After porridging with Angelito, Woyzak and Jess, a leisurely start to the short stroll into Santiago de Compostela ... becoming familiar ...
The day dawns mistily, but warm and dry enough and the arrows are soon picked up ... and the meditation pace ... 5 km is comfortable .... soon Jess appears on a hill and we fall in to step for a very pleasant walk into the city, with one short coffee stop ...
Arrows all the way bring us to the cathedral and the photo-stop ... a fond farewell and on to wander, time enough for late lunch and a bed ... brief reunions with Raquel, last seen leaving San Vicente on the Northern Way, Fernando and Ana from yesterday, John, reunited with his French walking companion, Mijo ...Hans-Peter, who reports Aaron's safe arrival ... round to the Day Albergue of the American evangelists, who helpfully suggest the Hospederia San Martin Pinario, the very posh hotel, sympathetically converted from the monastery and training place for priests ... no longer needed ... in decline along with the organisation they served so long ... since this is Santiago, the top floor rooms, in the eaves, are now simple single accommodation, albeit en-suite, with great views (from small windows) of the mountains of Finisterre ... perpetual pilgrim Jose shows the way and for €23, including buffet breakfast, seems like a great way to be here tonight ...
An excellent menu del dia at €10 covers most food needs ...a visit to tourist info helps shape the next steps ... weather forecast may yet influence timings and current rainfall points to a fine museum of pilgrimage, with English explanation to go with the Gallego and Castilian ... and quite rounded interpretation to incorporate pre-Christian origins and note the other traditions and their pilgrimages ... Francois, a woodsman from Holland, touring in his car, interested in eco-villages, though not walking ... a warm connection before retreating to the Hospedario, its 5 star ambience, its wifi, its pilgrim lounge with televisions and a surreal story from the decaying and still dangerous USA ... and some rather noisy guests ... the 4th floor hopefully more peaceful ...
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