Arriving in Santiago de Compostela

There is a tangible energy in the air when you walk up the tiny zig-zagging street towards the Cathedral. Other pilgrams surrounding you; equally wide-eyed, equally buzzing. Tourists walk to and fro, diners looking on from their street-side cafe tables. Perhaps it is the energy of the footsteps that have followed this same path for centuries, maybe the spirit of Saint James. I don't know, but I was overwhelmed by it walking into the huge plaza in front the church, which towers above.

People from many walks of life make their way in, most immediately taking off their shoes and laying down. Many hug and cheer, some were crying. Being that I was alone, I had to nobody to cheer with but as I lay against a wall watching, I felt I shared a small part of everyone's happiness.

Below, this short-shorted dude rode from Germany carrying his dog a in a trailer..

And this couple arrived on a tandem bike...

After hanging around for a couple hours, I made my way to the albergue, Seminario Menor, which was a huge, old monastery across town.

I got a private room for 15 euros where the mattress more closely resembled a high school wrestling mat than a bed. But still much better than the common sleeping areas, which housed upwards of 50 people in a single room!

The city itself is amazing and besides the cathedral there are many other beautiful churches, great restaurants, and cool people. But with the Cathedral looking so grand, it really stole the show.

I ended up at the pilgrim's office and showed my passport to prove I had made the journey and was awarded my "compostela" making me a credentialed pilgrim!

But for me, this is only the beginning of a much longer pilgrimage! Still an incredible place and an experience I will never forget!