We are here!  Because of the collective energy of all the happy pilgrims on the trail today, walking was much easier.  In fact, on today’s long steep climb to go around the airport, Melanie walked it in the same time that I did.  Normally, she is faster than I am on the flat bits but this was Melanie’s breakout climb. I think we should do some more climbing ~ maybe in the Alps.

I heard a man at dinner last night say  that the trail today was going to be boring and ugly. He was hitting on two Dutch women  and he was making an uneducated guess. He was wrong. I thought about correcting him but I wasn’t supposed to be eavesdropping and, coincidentally, one of the women he was with was the woman who was very unhappy about Melanie clearing her plate of unfinished food earlier that day. 

In iithe Plaza de Obradoiro in front of the Cathedral, we had a fantastic time just hanging out with fellow pilgrims, greeting out friends as they come in. A lot of tears and squeals of joy continued on for several hours.  Later, at the pilgrims office, we collected our Compostelas in record time,  under three minutes. 13 years ago, I recall waiting In a queue for hours.  

Despite not needing to wake early tomorrow, I need sleep. Thank you to everyone who has provided support and encouragement,  especially Alex, George, Leo and even baby Stella who all called just as we arrived at the Cathedral. Their timing was perfect, as was our whole day. 

Peace y’all, until….?

The moon has a face and it smiles on the lake
And causes the ripples in time
I’m lucky to be here with someone I [love]
Who maketh my spirit to shine
~ still Warren Zevon, still playing in my head