Day 31. The final thrust

And so the adventure pauses.

Last night, after my fine meal, while I watched Man City beat Inter Milan for the Champion’s League trophy, I toyed with the idea of taking advantage of the hotel’s offer to drive me to the airport from where I could catch a bus into Santiago de Compostela. However, when I woke up this morning, there was no deliberation. I hoisted on my backpack, slung on my day bag and headed off to complete my Camino.

I walked my normal pace but I took more breaks than I normally would. It was amusing to sit at the coffee bars and watch the pilgrims, some newbies and some veterans, men and women, old and young, from all over the world making their final thrust to the great pilgrimage destination.

No parador this time. I booked a room at the Casa Diocesana Via Lucis, a hospedaría, which was once a convent. It is located within the grounds of the University of Santiago de Compostela. It is simple, close to train station and to the Cathedral, and provides a quiet place to spend the final day.

I walked into Santiago earlier and had a plate of sardines for a late lunch. Now I am sitting at a family restaurant near the Via Lucis, watching families relax on a Sunday afternoon. Boys are kicking soccer balls with their dads, the girls lie on blankets on the grass comparing jewelry and older folks look on as they sip their beer or coffee. I am taking in the unintelligible chatter of the people around me and the twittering of the birds which are enjoying a late sunny afternoon. There is a deep and satisfying peacefulness about this particular place in the universe. I don’t need for it to last forever, but a little longer would be nice.