It seems like a month ago that we arrived in Santiago, but it was yesterday. We made the hike, got our compostela, found the hotel and ate way too much food. Oh, then slept without an alarm! We had done everything required of a Peregrino, but the mass.

After traveling hundreds of miles, the ancient Peregrino would attend the mass and receive their blessing. Over a thousand years later, Peregrinos continue to do the same thing.

We attended the pilgrim’s mass at noon where the priest, reading off of the records of arrivals from yesterday, announced pilgrims from literally dozens of countries.

One feature of a pilgrims mass in Santiago which is not regularly done is the Botafumeiro, or the swinging of an incense ladened pot through the cathedral while singing is taking place. We were very fortunate to be at a service that had the botafumeiro. If youwatch the movie, “The Way”, they have a really good scene of the botafumeiro. Absent that, here’s my attempt to capture it:

So, it ends. We have carried our burden, left it at the foot of the cross, and received our blessing.  For each of you as you journey, we wish, “Buen Camino”.

We have decided not to continue on to Finisterre. The weather is forecast cold and rainy. As it is not part of the Camino, but rather a choice, we will choose not to do it … this time.

We head to Barcelona tomorrow to become just two more tourists in Spain.