Wednesday 23rd June 2010 - Lunch At The Parador And Last Wander About

The Catedral

A new day. Another hot, sunny day. Paid the big man another visit, seeing it was so quiet. Having my breakfast on the Praza Quintana, when who should walk by, but Toronto Steve! He joined me and we had another natter about various folk we had both met. He told me that Julie hadn't managed to finish her walk and unable to go any further she had to take a bus for the last stretch. I felt so sorry for her - walking all the way from St Jean only to break down with the finish in sight. I hope I get a chance to meet up with both Robert and her before they set off to Vancouver. I ended exchanging contact details with Steve before saying goodbye once again.

Saint James Himself

Also met again Jeff and Mario fae California who were including the Camino in a short tour of Europe. They were off to Barcelona next and then Madrid before going back to the U.S. of A. Did the usual exchanging of contacts once again.

Lunch At The Parador

As midday approached, I made my way to the back door of the Parador and joined another four pilgrims for free lunch. We were shown to the kitchen, where we collected our 3 course lunch and wine to be enjoyed in a pleasant wee room overlooking a peaceful courtyard.

Words Fail Me!!!!

We had an interesting hour talking the Walk and getting to know one another - one Scot, one Korean, one German, one Frenchman and one Spaniard. Brilliant!

A wee siesta after lunch was followed by a further wander about and a chance to search out wee nooks and crannies that I had somehow missed. I returned to the Café Casino for some classical musical entertainment before I spent a little while watching England v Slovenia - but this was spoiled by a running commentary from the first idiot on the Camino that I had come across.

Looking Out Of The Café Casino

I left to do some shopping and then had in mind to have a wee visit once again to Sant Yago for a glass of wine and a wee tapas. But I couldn't leave Santiago without visiting once again the Gato Negro. And it was there I had some cockles with a glass of white before retiring to my hotel for the night.

The blog is nearly over. I hope to add more when I have more time and I have had a chance to reflect. So hope it is not too maudlin. If it is, I apologise before hand but I don't care!!!! I have thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Click here to view My Gallery, then click the sideshow icon.  Look in too - if you want - to the blog for San Sebastian - Y Car-L ya Basque!!!

BYE!!!

Tuesday 22nd June 2010 - A Restful Day In Santiago de Compostela

Had a really good sleep and a long lie-in this morning. Taking a leisurely time getting a shower and dressed was a luxury. First stop was a little cafe / bar for chocolate con churros. The chocolate was thick and yummy! Next stop was the Catedral and then the tomb of the man himself, wi his two pals Athanasius and sumbdy else (ahve forgotten who??). It was a wait of about an hour for this, and that was followed by a long, hot walk to the Estacion - just to get its whereabouts for my departure on Thursday.





The University Quadrangle

Back up to the old town then and I had a wee wander about - the University; the wee side streets and their tapas bars and restaurants etc. To get away from the heat, I popped into the Sant Yago tapas bar for a nice platter of chorizo + queso + vino tinto + cafe solo. Lovely it was!

A Wee Combo Givin It Laldy!!!



I met some Swiss friends from the Camino and we got chatting about things and were all congratulating one another, and talking of our plans. They are catching a bus tomorrow and visiting Finisterre for the day. A day trip sounds good, but I have decided not to bother going to O Grove tomorrow as there is still so much to see here in Santiago. I need to rest still and savour the town's offerings - food and drink etc.

Taking a siesta this afternoon on ma wee balcony / terrace with its great view of the Catedral. Hope I don't fall asleep and get burned!



The Catedral From Paséo de Léons



After a siesta, I spent the early evening having a walk around the Alameda. There were some glorious views. I finished off with a large cone (dos bolos) and a bottle of cool water. It was great people watching away from the tourist throngs.

The Catedral From The Alameda

The rest of the evening was spent tapasing (is that a verb?). A great wee place was the Gato Negro but there were so many to name. I tried to keep away from the tourist and perigrino haunts. One place I especially liked was the Cafe Casino which had some classical music performed by, I would imagine, some students from the Santiago Conservatoire (is that how you spell it? - I know someone who will post a correction!!!!!). The introductions were way over my head but I applauded nevertheless!





The evening was finished off by watching the second half of a football match between Greece and Argentina. It was a good game, made better by not having to listen to English commentators!