Day 38 - Walking from Arca to Santiago (20 km)

I am here in Santiago and I wish someone would notice. We got up this morning around 6am in order to arrive at the Cathedral for the 12pm pilgrim mass. For the walk my guide book described a race to the top of Monte Gozo and then a view of the Cathedral dominating Santiago as you descend into town. I was even told earlier that climbing the last mountain before Santiago was like doing a mountain of cocaine. I got caught with my expectations and anticipation of dramatic entry into the city and the cathedral. I had to walk quickly to make sure that I would arrive on time for the mass. For the first stretch we were advised to walk along the highway for the first few kilometres to have some light, but then near the end the shoulder was no longer painted on the highway and I did not feel safe so I walked in the ditch. I was quite happy to see the camino trail appear on the side of the road and gladly switched on to it. The first part was well indicated and then yellow arrows were few and far between. When I got to Santiago I could no longer find arrows and I got a little lost. I guess in the real world, which is different than the timeless space of the camino, you have to find your own way around using maps. Because we were in a city and no longer in the country few people answered my greeting of ´hola´ and I was mostly ignored.A few pilgrims that I ran into a bit further on directed me to the Cathedral and I went in the side door to find a seat for mass. I was quite tired and only half understood what was read. After the celebration it was a mad rush for all visitors to do the pilgrim traditions of touching your hand to the central column in the entrance, head butting the bust of the architect and hugging the statue of Saint James. I was a little frustrated having to fight my way in line to touch the column that I had walked 776 km to get to. The one place it was quiet was in the crypt with the relics of the apostle Saint James. Afterwards I checked in the pilgrims office for my Compostela. A certificate to attest my walk and on which my first name is written in latin.

I was just out for lunch with an Irish couple I met early on and we celebrated. They reminded me the pilgrimmage is more about the journey than the destination. The two albergues in Santiago are closed right now so I am going to stay just outside of town in one albergue that is open. Tommorrow I want to rest, but I am considering continuing on to Finisterre.