16-06-2018
Walked 19.7 km, 5 hours 21 minutes (incl. SdC – airport)
Ascent: 20 meters
Descend: 120 meters
Kilometers to be traveled: 0
Yes, it would be
no different, a quiet night, without congestion in my sleep pattern.
But no, this last night was also one of waking up and falling asleep,
waking up and falling asleep, and continuing to repeat this pattern. The
cause will probably be the sawmill club that held their monthly meeting
in the bed above me. Another cause may of course be that I reach my
goal, which I started walking 36 days ago, now 35 nights ago. It
started in Lourdes, my walking tour, my journey in Geleen to take the
train in Liège to Paris and then Lourdes. Or started my journey in 2016
when I started planning / reading / figuring out how to set up a
pilgrimage. No, my journey started earlier, in 2009, when we made a
car-pilgrimage from Fatima-Santiago de Compostela-Lourdes-Never. When we
left SdC we saw pilgrims walking and we said we will do it. This has
been the start of my journey. In the further past I have heard Dad talk
about it, but I have not thought: I will do that too. I am still
awake before 6 am and as planned I try to make as little noise as
possible so that the other 7 MPs are not disturbed in their sleep. I
should actually leave a shit as a goodbye, but I never manage that
early. In the hall of the barracks I pack everything well, make sure I
am neat and can leave on time. In the group app I indicate that I am
starting and my brothers respond that they are gone and wish for
success. The one in the truck to the Netherlands, the other to home
after a night shift. Along the way I take the time to absorb everything
and to take a picture every now and then. The emotions are coming up, my
action cam is recording. There are very few people on the road or in
the car. So it is Saturday to sleep late. In the suburb I pass 1
other pilgrim, near the cathedral I will only see the next pilgrim. The
road leads through streets and streets. In one street there is a hotel
concierge outside and Buen Camino calls and I almost think Camino
Finito. Occasionally you see the towers, they are getting closer, um I
mean I am getting closer. The Live sharing of Whatsapp comes on,
they can now follow me step by step where I walk on the map. And I walk
through the streets at the back of the church, past the bishop’s house.
Then I see the canopy that leads to the square in front of the
cathedral. Down the stairs and then left around the corner. I am at the
cathedral, early in the morning and at rest, it is just after half past
eight. YES I made it, I feel incredibly relieved, satisfied, happy,
liberated, happy, a boulder, a go-getter …… Congratulations from my
brothers via the Whatsapp, now on to the official pilgrim office, which
opens at 8 a.m. so that I can collect my compostella. When I arrive at
the office via a small detour, I have made too few kilometers, there are
already about 20 people waiting. The doors open at 8 o’clock and we can
stand in line inside. Up to 17 counters can be opened in the office to
hand out the compostels. Now that it is still early, until I reach
the neighborhood, 3 counters open. Each time 1 pilgrim enters the
building and uses his stamp card to see how he walked. When it is my
turn I am asked about my starting place, Lourdes, how I covered the
distance, on foot, for what reason I walked, religiously. Then my
compostella is written out. I also ask for the distance compostella. At
8.40 am I am outside again.
The
living room of the Dutch Santiago Company will not open until 9 am. I
keep waiting, because I want to register here too. I am the first Dutch
pilgrim today. I am warmly welcomed, they are only busy as hospital eros
on their 2nd day. 2 more pilgrims arrive during my cup of coffee.
Around 10 o’clock I say goodbye and try to leave my backpack familiar
somewhere, because I want to attend the pilgrim mass at 12 o’clock.
Not far from the desk I can put my backpack in custody and then walk to
the cathedral. Just search for the entrance, because the main entrance
on the square is closed due to the renovation, renovation of the facade.
Everything in preparation for the next holy year. When I am in the
cathedral, I first go to Saint James and put my arms around his
shoulders, my body shivers. Yes I am now really at my end point, I had
to go here. After embracing the bust, I walk to the crypt to visit
his grave, light a candle of gratitude and pray. Now find a place at the
front to attend the 12-hour mass. Hoping that the censer will swing
through the side aisles, I take a seat on the front bench in the left
side aisle. I still have a glorious feeling, a satisfied feeling, an
indescribable feeling. The banks fill up very slowly. And then
someone taps my shoulder, I look around and see Domenique, my French
fellow pilgrim whom I know from day 2 in Spain and with whom I have
walked many kilometers, shared many rooms, enjoyed many menu del slides
and other dishes together . He knew that I wanted to arrive today and
want to attend the pilgrim mass. We have a short conversation and say
goodbye to each other. It is getting busier and busier in the church.
The mass starts at noon and I have already understood from others in
the church that no censer is going to be hurled this mass. It is a very
beautiful mass, with a choir of pilgrims from Italy, not walkers but
bussers. It touches me very much, the emotions keep playing, it is also
allowed, I have walked 950 kilometers. After mass, look at where I
am going to eat, that must also happen. After a tour of the city center I
had dinner with the Mexican. After dinner I go to the square in front
of the cathedral and watch the arrival, or rather the arrival, of new
pilgrims. It is quite busy on the square, pilgrims are still coming in.
People who meet again, perhaps for the last time, after seeing each
other several times on the route. When the store where I left my
backpack opens, I walk to it to pick up my backpack. How do I go to the
airport now? I can go by bus, I first have to walk to the bus station, I
can go by taxi, but that is way too expensive. I can also walk … The
weather is good, the time is more than sufficient and I had already
decided to spend the night there. So after the fourth hour in the
afternoon I start my walk to the airport of Santiago, about 13
kilometers away. In the city I see the cyclist with trailer and his 3
dogs once more. I walk towards the outskirts of the city, now I still
encounter pilgrims still searching their way to the cathedral. When
crossing the highway a class of Monte de Gozo comes down, also to reach
their goal.
I
do not walk into the road to Monte de Gozo, but turn left, it is now
following the road uphill to the airport. About halfway you will come
across the Camino Frances crossing, turn left towards the airport (the
walking path) and turn right towards Monte de Gozo. I continue to follow
the main road, because I do not want to end up at the runway, but at
the departure / arrival hall. Twenty past six I arrive at the
roundabout in front of the airport, where there is a large pilgrim
statue. Now turn right and another 1 km to the hall. I am in the hall
before 7 am. It is not a large airport, but very new and modern. Let’s
see what there is to do and until what time, because there is a big
possibility that soon everything will be closed and nothing can be
bought anymore. So eat something as long as you can and buy
something to drink for the long night. And when everything is closed,
look for a place where we can sleep. It is quickly found, a row of
chairs that is linked to each other, where I can stretch out and perhaps
turn a blind eye. I’m not the only one overnight at the airport, there
are quite a few, all of whom have an early flight. To pass the time,
I take out the mp3 player again after 36 days and listen to music in
the hope of falling asleep and resting. I have earned it, I am a
PELGRIM, I have been to Saint Jacques.
