Day off in Santiago de Compostela

The only scheduled item on the agenda is attending the Mass at 12:00 pm. Due to the high demand, it is recommended to arrive early. So at 11:00 am, I sit on a church bench and let the scene unfold before me. The church fills up quickly and many cameras and cellphones are in use, including mine. Shortly before 12:00 pm, the room is filled. 'Silencio', as the man at the microphone repeatedly requests from the visitors, does not come about. People are chatting as if at a weekly market. It's not until the priests enter that silence ensues. The Mass is not as I had hoped, and that is not only due to the language barrier. Everything seems smooth and rehearsed.

After Mass, I stroll through the city. There are beautiful corners in the side streets, and the rest are souvenir shops where I will also stop by after my return from Finisterre.

That's the cue, I go back to the hostel, grab a bite to eat, and plan my tour. There will probably be 4 stages and 1 day off. Let's see who I meet along the way, Moritz and George are also considering doing the tour.

Phew, a day off is quite exhausting. I'm looking forward to hiking again tomorrow.

And in the evening, life pulsates again. I coincidentally met George, who is (unfortunately) taking the Flixbus home tomorrow, 30 hours to Eindhoven and then a short distance.