Via de la Plata - My second Camino: Day 9

Overnight, the rain let up and we woke up to a fresh morning sunrise.  Everyone in the dormitory room was up and about by 6:00am.  All the things we own must be put away again in our backpack before the 7:30am breakfast time at the next door cafe.  Remember the four Spaniards I met the day before?  I saw them at the breakfast table.  They must have started their day walk earlier somewhere and made a coffee stop at this bar, too!  This was a Sunday so it could be a bit challenging to get the required two "sellos" (stamps) for the day.  I figured a bar cafeteria or two would be open along the way.  Having walked more than 10-11 kms distance before, the last 10 wouldn't be a problem anymore.  At 8:10am that morning, I was on my way to Santiago.

One last look at Albergue Reina Lupa before heading out on the trail.  That small white building on the right was our dormitory, the middle structure was the bar cafeteria restaurant. 

One hour into the walk, after passing through some of the magnificent views of the countryside, I felt the need to change my footwear from hiking boots to sandals.  This to prevent a hotspot from developing into a full blown blister.  Some curious and nice peregrinos like Boba, from Taiwan, whom I met the day before at the grocery asked if everything was okay.  She was fascinated by the mint sprig I've carried with me on my sunhat lanyard.  She asked if ok to take a picture of me because of that.  I like to sniff the fresh mint smell during the walk and from time to time.

Changing my footwear proved to be a much better option at that time.  My feet started feeling better in wool socks and sandals.  As I got closer to the destination, the views started changing, too.  The vast rural scene has been supplanted with signs of civilization.  Many housing structures now dotted the countryside.

The sign of civilization and the realization that the pilgrimage walk is coming to a close.  That was John and Katy at the farthest end of the road.

Like I said earlier, it was a Sunday, but somewhere down the route, we heard fireworks going off in the distance.  I recall from previous Spain visits that sounds like that could be from some kind of a town fiesta celebration at this time of the year.  Indeed, it was the San Cristovo do Eixo town fiesta.  I saw the spot where the town people were gathering.  Most of them in best Sunday attire, especially the older ones.  It was near the small chapel where the festivities was being held.  I couldn't pass up the moment without sketching the scene.  After a quick sketch, I went over to the tent where the local organizers were gathered, asked if they have a "sello" to stamp my sketchbook.  Happy to note their names - Agustin, Marla, Sara and Natalia as they made it on my sketchbook.  They were delighted to see it. They even offered me free churros and cafe!  Such generosity and hospitality.  Eventually, they found their event stamp so I got one on my pilgrim passport and on my sketchbook.

I was almost sure to bypass the small church filled with townspeople but I decided to stop and take a peek inside.  Slowly I moved my way toward the church.  And then it hit me.  I saw the name "Capilla Sta. Lucia, 63" etched in stone on the facade of the church.  I felt a sudden jolt.  I almost froze with what I saw.  It was then I realized that somehow my late sister was with me the whole time I was walking the Camino!  Lucille was born in 1963.  Perhaps it was her way of making me aware of her presence.  I was overcome with emotions.  Here I was almost at the end of my walk and questioning why it felt differently than the Camino Frances I walked from the year before.  On the last day of that walk, I unexpectedly came upon the Iglesia de Sta. Lucia in Lavacolla which really surprised me and touched me.  And now, six months later, on the last day of walk, I was again touched and surprised by this coincidence.  Both unforgettable moments in my Camino experience.  I entered the church, bought a candle, lit it up and said some prayers before leaving the church.  As I walked away from this place, my sadness was slowly lifted with gladness and gratefulness for everything that happened. 

Nearing Santiago, I followed the arrow signs to "Cafe Bar Los Cruces, Aixo Santa Lucia" for a cafe con leche and also obtain the second sello mark of the day.   I made a quick sketch of the bar counter and had a name, Javier, added to my sketch.

 

The nearer I got to Santiago, the more prominent the yellow arrow and shell signs can be seen.  I slowly started feeling the joy of accomplishment. From a distance, I could see the church's twin towers.  

I don't know how many different churches were built around the city but I came upon one older church where I was captivated by its architecture.  I had to sketch it, and in the process, collected another passport stamp from the church office that day. 

They say that the view to approach to the city from this route is the best so I was thankful to see it for myself.  I agree that it was scenic, dramatic, and beautiful alright.

After six days and five nights on the Via de la Plata pilgrimage walk from Ourense, I happily made it to Santiago de Compostela with raised fists in jubilation.

A few side notes after this picture was taken:  I went to the pilgrim's office to obtain my Camino certificate before coming back to this spot to sketch the view.  I still had two hours to kill before I could check in my hotel.  Two Japanese boys, Wataru and Aturu, became interested in my sketching.  I found out that one of them also likes to draw.  Both have walked the Camino with their father, Tatsuru, and must have also finished the walk same day I did.  How funny that I also stumbled upon Stephan nearby and we happily hugged each other for a celebration.  He saw Hannah, Brian and David at the pilgrim's office earlier and also asked about me.  Although I didn't see them, I would later join them for the rooftops tour of the cathedral.  Earlier, I ran ito Paco at the entrance to the square.  We too hugged each other in joyful celebration.  Everything feels good.  Best of all, it didn't rain, the sun was up, and it was just pure wonderful feeling that I finished walking the Via dela Plata route to Santiago de Compostela.