I once saw a very beautiful picture. It was a landscape at evening. Through the landscape a road leads to a high mountain far far away. On the road walks a pilgrim. He has been walking for a good long while already and is very tired. And now he meets a woman, or a figure in black.
And the pilgrim asks her: Does the road go on then uphill all the way?
And the answer is: Yes, till the very end.
And he asks again: And will the journey take all day long?
And the answer is: From morn till night, my friend.
–From a letter by Vincent Van Gogh
Apart from the initial and monumental experience of Santiago – Cathedral,Churches,Palaces, Museums and Squares – your next impression might be the noise and pace of the traffic, especially on the rotunda, which curves around the old city. Once inside, then, it is very easy to lose yourself in the many Old streets and plazas. The Turismo provides a very good map, which is well worth a few minutes’ study, as it contains much helpful information and sightseeing routes.

Having visited Santiago six times or more, I tend not to spend too much time in the immediate vicinity of the Cathedral, once I have stood in the Plaza Obradouro and shared in the palpable joy and relief of pelegrinos, as they achieve their final destination – some of whom will have been travelling for six weeks or more and walked 800 Km plus, depending on their starting point. Bicigrinos lift their bicycles aloft, like trophies,many limp painfully in, others fall to their knees in thanksgiving, some burst into tears. It is impossible not to be moved….Photos are taken, embraces shared.


Depending on your mood, experience of the city and the weather, there are so many places to visit – apart from the Cathedral and Pilgrims’ Mass – I would always recommend the Museo de Pelegrinos, which I have visited twice – free admission on presentation of your Credencial.

The weather was the best I have experienced here; Santiago endures a high, average rainfall . So, we made for the Market, a huge affair, offering all sorts of temptations and even simple things, like freshly shelled peas ! And the dreaded pigs’ ears .



When my sister,Penny and I were here, last September, we spied an interesting building, up a lane, across from the market, but we had not the time to visit; this time, together with Mac, we walked up a fairly steep hill to an old convent; good views back across to the city.


We passed through parkland; Santiago has lots of green spaces; including allotments .

The view back across the city was a new one and we enjoyed the quietness of this place. Mac went back into the old city and Penny and I walked further on to find the old monastery of San Domingos de Bonaval and its Museo de Pobo Gallego.
En route, we came upon a small bar, perched on a corner, with tables just across. In the shade. I had sat here four or five years ago, after another Camino ,enjoying a beer and some excellent , free, Tapas. It’s always gratifying to revisit somewhere, even an old bar and find it unchanged. We even got a delicious, whole meal croissant , with our coffee, at less than half the price we had paid for a rather indifferent desayuno, earlier, in the city. And did some Pelegrinos- watching, as they came down the hill.


Santiago, despite its Pilgrim association, is principally a tourist venue – coachloads, from cruise ships etc, descend on the city, daily. This, of course, impacts on prices, which can be a considerable hike on what you might have been paying, out in the sticks. That’s not to say you can’t find reasonably priced bars and restaurants, usually further away from the Cathedral precincts. Lunchtime, for example, if you don’t fancy a full menu, any of the small tiendas, in the side streets, will make you a fresh bocadillo -Par llevar – to take away. Penny and I had two, plus ice cold drinks, a bag of hand made crisps and a carton of cherries, for less than € 5.00; enjoyed in a small square.

Whilst walking from the mountainous south of Galicia, through the hills and across the meadows to Santiago, I was taken many times, by the remoteness, the sometimes ruinous state, of small pueblos, many of which were struggling to survive as communities. So, the Galician Folk Museum was a must- we were not disappointed. Entry fee for us ” jubilados”, was € 1.00.

The museum came about as a result of efforts to chronicle the traditional culture of Galicia, especially in a time of swift, social, economic and ideological change – Galicia was at risk of losing its identity- this museum seeks to include disciplines, as diverse as history, art, environment , science and literature. The permanent exhibitions tell the story of the sea, the countryside the profession, the music, habitat and architecture and much more. All of these are housed in this beautiful monastery, whose original history goes back to 1219. The present building corresponds to the 17 th and 18 th centuries, apart from the church.




The most notable part is the work by Master Domingo de Andrade, whose amazing spiral staircase, with only one well, but three different ramps, that allows you to go around it, visiting all the sections, seamlessly.

The church belongs to the 13 th and 14 th centuries and housed a remarkable “Pantheon of Illustrious Galicians”, including the remains of Rosalia de Castro, the renown romantic poetess .




If you have the time, it is a pleasant walk, through a green area, the former orchard of the monastery and a hugely informative and entertaining museum. Highly recommended, especially if you as fond of Galicia as me.

A spot of shopping – Two tiny T- shirts, for my granddaughters, Martha and Florence….and one for me!


I liked the association with “The Who” on this T-Shirt.
We met up with Mac, late afternoon, in a bar opposite the Alameda Park.
What a joy – a pot of tea – how terribly English of me, but it was teatime!
Later, we went out for a drink in the old city and on to a restaurant, that had a dining area in its garden , ideal given the balmy temperatures . We had a good meal and Penny treated us to a bottle of Ribeira Sacra, a great red wine, with which we raised a toast to our Caminos.

“Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend”
Albert Camus
Cannot bid farewell to Santiago and the Camino, without an appropriate song.
” Every Man Needs A Companion” by Father John Misty. https://youtu.be/JxMAJgS1rJU
( for those of nervous disposition …don’t worry, he’s not a real priest )

I should also mention that we got our Compostelas and Distancia certificates, from the Pilgrims’ office.
Yes, 1007 Kilometres…..over three years. Would I do it again? No! But, hopefully I shall walk other Caminos.
Finally, a portrait of a pilgrim from The Museo de Pobo Gallego…..any resemblance to my great walking companion, Mac, is purely coincidental !








































































































































