Gym's Ramblings: Atlantic Odyssey 2025: Santiago de Compostela, Spain

It was the middle of the night on May 15, 2025, when the MS Vista rounded the cape on the northwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula. The Captain had changed course to an easterly heading to sail along the northern coast of Galicia. Some hours later, as dawn broke, Vista passed the ancient Roman lighthouse known as the Tower of Hercules and arrived in the beautiful port city of A Coruna. This was the same port that much of the ill-fated Spanish Armada sailed from in 1588.

Vista had been sailing on smooth seas since leaving Portuguese territorial waters and our hero and his fair companion had slept well that night. A short while later, after the ship tied up, the dynamic duo were off again on a day trip. Since they had already entered the European Union's Schengen Zone in Portugal, there was no hassle from Spanish customs officers when they left the ship. They met their young guide Pilar, on the dock and boarded the very comfortable Mercedes touring bus for the 60+ km ride through the Galician countryside.

The tour on that day, was another longish bus ride into the interior. The destination was Santiago de Compostela, the famous burial place of St. James, the Apostle. The author, obviously drawn to this place by his namesake saint, was also excited to see the shrine that his big sister had been so impressed with after having successfully completed a pilgrimage there on the Camino Francés.

Camino means 'path' or 'way' in english and there are several caminos or paths to Santiago de Compostela. Gym had seen the pilgrimage signs pointing to Santiago which were embedded in the streets of Guimaraes, Portugal. These shells set in the pavement and arrows on the walls of buildings point the way to Santiago de Compostela along the Camino Portuguese. There are several marked caminos to the shrine. These caminos come from all over Europe. Every year half a million pilgrims complete the trek to Santiago de Compostela.

As the bus pulled off the Motorway from A Coruna, they drove into town beside the Camino Francés. This is the same path that Gym's big sister took. Dozens of pilgrims were already making their way into town that morning, as the bus drove past. These pilgrims were nearing the end of their long journeys. You need to hike a minimum of 100 km of a camino, to qualify for the official pilgrimage certificate. That certificate is important! Gym heard a rumour that if you show the stamped certificate to Saint Peter at the pearly gates, you get into the fast lane*(see note). Having heard the rumour and then seeing those pilgrims, Gym is now motivated to come back and get a certificate himself. His dear wife has indicated that she will join him in this endeavour.

Just off the motorway the bus nestled into the bus parking area about a half mile from the Cathedral. Pilar led everyone toward Plaza do Obradioro. Once there, Pilar pointed out Kilometre Zero on the pavement in front of the Cathedral. Pilar indicated that this was the endpoint of the pilgrimage.Then she conducted a walking tour around the cathedral to all of the various plazas which surround it and described the significance of each place. Subsequently, everyone was given 90 minutes of free time to enter the cathedral, go shopping, get an espresso or attend mass. Gym and his dear companion went right into the cathedral, lit a few candles, said a few prayers, took a few pics, gawked at the alter sanctuary with the dominant likeness of St. James and then queued up to view the tomb of the saint. After going down into the grotto from where one can see the tomb, you can climb up and hug the likeness of St. Jimmy from behind. Gym and Mrs. Gym both did this. Somehow having done this, Mr. Gym was fulfilled, even though he did not qualify as a certified pilgrim.

Lunch was provided in the 5-star Hostel Real de Santiago de Compostela. It was a delicioso chicken paella, followed by a main dish of pork loin and completed with an almond cake. Everyone then staggered out to the bus to make the return trip to A Coruna.

Stay tuned!

* note:That Saint Peter thing has not been fact-checked

Author's Apology: As Trump would say, let's "MAKE AGYMSBLOG GREAT AGAIN!" The author assures you that he is trying to upload all key pictures to this blog but Google's Blogger does not get along with Apple's iPhone when Elon Musk is running the internet. The author has a terrible time uploading pictures. The author is quite frustrated in this regard, So sorry!!!!