We are a couple of days ahead of schedule but better than being late, so we had a rest day today. We had a couple of items on our agenda for the day. 1. Try again to find Javier the photographer in his trench coat and hat. 2. Get information on the walk to Finisterre. Both were located at or near the Cathedral. We found the information on our impending walk but not Javier. We visited the Cathedral and found that the entry was under renovation. But it wasn’t just the entry that was being renovated. The interior was in the process of being rejuvenated and everything was covered in plastic and scaffolding. Because of the limited space now available inside the Cathedral visitors were crammed into the small remaining area. The gold relic of Saint James was still available but the line to see it snaked around four deep. We didn’t stay.

We exited and Subject Dave returned one last time to look for Javier. Third time lucky and Subject Dave caught up with Javier the photographer we had first met at Roncesvalles. When the after photos had been done he asked Subject Dave if he could write a paragraph or so on his thoughts about the journey. That will be one very difficult paragraph.

On the two days that we have been here there has been a film crew in the plaza and the pilgrims office. We were told that this year there has been a huge increase in the number of pilgrims walking the Camino Frances.

At the approach to the tunnel that leads to the main plaza of the Cathedral there is always one beggar. In the tunnel there is always a bagpiper. The Spanish bagpipe is known as a Galician Gaita or in Spanish, Gaita gallega. It has been a popular instrument in Galicia since the 9th century.

We wandered the streets around the Cathedral. So many amazing buildings.

we found markets

and beauty everywhere

even in the surrounds

Opposite the bus terminal we found the Biblitoca Publica – Public Library. What an amazing building both inside and out.

On our way home after an incredible mix of the old and the new

We bumped into Gerhard and his wife. His wife had arrived in Santiago to spend a few days with him before heading home. I had said could Santiago get any better? It just did.