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The Camino Francés: Week 4


Day 22: O’Cebreiro - Triacastela 6 hours | 35,824 steps | 15.63 miles (25.15 km) Today was downhill, so an easier day! The fleece is saving our lives on these unseasonably cold nights. 


Day 23: Triacastela - Sarria 6 hours | 29,540 | 13.57 miles (21.84 km) We opted for the shorter route with hills rather than walking alongside the road to get to Sarria, and I think it was the right choice. My sprained ankle is acting up again and the muddy roads did not help, but we made it! Sarria marks the start of the last 100km to Santiago.  


Day 24: Sarria - Portomarín 5 hours | 33,000 steps | 14 miles (22.53 km) Beautiful day and slightly downhill the whole way!  


Day 25: Portomarín - Palas de Rei 6 hours | 39,000 steps | 17 miles (27.36 km) The beautiful June weather is returning, but my ankles are absolutely killing me. Pain really takes away from the nice views... We are almost to Santiago. I am so tired of walking, and ready to be there. This has sure been a long journey - it will feel so good to finally reach the end! 

I flagged down a panaderia truck to buy an entire loaf of bread. Not gonna lie, the carbs make everything feel better.


Day 26: Palas de Rei - Boente 6 hours | 32,940 steps | 14.37 miles (23.13 km) My ankle has been absolutely killing me, so today was rough despite great weather. I am done walking. The stretch from Sarria has been prettier than I thought it would be, but it is all hard to appreciate when in pain. We also took a wrong turn and added 3 extra kilometers onto the walk today, which was the worst thing ever. 


Day 27: Boente - Lavacolla 8 hours | 47,820 steps | 20.86 miles (33.57 km) We accidentally overshot the city we were aiming for and ended up here. Surprisingly we are feeling okay, I just have sore feet and developed my casual walking/heat rash again. We found a liquid cure to help with the distance. Tomorrow we will be in Santiago!! 


Day 28: Lavacolla - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA 2 hours | 20,000 steps | 6.2 miles (10 km) WE MADE IT! So exciting to finally be in the city. We were in the city before 9am, which turned out to be the greatest blessing. Although it would Sunday, the Compostela office was open and we got our credentials right away. The line grows extremely long by mid-day, so going in the morning or evening is best. Every day there is a pilgrim service at noon, and sometimes an incensory is swung by church leaders. This incensory smells of frankincense, and the traditional purpose was to purify smelly and disease-ridden pilgrims. Today, it is only swung if someone pays approximately 300€. On Sundays, there is a second mass at 10am for the general community. In a stroke of luck, and due to the early hour, between 10 and 11 we were able to tour the entire cathedral with no lines, including the traditional pilgrim embrace of St. James. In addition, the regular mass swung the incensory! It was incredible. Definitely worth the visit! 




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