Santiago

I pushed hard and reached Santiago on March 24th.

The Cathedral of Saint James is a sight to behold. It is ancient and houses the relic bones of the second most important of Jesus' apostles, James (the first being Peter). The footings were dug 1000 years ago and this cathedral took 235 years to complete.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_de_Compostela_Cathedral

I found the Officina de Peregrino, offered my passport credentials for inspection and received my Compostela. My pilgrimage was done.

Hey --- make sure you see my video of the swinging "Botafumeiro" at the Peregrino Mass on March 25th:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6GNPlBEu3Y

So now the trip is done. I half-heartily made an attempt on March 25th to head to Cape Finisterre, the "End of the World", on the Atlantic. This was the terminus for early pagan pilgrimages where people went to witness the death of the sun. Then after three hours of slogging on more mud paths something just clicked and I said, "That's it. I am out of here". With some rooftops in sight, I bushwhacked out to a road and turned south for Portugal.

The next 3 days became my most difficult of the entire trip. Sporadic rain, no map (no one sells them!), the N-550, a major secondary road, would end as the international A-12 slashes through it, stopped by a cop on the A-12, dogs barking from behind every fence, no one speaks English, lost, found, lost again and then I had 3 flat tires in one 24 hour period. On March 26th, I don't think I made 20 miles all day trying to get away from the major city of Vigo.

On the 27th, I made it to Tui on the Rio Minho. From Tui I crossed the bridge to Portugal. With about 9 hours on my last day, I landed in Vila Praia de Ancora on the Atlantic. I got a nice Oceanside room with a balcony ($35 Euro/night). I showered with my clothes on and there was a ring of sand and grit around the tub. I stayed 4 nights and just kicked back in a laid back little town. I sold the bike on the beach sidewalk, in the rain, and got about half my investment back. All in all, a wonderful end to this adventure.

After a train ride to Lisbon, on Tuesday April 1st, I flew back home to Boston - about 9 days sooner that I had originally planned. But the trip was done and damn - it's good to be back home.

I guess then it's time to wrap up this blog - but not until I express my sincere thanks and gratitude to my wife, Jane. She selflessly sacrificed and supported me during these past few months. It was a welcome sight when she turned into the C&J bus terminal in Portsmouth Tuesday evening to pick me up.

I also want to thank each and everyone of you. I received many messages of interest and encouragement. Friends wrote and left kind comments on this blog. You might be interested - the blog to date has had 1721 views by 190 people from 7 countries. But it was you guys here at home in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Arizona, Virginia, New York, and Maryland that made the difference. I am a very fortunate person to have so many great friends and family. You are what makes life so enriching and - fun.

Adios. Buen Camino. I hope to see you all soon.

Tom