time in Lisbon to get to know the city. It was a bit stressful to find a place, it being just two days away and then to book the right bus and train. It reminds is that it has been a while since we have travelled this way and we both need to give some grace as we get back into the groove. Fortunately, we both know that it all works out and that we are both good travelers.
Our time on the Camino is coming to a close and we are already starting to process what we have already done and also get ready for the next adventure.
Siri and David Adventures 