I cried as soon as I saw the spires of the Cathedral, well actually it was a different top.The spires/towers are under renovation/ maintenance. I walked 23 miles yesterday to get to Santiago in time for the 12:00 noon Pilgrim Mass. I met Maria from Switzerland& Luis from Brazil & we all decided to go on to be as close to Compostela. This was the biggest municipal Albergue in Monte de Gozo of all I have stayed in, 500 beds to accommodate the Summer influx of pilgrims as this is the last town before Santiago. The shell in front of the Cathedral marks the zero km. As I had promised St. James, I walked on my knees from the front door to the altar. I was crying the whole time I was saying the Rosary as I was so happy to finally finish the Camino. Actually the distance from St. Jean Pied de Port, France to Santiago is only 775 km. When I go to Finnestera & Muxia it will make 500km. I got my Certificate in Latin, I first told the volunteer that my name was spelled wrong, but she said it is in Latin, JOSEPHINAM.
OK. Then she made a mistake in the certificate of distance walked & wrote down I started Sept.21,2014 & finished October 5,2014. There is no way I could have walked that fast. I had to go back & have it corrected to Sept. 4,2014 which is my Mother's birthday. All is well. This year is also the 800th year of St. Francis pilgrimage to Santiago. How lucky can I get, so I went to the San Francisco Church & got another certificate of St. Francis. On the way to Santiago My 3 young Colorado friends & I walked together & was so happy to be together when we got there. It was a celebration, CONGRATULATIONS from all the pilgrims I had met & walked along the way.
It was such jubilation that you would think WOW, everyone hugging & kissing one another. Hans from Germany saw me & said now it is time for a picture together. We are like long lost friends so happy to see one another, specially me as they all know I walk very slow. But they are always surprised to see me, they say I am everywhere. It was nice to see the Filipino family & their friends. I am staying here for 2 days to rest & start Oct. 7 Tuesday for Finnestera. I will send pictures right away. BUEN Camino. Josie
Sent from my iPad
