Wednesday, June 26, 2013

June 26

Arrived in Santiago at 9:0am.
The last 10km. Are nothing to write home about, suburbs, city, traffic and lots of people and traffic lights.
Walking up to the Cathedral was amazing. I walked with Brigitte which was nice as we walk the same tempo. There were so many pilgrims, many without a pack but you can tell by their limping that thy are pilgrims. Went straight to the pilgrim office to get the Compostela. There was just a small lineup which is rare, but it was early and most pilgrims arrive at noon. I was hoping not to cry but when I got to the lineup lots of pilgrims were crying for joy to have made it. All along the way the Compostela did not seem important, but once I got  there I really wanted it. A quick scan of the list showed me that on my page I was the oldest one. Went to the pilgrim mass at noon and all the countries and number of pilgrims get mentioned, from Canada there were 5. Brigitte was the only one from switzerland. The town is teeming with people. It is amazing how many people I met with whom we started out in St. Jean. We greet each other like long lost friends. Met Barbara with the hip replacement, two dutch couples, and lots of pilgrims from recent stops. Just now the Spanish couple who had a bet that I will never make it to Santiago walked in, big surprise and big halloo.
For me this walk is the hardest thing I ever did (besides having and raising a family)    but also the best and most rewarding.
I could not have done this walk without the support of you all, your mails and posts kept me going and your spirit gave me the strength to go on. So the Compostela is for all of us as in spirip you walked every step with me.
How Blessed I am.
Hugs
Grateful Pilgrim.

12 comments:

  1. Liebe Greti,
    unsere allergrösste Hochachtung vor deiner ausserordentlichen Leistung. Es war so schön jeden Tag einen Etappenberichte zu bekommen und wir haben ganz besonders auf den heutigen gewartet.
    Wir sind mit Dir in Gedanken mitgelaufen, haben Deinen Willen und Deine Kondition bewundert mit denen Du auch Probleme und Strapazen beherrscht und verdrängt hast. Thanks for sharing with us.
    Gute Erholung und sichere Heimreise wünschen Dir
    Rita und Günter sowie der ganze Clan
    - eine kleine Überraschung kommt per Mail -

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hiep hiep hoera!!!
    Wat ben ik trots op mijn zus.
    Alle respect hoor.
    Heel veel liefs, van je broertje Harold.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a great accomplishment!!!!!!!!!!!!! Never a doubt in mind you would not complete your walk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    BEV xo

    ReplyDelete
  4. Liebes Schwesterlein,
    Ganz, ganz herzlichen Glückwunsch mit deiner grossen Leistung, für viele bist du ein Vorbild von festem Willen.
    Alles Liebe, Elfi

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear Greti,
    Congratulations with your huge achievement; I am very proud of you!
    Get well soon from all the little pains and get home safely.
    Hope to see you soon.
    JaapJ.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congratulations, Greti! How wonderful for you!

    Liz

    ReplyDelete
  7. FELICITACIONES ...AMIGA !!!!
    Since we started talking long time ago about El Camino, I knew you will do it ............, and today YOU JUST DID IT !!!!!!
    I am really proud of you........never a doubt about your strength , your confidence and of course the reason of your walk "YOUR GRATITUDE "
    BUEN TRABAJO GRETI ..........!!!!!
    BIG HUG
    Mabel
    Note: blowing under your winds was more than a pleasure

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow! You are soooo amazing! It was wonderful to read how serene and accepting you become of your plight. You overcame such huge adversity with your poor feet. I am so glad you were able to take good care of them and allow your body to dictate its needs to you. Those feet could take you anywhere now!!! Congratulations, Greti. Your determination and resilience is such a inspiration. I am grateful to you for showing me how strong a spirit can be. I love you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations Greti,
    What a fantastic adventure you have been on! Can you believe that you are now finished now? So proud of you. Thank you for blogging so that we could walk in spirit with you.
    Jan and I have just returned from 7 days of kayaking in Desolation Sound with 6 other women. Despite rain showers and a gale we had a great trip. Our arms have had a work out but our feet are well rested. Hope you are enjoying some well deserved R&R now.
    Loves and hugs, Isy

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congratulations Greti,
    What a fantastic adventure you have been on! Can you believe that you are now finished now? So proud of you. Thank you for blogging so that we could walk in spirit with you.
    Jan and I have just returned from 7 days of kayaking in Desolation Sound with 6 other women. Despite rain showers and a gale we had a great trip. Our arms have had a work out but our feet are well rested. Hope you are enjoying some well deserved R&R now.
    Loves and hugs, Isy

    ReplyDelete
  11. Greti petje af :) big hugs Rob, Lianne en Nick ps thank you for writing everyday and posting great pics

    ReplyDelete
  12. Greti, words cannot express the admiration I have for you. You had me in tears a lot of the time, but the joys of your accomplishments were so tremendous that I couldn't stop reading till I got to the end. Thank you so much for sharing what I know was a very personal journey for you. And no, most grandmothers would not walk that distance, but you are not an ordinary grandmother my dear! Love you. Josie

    ReplyDelete