Monday in Santiago de Compostela

We woke for our “early” (heh, at home this would be late) breakfast at 8:00. They provide tasty options and made Dan his espresso and me my cappuccino. The photo I am sharing is of one portion of our food choices, in another area there were artisan breads and a few cereal options, including Sugar Pops. Hm. I can’t remember the last time I had those, but I do believe it has to be over fifty years ago! (And no, I didn’t opt for them. I always choose the scrambled eggs because if I have too much sugar in the morning I eventually get the shakes. Yes, information you didn’t need, but hey, I’m a sharer! 🤣)

Then it was time to go back to the room and Dan did some writing while I goofed off a bit. Eventually (we move slowly) it was time to walk out of the hotel and do more exploring.

We went first toward the Cathedral, but of course were waylaid so I could pose (I was trying to look like a thinker but somehow that just doesn’t come across with my face. Go figure.), and then I took a few shots as well.

While Dan continued to shoot in the courtyard where my “thoughtful” photo was shot, I went around the corner and noticed that a line had formed for the cathedral entrance so I got in that line. Dan eventually came around the corner as well and I, being the gracious person that I am (HAH!) allowed him to join me. Then into the cathedral we went. It was quite beautiful and the organ … just wow!

Then the organist began to play …

From there we walked to the supposed tomb of St. James. Is it true? I sure wouldn’t know: one site I read suggested it was highly unlikely. But down we went. You file through a narrow way and see a very ornate coffin.

From there you really have no choice but to follow the line taking you up some stairs and from what I surmised there is a large stature (icon?) that looks rather gold but who knows that some will then put their hands on a pray. (They do suggest not kissing it for hygienic reasons!) I walked on by. Maybe it’s a huge meaningful moment for some Catholics, but for this Protestant it is not. (No photos were allowed.)

Then back down the stairs we went. By this time the cathedral was getting pretty full and the tours were in full swing. (Dan had to skip making one photo because what he wanted to shoot never did have a time that worked without the tour groups.)

And then I filmed some more as the organist continued playing.

After exiting the cathedral we walked down through the old part of the city.

Then we crossed a street and entered a park.

We went to the top of the park and a crew was setting up carnival rides. Some were already pretty much set, but there were two guys setting up the Ferris wheel, and some others looked to be testing a ride.

This truck … well … just strange so I had to shoot it!

Workers in action:

From there we made our way back to the old part of town. The crosswalk with the green man was fun … he goes faster when time is running out. (I really should hold the phone the other direction … oops!)

We had a nice lunch. I think, though, that I need to brave it and speak more Spanish (I have to look things up, but at least I know how to pronounce things, contrary to Portuguese.) I think the server was a bit frustrated with us. I could be imagining it, but … well … it wouldn’t hurt to try and speak in Spanish more than the “ola”, “gracias”, “por favor”, and “adios”, right?

More walking transpired. There is so much to see.

And yes, there are the sad things too: there are beggars, some of whom are on their knees with heads bowed, a sign in front of them asking for money. Others sitting (frequently with a dog, it seems). And in some areas there is a distinct smell of urine. City life. We have it. They have it. But here, unlike some cities, no one has come directly up to us and even followed us as we’ve had in some places.

Eventually we had to try come churros. I don’t mean to say we wanted to. We had to. It was the right thing to do and we like to be right!

More walking. I was pleased that I guess that the guy on the top of the pillar pictured below was Cervantes.

You find this shell embedded in the walkway … it’s the sign of the Camino.

You also see signs of protest now and again.

This old church (in the photos below) designed in 1590 had the coolest series of stairs going down to the doors. We walked down but someone was standing in front of the doors so either we weren’t allowed to enter at all, or a mass was taking place and then one has to wait to enter. We decided to just go back up and head to our hotel.

And then I got my directions wrong and our hotel was behind me when I thought it would be in front. So much for my sense of direction! But we got back to our room and started our writing and various other things.

Next up: dinner search!

No, these two photos aren’t of dinner. The fabric store caught my eye, as did the play on The Ramones. I guess I’m easily entertained.

It’s so strange to go outside after 19:30 (see how very cosmopolitan I can be?) and it’s still light outside. But there we were, and there was the light. And where was dinner? We walked to three places: the first was a tapas place, the second a more expensive place that had no openings for the night (we’d been warned about that), and the third wasn’t open at all. So we walked a small amount, found a place that could take us in 15 minutes or so, and waited in the bar area. Soon we were seated. Soon we ate too much food (no, no photos for you), and not soon we left … we do take our time when we are eating!

The walk home was nice. Perfect temperature, and hey, I even found our place while Dan turned the wrong way. So there’s that.