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Published: October 30th 2016
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After sleeping pretty well, I was up at 6.20am preparing for the bus. I left the room at 6.45, John was still in bed, so I made sure he was awake and went downstairs to make some calls. When I arrived at the bus stop there was one Canadian guy there, who was also determined not to miss that bus. I went to a bar down the road and bought a coffee and cake for breakfast, and I hope that will be the last time I eat cake for breakfast.
A crowd gathered at the stop, all with backpacks or other luggage and the bus was on time, loaded up, and we were gone. I'm not sure when I'll be back at Muxia but I'll never say never.
The normal routine for queuing in Spain is there are no queues. People seem to know the order of arrival and even gesture to you to board if you were ahead of them. Of course, this bus had few spaniards so it was every man for himself. I was about 4th on, I had to trip a few older people up to be first, and Ken sat next to me. The
bus followed a route that was mainly new for us but it was strange travelling 125kms, a trip that took me 5 days, in 2 hours. I recall going up hills thinking what it was like to walk it, and actually, apart from the obvious comfort and speed, l think I really liked walking it.
We arrived in Santiago and luckily Ken knew the direct way to the Cathedral, so we walked together until he dropped off at his albergue. We walked to the Hospitalario San Martin Pinario, our accomodation for the next 4 nights, but were too early to book in. We left our packs and were to return in an hour but I spotted the breakfast room and decided to try my luck. John shuddered at the idea and walked towards the exit, but really, if you walk in like you belong, you often do belong. Coffee, juice, and two bits of toast later I was walking into the computer room.Try before you buy, I say. I was almost a guest! Tomorrow I'll be legit and I just don't think it will taste as good.
I booked straight in without returning in an hour, as I
never left. The room is great. A bed, a chair, a bathroom, and a powerpoimt. It has a little prison type window but a very monastic vibe to it. After what I have lived through for the past 7 weeks, it is not the poor man's Parador, it is the Parador.
I sorted some stuff out and set myself up for my stay and then went to explore the shops for some uncamino clothes; everything was closed. I then went to mass to seek forgiveness for my breakfast infraction and had the joy of seeing the Botefumerio again. I filmed it from start to finish and it was amazing.
After mass, feeling fully absolved of my breakfast,I wandered around and looked for gifts to bring home; similar to the spoils carried by returning centurions in Roman times. Too many choices on offer I'm afraid. Pull out the box that you keep the things you never look at anymore because there's more coming!
Dinner was fun and Italian. I had a calzone and 'coca lite' with Ken and John and we solved many world/ personal problems. Ken told me you always ask your wife 3 times before embarking
on a trip like this. I figure it's the best out of 3, so if no is the 3rd answer, you are still over the line, 2 out of 3!
Well it's getting too noisy here; Spanish folk are playing cards LOUDLY, and their children are also playing cards LOUDLY. It's 11pm and everyone should be in bed. Good night.
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taracloud
Tara Cloud
Congratulations on your Camino!
Wow, making it to Finisterre and Muxia--well-done! I also had that experience on the return of taking a bus that took hours in what had taken me days to walk, and I completely agree that walking was much more enjoyable! Hope you enjoy your last days in that beautiful, stone city of Santiago!