Camino Day 5 - the Last day - arrival at Santiago

Today we again got an early start - left by 8am (but didn't say Mass in the albergue).  We arrived in the small town of Vila maior within 20 minutes, then on to San Marcos and Monte do Gozo.

I just like these LONG shadows...

The Monte do Gozo means "Mount of Joy."  After having washed at Lavacolla, they came to the top of this hill (and it was a LOT of upward climbing) to the top of this hill which looks out over the city of Santiago de Compostela and the spires of the Cathedral in the distance.  The joy came from what the pilgrims felt at seeing their journey's end - the Cathedral.  There is a statue of 2 pilgrims looking out toward the Cathedral.

Energized by sight of our goal, we headed down toward the city...  

And we entered Santiago!

And made it to the Cathedral!  We went strogzth there - prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for our pilgrimage - thankful that, while sore, none of us were seriously injured.  We went to the Pilgrim Office to get our credentials and certificates of Completion and prayed in the Cathedral for a bit.

The tomb of Saint James and the Cathedral

And then we celebrated with a nice lunch - and a beer (or two)!