Camino Post #9- Santiago de Compostela, Spain

This I know to be true; God's beauty is scattered all over the World.  This morning I find myself a world away from Spain watching the sun sparkle over the top of waves gently rolling towards a WI shoreline thick with green pines.  After completing the Camino we spent a few wonderful days in the city of Santiago de Compostela before continuing on with our travels.

It is an enchanting and fascinating city with the Cathedral as the heartbeat of the city's center.  This is where the pilgrimage routes end so it's a buzz of excitement and celebration. The mysterious melody of bagpipes carry through the air as the pilgrims arrive at the Cathedral, for some it's the moment they have been walking towards for over a month.  There are tears, cheers, and the constant snap of pictures and selfies as everyone's gaze looks upward shielded by the shadow of the massive Cathedral touring high above.  Accomplishment hangs heavily in the air.   

Many travelers drop there packs and lounge on the hard pavement in the middle of the busy courtyard, resting tired feet after a long journey as they take in the view of the Cathedral towers.  It's a collision of people from all over the world, coming together as one.  Each person's reason for the journey a unique poem that mix and swirl together rising as incense towards the top of the towers and beyond.  A prayer of sorts pleasing to the one it was built to worship.      

The Cathedral itself is magnificent inside and out.  We were able to go on a tour up among the highest peaks, carefully watching every step as we walked on it's pitched rooftop as the bells sang their timely song.  Every direction you looked, an incredible view.  

After standing shoulder to shoulder in a long line of people that wrapped around the outside of the building, we found our way inside and found an empty pew to sit and take in the scene unfolding before us.  Although full of people, there was a sense of hushed holiness that settled heavily in that place.  The architectural design a work of art if not a miracle of sorts as the alter glimmered gold.  Saint James bones are said to be kept below the alter so we watched a never ending line of people made their way forward as though being drawn by the sacredness.  The stillness and quiet of our moments sitting there were life giving and a memory we will carry with us.

The city is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets lined with restaurants and shops.  Of all the cities we traveled through it was by far our favorite.  Every time we passed by the Cathedral we paused to take another picture.  For some strange reason it felt like we were seeing it for the very first time no matter how many times we passed.  

Santiago de Compostela was the perfect end to our pilgrimage.  A truly special and sacred place.  

One of our many pictures in front of the Cathedral.