The last day. The last cathedral. The hardest goodbye of all – to you.
📊 Stage Quick Facts:
- Distance: 0 km (The ultimate rest day)
- State of Mind: Overwhelmed with gratitude, disbelief, and beautiful memories.
- Final Mission: Embracing Saint James and saying goodbye to you, my dear reader.
Slowing Down in Santiago
Good morning, my dear fellow pilgrim! Today is our very last day together on this blog. Will you miss me? Because I will definitely miss you!
My suitcase is packed, the check-in for tomorrow morning’s flight is done, the souvenirs for family and friends have been purchased, and yet, a sense of disbelief keeps growing in my heart. Many of my Camino friends were heading out today to Muxía or Finisterre to continue their walk (or just taking a day bus there), but I didn’t want to rush or run on my final day. Instead, I wanted to truly experience Santiago de Compostela, cherish my memories, and slowly wander through the streets of this beautiful, ancient old town.
The Sacred Rituals of the Cathedral
The main point of interest was, of course, its legendary Catedral de Santiago de Compostela. Originally built in the 11th century, it is famous worldwide as the burial site of Saint James the Apostle. Please keep in mind that you cannot enter the cathedral with a large backpack. Luckily, I was traveling light today, completely unburdened.
After exploring the grand interior along with hundreds of other awestruck pilgrims, I followed the path through a small passageway behind the altar to hug the spectacular golden statue of Saint James. Tradition says that if you embrace him from behind and make a wish, it will come true. No pictures are allowed there, so I truly hope that one day you will stand in that spot yourself to be completely mesmerized by its spiritual grandeur. And if you are lucky enough during a mass, you might even witness the breathtaking, soaring flight of the Botafumeiro – the famous, giant silver censer that swings dramatically across the cathedral.
Afterward, I went back out to the main square to visit the Cathedral Museum and study its incredible historical treasures. This was the absolute highlight of my day. I visited a few other places as well, but let us keep the beauty of our main destination as the final, crowning memory of this journey.
I sat for a long time on the steps of the Praza do Obradoiro, watching pilgrims arrive – some crying, some laughing, some just standing in stunned silence. I understood all of them perfectly.
You have reached your destination on this Camino. Another Camino is yet to come. And remember: when one journey ends, another begins!
My Message to You
So, my dear fellow pilgrim, this is the end of this blog and my Camino journey. I have spent hours reflecting and writing these texts for you, putting my whole heart into every word. Behind every single letter, I imagine your eyes and faces as you read this, just as I hope you can see my soul and spirit shining behind my words.
I have carefully selected each picture, and if my blog inspires you even just a little bit to be proactive and set off on your very own Camino, then my mission here is completely fulfilled.
I promise that I will always be right there next to you (virtually) – climbing the Pyrenees, sipping wine or sharing a snack while enjoying the sunsets, laughing, swearing on the brutal downhill to Molinaseca, sliding through the mud to Zubiri, listening to your unique life story over a well-deserved meal, and sharing mine.
Thank you for walking with me.
Truly yours, Elena
P.S. If this journey moved you, you can buy me a coffee – or a well-deserved pilgrim’s meal.