Pedrouzo>Santiago

A nice walk today with a few gentle hills, the miles passed quickly. We stopped for coffee early and ate chocolate croissants. There was growing excitement with all the pilgrims and we saw several groups of younger pilgrims celebrating with drinks well before noon.  Conversely, we celebrated with corn nuts and hard boiled eggs. At the 5k marker we started a descent into Santiago passing a large stainless steel and glass monument. The outskirts of the city were uniform white buildings with clay tile roofs. It’s amazing just when I thought I had the rest of my Camino figured out, it changed radically. 
As we entered the city the we walked right into the middle of a protest march. We formed into a short line and worked our way in between the banner carrying protest leaders and riot gear clad law enforcement. The protesters chanted to a cadence drummed on what looked like 5 gallon metal cans. The crowd was well behaved and we kept pushing forward. We were standing in the plaza in front of the cathedral 15 minutes later. There was no finish line but we exchanged congratulations and did what we do every day – We found a place to stay and food to eat.
The hotel turned out to be a wonderful place. The Costa Vella is a family owned historic building east of the cathedral in a relatively quiet part of town. The rooms are small but very clean and comfortable. Each floor of the hotel has a sun room overlooking a beautiful garden. We cleaned up and went out for a cheese plate and cold beer at a bar a few blocks away. We started making our way back to the cathedral for the 7:30 mass. We took pictures and looked into gift shops. The cathedral was packed and was standing room only. It was a Catholic rock show with an organ the size of a large house and a full choir. Mona and Concetta we’re excited that communion was given. The service was an hour and 15 minutes and ended with the giant incense globe flying through the cathedral. I feel fortunate that we were able to see this. I’ve been told that they don’t do this every service. We choose a wonderful garden restaurant near our hotel and enjoyed an incredible dinner. My favorites were grilled vegetables and the roasted pardon peppers.  

Mona and Concetta when to explore the city after dinner and listened to a blues band from Memphis in the square.  Can you believe Mona stayed up to midnight? She is starting to embrace the Spain lifestyle. I was asleep before they got there.