Sunday July 19: Lugo

Ana: After 9 days of hiking in the toughest section of our route, we are taking a day off.  Time to let sore feet, sore shoulders, shin splints, and tired legs have a rest. We dined last night in the Plaza Maior near 2 churches.  This seemed to be a central meeting area and was very busy.  We watched a large group of very excited pilgrims enter the plaza with cameras.  Immediately we noticed how clean they looked.  Shoes perfect, backpacks spic and span and perfectly packed sitting on squared shoulders.  They were enjoying the moment when this trek becomes real.  Oh how little do they know!!!!

Lugo is the start of the final 100km, and these pilgrims were just starting their Camino.  We sat remembering the excitement we felt starting out and wished them Buen Camino.  Everyone’s Camino is different, some just walk the final 100km, some walk 800-900km like us, and we have met 3 people who started in Holland.  It is a very individual experience as are the reasons for hiking.  Most are in search of a religious experience, some just enjoy the challenge of hiking Long distance, and others are here for reasons unknown.  Whatever the reason or distance traveled, we will all meet in Santiago.

After dinner we all went separate ways.  Yudi and Carola headed for the super mercado for food.  Carlos went in to finish the blog, and I strolled to the church to check out Sunday mass times.  The church is enormous and there was a wedding taking place in one of the side chapels.  The most beautiful voice I have ever heard was singing Ava Maria.  It was breath taking, and all I could think is how blessed this couple is to start their lives together in this holy place surrounded by the love of family and friends.

Today we walked to the Cathedral de Santa Maria.  “Although construction began in 1129, the building combines Romanesque, gothic, baroque, rococo, and neo-classical styles”.

There was a 9am mass that we attended.  Although it was in Spanish, the Catholic mass is the same anywhere and we were able to follow along.  The priest was as old as the chapel but managed to handle the enormous chalice with ease.

The inside of the cathedral is stunning.

Once again, these pictures do not reflect the beauty of the cathedral.    Or maybe, it is standing there in the midst of angels that makes everything look so beautiful.

After mass we went for breakfast.  One of the differences we have noticed is that the Spanish eat eggs and ham for dinner and spaghetti for breakfast, if not just eating toast and cafe con leche.

After breakfast we headed for the roman wall. This wall was built in the 300’s to defend the city.  It is 2km long and 8.5meters high with 85 rounded towers.  It is the worlds largest surviving Roman wall and was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 2000.

I lovethis photo of the wall with a satellite array in the background.  A blending of old and new.

The afternoon was spent in a plaza bar drinking sangria and watching dancers enjoy the tango.

All along the trail we have met many people and if we don’t know their names, we give them a nickname.  This is toilet paper guy.Notice the roll placed on the bottom of his pack, ready for action.

Just another day on the Camino.