Day 46: A Lavacolla to Santiago de Compostela | Camino Frances | Camino De Santiago | May-July 2022
Vložit
- čas přidán 11. 12. 2022
- #camino
#caminofrances
#caminodesantiago
#buencamino #santiagodecompostela
July 8, 2022
"A journey of 500 miles begins with a single step"
Camino De Santiago Day 46: A Lavacolla to Santiago De Compostela, Spain
8.8 km (5.468 miles)
We did it!! We walked 500 miles from France through Spain, tired, worn out, and exhausted. But the important thing is that we did it!!
We woke up early today, our goal was to get to the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago De Compostela before the large crowds arrived. With over 2,000 pilgrims currently arriving daily, we were feeling a sense of urgency.
We did our daily footcare regime, ate leftover spaghetti for breakfast, and then we headed out in the brisk morning breeze.
We also wondered if we would see any pilgrims we've met along the way. Most had already reached Santiago days or even weeks earlier.
I don't think we've walked faster in the past 46 days than we did today. Ok, maybe the day we were trying to outrun a youth group in the rain to our albergue awhile back.
We did allow ourselves one break for churros con chocolate and a celebratory sangria and cerveza. Two pilgrims joined us and helped me finish the churros. One was a 73 year old priest who blessed us as we were leaving.
I wasn't sure what to expect as we arrived. I could hear music and people as we walked down the steps and turned the corner into the plaza. Emotions overwhelmed me as our first real sighting of the cathedral in all it's grandeur appeared.
No sooner had we entered the plaza, when I saw my first familiar face. It was Danny from Rochester from so many weeks ago! We couldn't believe she was still here!! She gave me the longest, warmest hug and said she was thinking about us and wondered if she'd see us again. Tears flowed. Camino magic.
We also saw many more pilgrims we've met along the way all celebrating with cheers and hugs. It's hard to describe that kind of fantastic energy.
As we headed to the Pilgrim's Office to get our certificates, we ran into Michael and Thomas from Germany who we'd met days earlier. We congratulated them and promised to return for a drink after our task at hand.
We arrived to the office shortly after they opened at 10 am and we were in and out within 10 minutes. We had anticipated long lines, but evidently we made it before the masses. We both received our Compostela and final stamp in our Pilgrim's Passport. We also each acquired a Distance Certificate for starting in St Jean Pied De Port, France. They wrote our names in Latin, so both our certificates have the exact same name!! Evidently Andre and Andrea are both ANDREAM. We realized one certificate would have sufficed, haha.
The nice young man helping me at the Pilgrim's Office also added my twin sister to my official Compostela. Vicaro Pro meaning "In The Name Of" Danielle Lynn Mitchell Ujvari. I hope she knows. She was a huge part of this journey as well. I hope she's proud.
We returned to meet up for drinks with our pilgrim friends and then all headed to the 12th century cathedral for 12:00 mass. Standing for an hour was painful as no seats were available, but it was so worth every ache. We were very fortunate to witness the botafumeiro as it is unknown when it will swing. More Camino magic.
We sat in the plaza awhile just watching more pilgrims arrive and visited with another humorous pilgrim from Munich who was complaining that his hostel smelt like cheese. We continued to see more pilgrim friends as we all congratulated each other. And once again, Andre and I forgot to eat all day. Nothing since churros con chocolate at 8 am. We didn't realize it until we started feeling lightheaded and dizzy.
We finally checked into our hotel by 3 pm. Initially I had reserved the Parador, a 14th century former hospital for pilgrims, as a sort of celebratory finale to end our Camino in style.
After showers, we found an Italian restaurant a few buildings away. I ate an entire pizza by myself. That's what happens when you forget to eat all day. Andre enjoyed veal and fries and we shared a chocolate mousse creation.
We had plans to meet up with Michael and Thomas again but honestly, we were shutting down. My body just said, "Enough." It was on auto pilot all day, ignoring my leg and foot pains, and now it required rest. I truly could not move another step.
This has been a journey of a lifetime, one that we will continue to process long after we arrive home. And we're still not done. We have plans to go to the "end of the world", Finisterre, on Sunday and then to spend a few days in Madrid spending some more time in Andre's birthplace before returning home.
I will continue to vlog for anyone still following our crazy adventure. Thank you so much friends for coming along for the ride!!
Tomorrow, tattoos in Spain!! Let's do this thing called life!!
Aprovecha el día!!
I am from Asturias (Above Leon) but I live in Orange County CA. I followed you with your videos throughout your experience. It just was wonderful, I enjoyed your music (Grew up in the Seventies), your scenery, your sense of humor and your touch of humility, sincerity, and honesty. Sorry Andre but, like the guy in Logrono I have to throw a kiss to your wife (She is way too cute) I just wonder what kind of music she will put to my kiss. I am 100 % convinced that Danielle was there with you. Such a beautiful homage to your sister!. You are such a good example of how people in the USA should be, such great ambassadors of the values of your nation! I feel nowadays in the USA a lot of love and compassion has been lost and nobody has empathy for anyone. Thank you so much for being who you are and for keeping your good American values alive.
We grew up in the 70's as well, my favorite music. I also lived in Orange County for college in the late 80's and early 90's. Haha, the guy in Logrono, we loved him and thank you for the compliment!! I think Danielle walked with us, she was my inspiration every single day. I'm so happy you enjoyed them and Buen Camino!! 🚶♀️🚶♀️🚶
Love love love so much... heartfelt gratitude for sharing xoxoxo
Thank you for inviting us into see and follow your stories. We laughed all along the way. We will finish Day 46 this evening, just had to start as soon as we saw it posted. Keep walking your Way together in peace.
Buen Camino.
Gracias!! I'm so happy you enjoyed them. Buen Camino!! 🚶♀️🚶
What an inspiration! Ive enjoyed all your videos and the fact you could take your time and go at the pace that was right for you both. What a blessing.
Thank you, we already want to go back someday. I'm so grateful you've enjoyed them!! Buen Camino 🚶♀️🚶
I'm drinking coffee this morning and saw your post. I've watched a couple. I'm meant to watch this day. My nieces birthday is July 8th. She's been gone since 3/7/99. She wanted me to see this. So beautiful
Aww, you were meant to watch this one Luci. Your beautiful niece was sending you a hug I'm sure of it. Twin hugs twin friend and Buen Camino 💙💜
I have thoroughly enjoyed your journey, thank you for sharing it in what must have been a trying experience for you. Well done.
Thank you so much! I'm so grateful you enjoyed it!! 🚶♀️🚶
Thank you. I have loved all your videos. Your music choices have been great.....we must be similar ages. I am going in May and your stuff has been so helpful to me. I hope you found some calm for your sister. Thanks for sharing your story. Tony, Scotland.
Thank you so much, still processing the Camino and what we gained from it. But doing the videos has helped to remind us. We are in our early 50's and grew up with the tunes, I'm so happy you enjoyed it. ✌️ Buen Camino for your upcoming May journey..and remember..don't skip Samos!! 🚶♀️🚶
Well done folks on achieving your goal!! Thanks for sharing it with the world and for taking time in what I know are long, hot days to video the scenery and your reactions. Very enjoyable and so familiar, Graham - Pilgrim May 2022
Thank you pilgrim~we already want to go back!! Buen Camino!! 🚶♀️🚶
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! What an incredible finish and a great way to sum it up. Andres outtakes were hilarious! I was so happy to complete the Camino last summer, but so very sad to say my goodbyes to a group of fantastic people. But I will be back next year! I will be watching for your other videos. Thanks for bringing back some incredible memories for me and maybe next time we will collide somewhere. Cheers guys!
André's footage wasn't used until this video and it was so funny I wish I would've used it earlier. Those post Camino blues are real, even working on the videos I felt the highs of the Camino and the lows of it ending..we want to go back and excited for you for next year!! Buen Camino pilgrim!! 🚶♀️🚶
OMG your Camino was amazing, and your husband’s out takes hilarious, all this time I’ve thought what a funny guy but the end of your Camino is so cool. You both are so sweet, patient and real. I also thought your sister Dani was all along with you. What a sweet thing to do in her name. Before I started watching your videos one of several reasons I want to do the Camino is for my parents and oldest brother who passed unexpectedly a few years ago, they wanted to travel so much but didn’t get to so in a way I want to do it for them too. Buen Camino siempre.
They'll be walking The Way with you as well. May you have a very blessed Camino and thank you so much for all your heartfelt words. 🚶♀️🚶✌️
Thank you for putting in the effort on top of walking the Camino. We are special batch, we started and finished. I experienced the pilgrims mass on October first. Buen Camino.
Muchas Gracias!! 🚶♀️🚶✌️
I would be fun to do part of the Camino on horse…like in the good old days…
Yes, André loved it. Not me so much, they are beautiful but scare me!! 😂🚶♀️🚶
Thank goodness for the outtakes at the end to make me laugh so hard. I was definitely crying pretty hard through your journey this last day (Ken was worried about me😅). So completely beautifully done - I can’t get over it. Thank you so much for this emotional, fantastic ride - oops, sorry walk - with you and Andre - and Dani. 💗💗.
Thank you pilgrim friend!! I needed to lighten the mood at the end, I was having the post Camino blues even just doing the videos. I'm sure my Dani walked with us so thank you for including her. Pilgrim hugs, Buen Camino!! 🚶♀️🚶♀️🚶
@@wedofly1998 💗💗. Merry Christmas to you and your family
@@nancyjohn9459 Merry Christmas Pilgrim friend!!🎄❤️
I love that so much - we are Pilgrim Friends! Maybe one day I’ll be lucky enough to meet you in person.❤
@@nancyjohn9459 we should!! And compare stories!! 🚶🚶♀️🚶🚶♀️
Congratulations YOU MADE IT!!! 😊😊😊
Gracias!! Buen Camino!! 🚶♀️🚶✌️
MAJOR CONGRATULATIONS _ BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR A LONG TIME !!!!!!!! WELL DONE
Thank you so much and for all your encouraging words!! We will still post a few more days but this was a very grand day indeed!! Buen Camino!! 🚶♀️🚶
Thank you for sharing
Gracias, Buen Camino!! 🚶♀️🚶
Man-oh-man! What fun it's been watching your videos! Montanan here and was living in Bozeman at the time I walked. I was amazed at how easy it was to assimilate to the elevation in the Pyrenees--a Californian we met, not so much. A friend and I walked a little over 200 miles in 2018: SJPP - Zubiri, trained to Ponferrada (due to time constraints), and walked the rest to SDC. Hoping to return next year and do it solo. Loved the outtakes!! You guys rock!!
How exciting for you, positive vibes for your upcoming solo journey!! ✌️ That totally rocks!! Thank you so much, I'm grateful you enjoyed the videos!! Buen Camino!! 🚶♀️🚶
Loved your videos. Much thanks!
Thank you so much, it was a long hike but so worth it!! 🚶♀️🚶
Congratulations Guys, thanks for sharing your journey truly enjoyed your videos. Cheers Tony
Gracias, I'm so happy you enjoyed them!! Cheers!! 🚶♀️🚶
The magic of the camino will always be with you. Possibly Santiago will call you again. Ultreia. Buen camino.
Thank you so much, we already feel the calling to return again someday. Ultreia!! 🚶♀️🚶
We finished the same day as you all. Figured we would not cross paths because our start dates were different. At the Pilgrim's mass, if you go to 10:35 in your video, I am the guy in the Patagonia blue shirt filming the botafumeiro just in front and to the left of you. What an awesome adventure. Congratulations to both of you. Buen Camino!
That's so awesome!! There you are right in front of us, it's a small pilgrim world!! That was such an incredible day and experience to witness the botafumerio, it really was an amazing adventure. Congratulations to you as well pilgrim, Buen Camino!! 🚶♀️🚶
Simplemente Genial!. Buen Camino forever.❤️
Gracias!! Buen Camino forever 🚶♀️🚶
Totally loved watching your journey! We walked in 2021 after delaying as you did for Covid. We are already booked for 2023. The Camino stays with you! Thanks for sharing your journey!
How exciting, we want to go back again..not sure when but the Camino is calling!! Buen Camino and may your journey be magical!! 🚶♀️🚶✌️
Congratulations my Camino friends - Thanks for sharing your journey which brought back so many wonderful memories for me. Finishing the Camino is a bittersweet, exciting and joyful experience. Buen Camino and Ultreia
It is, and the post Camino blues are real. I'm so grateful you enjoyed them and thank you so much for your encouraging words!! 🚶♀️🚶✌️
Thanks for sharing your Camino experience on CZcams. I enjoyed so many things about your videos, they were short, they were real, and it took me back to my own caminos (I’ve done 3, well, 2.5…). More importantly, they made me look forward even more to my next Camino, April/May next year. Buen Camino to you both. P.S.: I loved Andre’s outtakes! 😂
You're so welcome and WOW.. 3 and going back again!! How exciting!! We already want to go back as well, it's calling again. Buen Camino to you for your upcoming pilgrimage!! 🚶♀️🚶✌️
I really enjoyed your journey and hope someday we'll bump into each other in town (Motown or PLake). Buen Camino!
Yes, I'm sure we will!! Thank you so much for your encouragement and the necklaces, we wore them the entire way!! Buen Camino!! 🚶♀️🚶✌️
You had a very Buen Camino! May you be blessed with splendid memories of your journey to Santiago de Compostela. Still Buen Camino!
Gracias, we feel blessed and grateful for the journey. It was a journey of a lifetime. Buen Camino!! 🚶♀️🚶
We have watched your series…
Did you use a baggage service, or was your packs actually that small? 😊
About halfway into our Camino we did start forwarding some stuff by using a large Osprey bag we brought with us in case we were going to have to check our backpacks at the airport. Luckily, Delta let us take our backpacks as carry-ons. I started having a lot of leg and foot issues so it was mostly me that needed to lighten my pack. We used Jaco Trans if I remember correctly.
A día de hoy veo sus videos y me parecen artísticamente geniales, creo entender que en uno de tus vídeos dijiste que tú esposo nació en Madrid o lo entendí mal ?.....saludos con cariño.
Sí, nació en Madrid. gracias por sus amables palabras! Buen Camino 🚶♀️🚶✌️