The Ultimate Revenge

I have claimed, and with good reason it seems, that the ultimate revenge of the Spanish over the French in claiming the Camino Frances is that it is impossible to get from Santiago de Compostela to Paris. You have to make a connection someplace...Madrid. Barcelona, Porto, Bilbao, London, Lisbon, or, in my case, Hendaye.  I know – I had never heard of that either! But it is the frontier city with Irun, where I can catch the bullet train to Paris, after an overnight stay. It is cheaper than flying to Paris via Madrid, Barcelona, or London. And it is way better than a 24 hour bus ride!

But here in Santiago, it was my day to shop for souvenirs, go to a last pilgrims mass, have some drinks in the rain, and begin plotting my return to Canada.  I prayed by the relics of Saint James, put my hand on the statue of Saint James, got a third certificate of completion from the Franciscans, (and after sorting out my necessities from the things I can live without) sent my knapsack back to Canada via the post, and had supper at an Italian restaurant because im actually a little tired of the Peregrino meals, had drinks in the lounge with a multi-Camino veteran and showered and shaved in anticipation of a couple of days without facilities!

Today's Music:  Laudate Dominum (Taize...it was the introit at mass today)

Today's Paces:  15,177

Tomorrow's Prayer intentions:  all those who begin their return journey.