Another busy day on the Camino, I have never seen so many pilgrims before. I started hearing them in the street at about 6am, before first light. Later when I checked out my window it was like a main street parade.
I planned to let the groups go before I started, but after packing my backpack having breakfast and sitting on the end of my bed for half an hour it was only 8am and the groups were still moving up the street. So off I set, on the second last day of this Camino.
Unlike previous days, I passed 5 or 6 coffee shops open for breakfast. Then outside of the town stared to see pop up’s selling souvenirs, food, drinks, stamps for your pilgrims passport.
I stopped at a small chapel, where a couple of Nuns in full habit where providing stamps (for a donation).
I am on a section of the Camino Frances it is very different to the Norte, the pilgrims have dedicated tracks, no road walking.
The business of the Camino is in full swing now, lots of bars/cafes in each town, popups, buskers, beggars all being serviced by the masses of pilgrims heading towards Santiago. I think “mass” should be the collective noun for pilgrims. A mass of pilgrims.
The walking is over flat, well maintained tracks. Very easy going, I made good time, passing many, then stopping for a rest and watching many walk past. I saw a lot of familiar faces, even one I think we saw back in week two.
We have stayed in this town on two previous Caminos. It exists primarily to service the Camino. The official Camino actually bypasses this town, but due to its location it’s the logical stop before the last days walk into Santiago.
My accommodation is in a Pension, they just offer rooms. The room is ok, it was the last one they had left.
I checked in first and waited for my backpack, this is the first time I have beaten Correos to the destination. Then went to lunch, a menu del dia again but a little different. Not traditional pilgrim fare.
Tomorrow is the final push into Santiago de Compostela
About 21km today, should be the same tomorrow.
Russ and Jan's Camino 