Although our walk was over, our Camino was not and today was a really instrumental part of our journey. Since it was Pentecost Sunday, we decided we would go to mass, I must admit in part to see the botafumeria again. But it became so much more than that.
Believing the service to be at noon, we entered the church at 10:30 to see what the seating was like only to discover that there was a service that had just started. With ample seats, we sat down and enjoyed the singing and entire service. The botafumeria ceremony did take place again and although we were in a good place to witness it, capturing it was very difficult as it flew directly over our heads at an amazing speed. Botafumeria aside, it was once again the music in that large space that we most enjoyed. Enjoyed enough that we decided to stay for the following service.
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| Pentecost Procession |
We didn't make this decision however until there were no longer any seats so we found ourselves standing near a pillar facing the front of the sanctuary. There was a woman standing in front of me and I decided I would go around her so I could lean against the pillar without blocking her view. When I turned around to say something to Fred, I discovered the woman to be Marie Josie who started the Camino with us in St. Jean but we had not seen since Leon. It was such an emotional moment for all of us. Such a special place to run into such a special fellow sojourner.
With emotions raw from the surprising encounter with Marie Josie, it was during this mass that my journey moved to a place of tranquility. This was a special service that started with a shortened version of the botafumeria followed by a procession of priests, a cardinal and a bishop and other church clery carrying the relics of St. James; all during which music was being sung from what seemed all around completely filling the area within it's walls. Closing my eyes, I felt like my soul was lifted on their notes and brought back to me all cleansed and at peace. Tranquility. I hope that I can recapture the essence of that moment again and again in the days and months ahead, especially once we return home.
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| Departure from Mass |
The service over and our souls filled, we found our bodies to be quite hungry. On the way to a restaurant, we ran into Char and Barry. They told us about a cathedral rooftop tour that started at 4 o'clock which seemed interesting to us so decided we would join them after lunch (pasta with rich mushroom sauce and pasta with seafood sauce).
Standing atop the cathedral in the wind was actually a bit unnerving, especially when I had my camera to my eye causing me to struggle with my sense of balance. It was really an interesting tour, however, with our tour guide being very knowledgeable about the building architecture and history of the Camino. We asked how they could be certain the bones were actually those of St. James and she indicated that tomb said it was the "Son of Thunder" and his neck had been broken.
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| From Cathedral Rooftop |
After our tour, we enjoyed a glass of wine with Barry and Char on the patio of the Parador Hotel. Char discovered a leather belt with camino shell buckle that she fell in love with and purchased. She was so pleased with her purchase, not because it was pretty, but mostly because it would serve as a memory to her of her Camino experience every time she wore it. I am hoping to also find at item that will serve as an emotional reminder of our Camino.
It was now time to consider dinner and we all went back to the Tapas bar that Jim and Marilyn introduced us to - El Bispo. We had several items, all of which were wonderful, especially the honey glazed cod. And the dessert, cheesecake with creme brulee on top was to die for.
Today felt like the perfect end to our Camino journey. Tomorrow we will take a bus to Finesterre, considered the end of the world when the world was still thought to be flat, From there we hope to walk the 29K to Muxia where the movie "They Way", which was responsible for initiating the desire in us to make this journey, ends on the rocks by the cathedral that perches above the ocean.
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