Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain

The pilgrimage has been done for centuries and people come from all over the world to make it, mostly from all over Europe. My reason for taking this had to do with many things, friendship, the challenge, the hiking, the 'spiritual quest' and knowing the feeling of accomplishment would follow.

Many people take the pilgrimage very seriously, they go alone, they take what they need on their backs, they have religious reasons or notions about suffering. I did not, so I signed up with a friend to a group that would tote our luggage and book the hotel rooms in advance.

The trip began at Sarria in Galicia at the Hotel Roma. The hiking path is very well marked and there are reminders all along the way that this is the same path that has been walked by other pilgrims, the first one being Saint James.

In Galicia the cemeteries were above ground and must be the original idea for those found in New Orleans. Each mausoleum was decorated with little memories and often flowers.

The second day was from Portomarin to Palas de Rei 24.8K stopping at the Hotel Casa Benilde. Stopping at the cafes along the way for lunch and hotels that included dinner acquainted us with new foods and beverages. The wine served was very young and very good, the food very down to earth and locally grown. These are popular salted peppers that were not at all hot.

The way was very well marked, there was never a problem finding the path. It was a great relief to be away from automobiles for long stretches of time and to breath fresh air.

The third day was from Palas de Rei to Melide 15.2K stopping at the Pousada Chiquitin in Melide. The weather during this trip which was taken in May, 2017 was perfect for hiking. My understanding is that during the summer months this trip has become so popular that there are not many places for the solo pilgrim who carry all on their back to stay for the night because now tour group have booked many places in advance.

The fourth day was from Melide to Arzúa 14.3K ending at the Pension Teodora in Arzúa. The beauty of the area and simplicity of life did not bely the richness and plenty that the inhabitants were rewarded for their rural style of life.

The fifth day we walked from Arzúa to Rúa 18.3K stopping at the Hotel O'Pino Pedrouzo. All along the way on this path could be seen the Hórreo which are grain storage bins that used to hold the grain for planing for the next year. Some of these are still in use for this purpose although many have simply become a symbol of the family's success and richness.

The final day was from Rúa to Santiago de Compostela 20.8K for the final pace into the cathedral for the pilgrims' mass and receiving the certificate of completion and a night at the Hotel Lux. The pilgrim's mass at the Cathedral of Santiago is not to be missed as there is a Botafumeiro ritual which is quite exciting. The clerics really get to swinging and the huge botafumeiro has only flown off twice in the many hundreds of years of performance.