Day 11 - Arrival in Santiago

Somehow it still feels unreal, but I actually made it😲😍 I arrived in Santiago after only 11 days and about 250km...

We started at 07:45 am and Andres and I had a good pace, so that we were already close to Santiago at 10:30. The route was neither beautiful nor ugly, and today it didn't matter - it simply drew us towards the destination, even though with every kilometer the tear in the corner of the eye got bigger😪☺️ 4km before the end, we had a short stop for a coffee and we waited for the others. Once they arrived, we continued together, but now I really wanted to arrive and I was drawn towards the cathedral, which I then reached as the first of our 'camino family'. However, I wanted to wait for the others before entering the square in front of the cathedral, and gradually the remaining 'family members' arrived - Andres, Chloe, Dana and Arek, Joanna and Kristof. We all hugged each other, tears of joy and relief fell, we hugged each other and finally we all went together to the square in front of the cathedral😊😊😢😃

I think we spent about an hour here, while Ginny and Jim, as experienced peregrinos, were trying to find accommodation for all of us - so we are still together for one last night before Ginny and Jim have to return to the USA😢 Many photos were taken, other pilgrims were greeted and congratulated, and there was a 'we made it whisky' for everyone (Chloe carried a bottle with her all day today💪🏻😅)

Afterwards, we settled into our accommodation in a hostel and after a nice warm shower, we went back to the old town to have a drink, eat something, and then attend the mass for the pilgrims. Ok, maybe more drinking than eating happened before the mass, but the mass (although in Spanish) was very beautiful and moving. The large incense burner may not have been swung, but that doesn't diminish anything... After the mass, we first got a new Santiago sweater, because it got really cold🙈😅 But the subsequent dinner was very good and after a final wine in a wine shop, it's time to go to bed😴

Good night to all of you, from your happy and also somewhat proud Dani😴😘😘