Day 14 – 25.26 km (15.7 miles)
Today felt like an endurance test, trudging through 15.74 miles in the relentless rain. The photos were scarce, but I managed to capture kilometer markers for my Instagram. A brief stop for coffee and almond cake provided a small reprieve as we pressed on, our feet soaked but not freezing due to the mild mid-60’s weather. I toggled between wearing my jacket and not, adjusting to the inconsistent chill. We reached our destination by 2:30 pm, navigating through a bustling Sunday crowd.
Opting for comfort and history, we settled into the majestic Parador de Santiago de Compostela – Hostal dos Reis Catolicos by the cathedral square. Originally established by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand in the 1500s, it once served as a haven for weary pilgrims like us. The rooms were spacious and inviting, a welcomed relief from our long journey. After dropping off our backpacks, we went in search of our original hotel to retrieve our duffle bags, we treated ourselves to a taxi, eager to escape any more unnecessary hills.
Celebrations ensued with a drink in the lobby, a delightful blur, and opted for room service instead of going out to a restaurant in our state. The humorous texts from friends the next morning had us looking through our pictures and videos from the previous night. 🤭🫣
With very weary feet and bodies, we made our way to the Pilgrim’s office, receiving our certificates of completion and mileage achievements. The English Mass in the chapel provided solace, accompanied by the touching stories of fellow pilgrims. Today, on the 16th of Oct, marked the anniversary of my father’s passing three years ago while my brothers and I were on the Camino Frances. It was a poignant moment that connected this journey with cherished memories of the past.
Total: 240 km (149 miles) 14 daysl
