Day 49. Santa Irene to Santiago. 22.8 km. We both arrived in Santiago

This was an exciting and emotional day.  At last we were arriving in Santiago.  I got a ride from Juan and Veronica, they were to drop me off at the Parador.  It was a treat to book the Parador for our first night In Santiago.  It would also be easier to get around the cathedral and the plaza with the Parador next to the cathedral.  

Dick and I were in contact via phone.  I wanted to meet him at the Porta do Camino , the entrance to the old city on the camino.  When I arrived at the Parador, he had a ways to go so I went outside the Parador and ran into Val.  I had just arrived and I was so emotional telling her I had tendonitis and could not walk the last weeks.  Being in the plaza near the cathedral was very emotional for me.

I waited for Dick at a cafe at the Porto.  Finally he arrived, we hugged, he sat down for beer and was excited to have arrived in Santiago.  While we were at the cafe the Canadians we had Thanksgiving with walked by and we gave them a hug for making their 100 km. walk.  They were the BRAD Pack! 

Dick and I then proceeded to the cathedral.  I had picked up 3 rocks early on the trip to place in Cruze de Ferro.  Since I did not get there, I gave Dick one to leave at the cross and kept the two in case I took the taxi to get there from Astorga.  I decided not to take the taxi to Cruz de Ferro.  At the cathedral, I saw some tokens left at the tomb of St. James and that was where I left my two rocks.  I prayed for my family and thanked God for all our blessings and our amazing Camino pilgrimage!

We ran into many pilgrims we had run into earlier and specially Dick since he had just been walking.

From the church Dick was eager to unload his backpack and we finally made it to the Parador.  He was exhausted so we opted to eat pulpa at the closest restaurant.  There was one other couple and the Tagalog sounded familiar so I asked where they were from.  Sure enough they were from Manila and had walked the 100 km.  they asked if I ever went to Manila and told them I was going to my 50th high school reunion.  They put 2 and 2 together  and said  they knew Emma and Henry and  I learned they were Marian and Gabby Paredes!  Small world.  

After dinner we went back to the plaza as there was a big group of young kids sitting on the ground playing their instruments, guitar and amazingly the pilgrim we saw much earlier on the walk carrying his trombone was there.  He said he played in the cities and earned his camino money.

It was an amazing day for both of us.  Dick walked every step of the way for 800 km. with his backpack.  I had walked 500 km.  it was an incredible accomplishment.  Evey day we were exhausted from the walk but felt such an accomplishment at the end of the day.  Meeting wonderful people from all over the world, some countries meeting people from that country for the first time like Iceland, Lithuania, Turks and Caicos, seeing beautiful scenery and loving the Spanish hospitality and cuisine was extraordinary.  This was a trip of a lifetime.