WE HAVE ARRIVED!!! On Friday afternoon, June 25, at about 2:45, we set foot on the plaza just outside the Santiago Cathedral and could truly say we had made it to kilometer O! It was a great feeling! For the last few weeks we walked with Carmen, a wonderful woman from Ottawa who we met on the Camino, and it was great to share our success together. We all received our Compostela - the official document confirming our pilgrimage.
The next day we all attended a wonderful mass for pilgrims at the Cathedral, and have enjoyed meeting various "Camino companions" throughout the town since our arrival - bonded by a shared experience.
Both Don and Joe have arrived in Santiago as well (by plane!) and we are looking forward to exploring Galicia together for the next few days. Carmen is on her way home and we look forward to connecting with her again in Ottawa.
Thanks again for all of the encouraging comments we received through the blog and for all of your thoughts and prayers; we really felt that each of you was travelling with us on our journey.
Congratulations!! What a wonderful accomplishment!! I hope that the experience was-and continues to be-everything you hoped for both of you.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Beth
Congratulations, girls. I can only imagine what that feels like. You are amazing. See you back on this side of the pond.
ReplyDeleteMark Templin
Congratulations Claire and Alice. How wonderful, I knew you would make it. The feeling of accomplishment will stay with you for a long time.
ReplyDeleteMichèle (from Orange, France)
WOW Can't wait to see you.
ReplyDeleteLove from 7th Heaven
Margot and John send both Alice and Claire all our congratulations and best wishes. You make us feel so insignificant with our walking adventures. Perhaps we might try the 100 km section one day! If Joe has his laptop with him, can we Skype with you Alice, whilst you are still o/s?
ReplyDeleteLove and best wishes
Congratulations to you both! You are awesome! I can't wait to hear all about it.
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS Alice!
ReplyDeleteWhat an accomplishment for you and Claire. I admire you for your committment to this journey.
Starbucks in Ottawa will not be nearly as exciting but I look forwards to meeting with you to hear your stories. Have a wonderful few days with Joe.
congratulations to both of you What an accomlishment Looking forward to seeing more pictures and hearing more stories FRAN
ReplyDeleteCongrat's - you have had a great trek and pilgrimage. Hope to hear about it from you when we are next in Ottawa,
ReplyDeleteClaire and Alice,
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous achievement, you are to be congratulated, we are so proud of both of you.
Enjoy exploring Santiago with Don and Joe,
we look forward to seeing you back home.
Much love,
Tony and Nancy.
Congratulations Claire and Alice. Well done! I have enjoyed reading your blogs as you travelled.
ReplyDeleteMary-jane
Congratulations Alice & Claire. We really enjoyed following your blog and are looking forward to hearing all about it and seeing your pictures when we're in Ottawa. Enjoy the rest of your trip! Greg & Mary-Ellen.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great achievement -I admire your commitment and perseverence. I hope it was also a spiritual experience as others have found. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteMay 18 to Jun 25: 39 days; 800 km. Just over 20 km/day average. Amazing. Congrats!
ReplyDeletejohn s
Congratulations Alice and Claire! Loved reading your blog - truly inspiring - and the pictures were great. I'll have to bike it someday - I promise to bring a bell. Cheers, Albert
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS ALICE & CLAIRE!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing accomplishment. You both must feel such an amazing sense of pride in yourselves.
I hope you enjoy touring with your husbands.
I wish our paths could cross, Alice, before we leave for our posting.
I send you both hugs and good wishes.
I will be anxious to hear more, perhaps via e-mail or maybe the two of you will write a book now!!!?!!
Take good care!!
Maureen
Way to go...thanks for keeping up the blog and sharing your experiences with us. Hope to hear more about the trip "face to face" some day.
ReplyDeleteAnd if Albert bikes it...I'm going with him!
Ellen