So We Walked the Camino de Santiago

So, we walked the Camino de Santiago... I mean, we did, but it was the last 5 kilometers. And... it may have been downhill the majority of the time. But hey, it was still 5 kilometers. Anyways, quick background on the Camino de Santiago. I know that when I was first told about it, I assumed it to be an annual trek, which hundreds participate in, that starts somewhere and ends in Santiago de Compostela. Well, turns out, I really didn't know anything about the Camino.

In reality, there are a lot of routes. The most famous one begins in France and travels down into Northern Spain; this trek is over 800 kilometers. However, there are many other routes beginning in different parts of France and different parts of Spain. Secondly, this is not a once a year expedition. People are walking year round, and some are even riding bikes. Another thing I had no idea about is that because of the length of the Camino, people sometimes divide it into parts and do a part each year.

Our 5 kilometers began at the top of Monte de Gozo which marks the end of the final climb for the pilgrims.

Sculpture on  Monte de Gozo

After this, you go downhill into the city of Santiago de Compostela and walk to the Cathedral, following the markings of the seashell and yellow arrows (the symbols of the pilgrims). Walking down towards the city, we were constantly near some pilgrims who had white sea shells hanging from their backpacks to show that they have been on the Camino.

A seashell can be seen on the backpack of the pilgrim to the far left.

The cathedral in Santiago de Compostela

Wooo.

The plaza in front of the cathedral.

Once again... selfies are incredibly difficult with a DSLR Camera.

Inside the cathedral

I really hope to one day do the entire Camino de Santiago, specifically the famous one beginning in France. I mean, going form one old city to another, seashell hanging from your backpack, walking stick stuck to your hand... it just seems so fun. The one thing is that it does cost a significant amount of money because you sleep in hostels in the towns you walk through, and you also have to eat. But I'll do it one day, even if it's not the entire Camino, I'll one day walk and once again tiredly encounter the 5 kilometers I so easily ran through as a 16 year old.