On the Camino de Santiago - With our friend, the Semi(s)

Back in Madrid

Jen and I just arrived back in Madrid. Our Camino de Santiago experience has finally come to an end. It´s really kind of sad and I think we both feel a bit melancholy. We´ve been focused for days on getting to Santiago. I never really considered what it would feel like to actually get to Santiago and/or how we would feel after. Plus, it actually feels kind of strange not having to get up and ride a bike all day.

This morning we went to the pilgram´s mass. I´m not even religious and I thought it was a pretty moving experience. 3/4 of the church attendees were pilgrims all dirty and ragged and limping. The cathedral itself is really quite impressive. The mass itself of course I couldn´t understand because it was all in Spanish. Oh well. We saw our Equadorian friends and heard one of them sing Ava Maria (spelling?) which was absolutely beautiful. After mass we went off as good pilgrims do and bought magnets, mugs and a t-shirt for Baby Bob. Ha ha.

Just flew Ryan air into Madrid which was effortless and only 50 minutes long (love it). Tomorrow morning Jen and I are going to conquer the metro and find our way back to the aeropuerto to pick up Le Dora (who by the way, has never flown by herself this distance. I´m already proud even before we go get her). Saturday we say goodbye to Jenny Grace and Dora and I fly off to Roma. I can´t wait to park myself on a beach for a few days. Yahoo!

J

Day 11: Santiago

Ok, Jen and I just realized that we don't have ANY night photos...oh, that's because we're sleeping before it gets dark. She just took some nice photos of the sunset from the rooftop window of our absolutely darling hotel. The hotel staff was the nicest (maybe ever). There was a beautiful outside garden where we could take the laptop and internet and drink wine until our hearts were content...LOVED it.

Tonight is the Manchester vs. Barcelona soccer game. I can hear the chanting & singing over the BBC AND they're setting off fireworks. So much for my awesome sleep. They're going to be up all night!!

Tomorrow is the pilgrim's mass featuring our tenor friend from Equador. He'll be singing Ava Maria. Then off to Madrid on Ryan Air tomorrow afternoon. Btw - Le Dora is getting ready to get on the big bird for our Italian extravaganza! Woot woot

Wooo hooo - just rolled into Santiago!!! Sitting in the sun and drinking beer! 11 days of biking under our belts and we're completo.

Sculpture at Monte do Gozo . . . 4 km to go