We made it to Santiago! Our little family of 4 managed to cross Spain (mostly) by foot, all the way to Santiago de Compostela.
The walk today was only 9 kilometers, but even then it went by quickly, as we were too energized and excited to stop. We grabbed a quick breakfast, but otherwise we were singularily focused on our goal.
We reached the outskirts of the city, and were elated to take photos of the “Santiago de Compostela” sign. It reminded us of day 2, leaving Roncesvalles, taking photos in front of the “Santiago de Compostela 790” sign. We’ve come a long way.
We felt a mix of feelings as we walked up to the Santiago cathedral. We are so incredibly proud to have made it to Santiago, but now, what next?
We took photos and celebrated with others just arriving, then we went to the pilgrim’s office for our compostelas, the Latin certificates of completion, and our certifications of distance. The girls were not supposed to be eligible for compostelas, and we were told they were too young when we asked, but somehow (we think a clerical error) we received certificates with their names. The process was quite chaotic with new and confusing QR codes that have been implemented since covid, and the process to get compostelas took a long time, with much frustration.
While at the pilgrim’s office, we met a really nice young girl named Maggie, who came over and told us that her parents are following our blog. We chatted with her for awhile, and made plans to meet for dinner.
When we got back to the hotel, our frustrations continued, as we realized there had been an error with the booking for the bag transfer and our bags had never been picked up. The error had been entirely my fault, and luckily was easily remedied, but we spent awhile on the phone trying to figure out where our bags were and how to get them to us.
By the time we went out for dinner, we were very ready to be done with the frustrations and just celebrate being in Santiago. We met Maggie and her friend Tavia at a tapas restaurant, ate good food, chatted with good company, and had a great evening.
A couple of our Korean friends (whose names I can’t spell) stopped by to say hi. They brought Kinder Surprise eggs for Addie, as well as some Korean noodles for her to try. Everyone else we walked with, for the most part, has left already, and we were thrilled to see those two. We made plans to meet them for breakfast tomorrow, and we told them to come visit us in Canada as they travel the world.
It is a little surreal to be done the Camino. This trip has been the culmination of 3 years worth of planning and dreaming. It was harder than we ever expected, but we are so glad we kept going and pushed through the hard times, because in the end it was so rewarding.
We weren’t able to walk every step, but we are so proud of every bit we did walk. Of the nearly 800 kilometers, we walked 560, and some of them were hard fought. We were challenged physically and we were challenged mentally and emotionally. And we did it anyway!
Both girls thrived socially. Eloise was doted on and held constantly. She was the happiest, smiliest travel companion and she just loved all the attention and cuddles she received. Addie blossomed, learning to start and carry on conversations, communicating across language barriers, and seeing the kindness in people (most of whom gave her lollipops or other candy).
The girls also watched Sandra and me problem solve, persevere, and overcome obstacles. They may not appreciate these things now, but hopefully Addie, at least, carries some memory of these skills forward into her life.
Sandra and I were asked last night what our takeaways are, and I’m not sure we know yet. We have spent the past 6 weeks so focused on logistics and the girls that we haven’t had really any time for self reflection. I think our Camino lessons will come through in reflection later. I do know that we had to be confident in our parenting decisions and patient during some times of extreme stress, while it often felt all eyes were on us.
We are sad that the Camino is over, but we are also all ready to be done. Addie misses her cat and deserves some time for free play and fun.
We have 12 days until we fly home. Tomorrow we will spend one more day in Santiago de Compostela, and then we are flying to Tenerife for a week by the pool before we head back to Paris to fly home.
Then we need to start planning our next adventure…
Well done! I enjoyed following your Camino every day. Your photos were great and rekindled my memories of Frances in 2012. Those are two lucky little girls you have. What a future of adventures they have ahead of them with two amazing Moms. Best wishes on the last of your trip!
Thanks for following along!
Hello Jenn and Sandra!
This is Missy, Maggie’s mom. I came across your blog when I was doing research on the Camino, wanting to follow along on Maggie’s journey virtually as best I could. I was thrilled to realize you all left around the same time and by reading your descriptions and seeing your photos, I could get an additional taste of Maggie’s walk. I would update her on your whereabouts and tell her to keep an eye out for an amazing family who were tackling the Camino. Maggie was so excited to meet you all in the office and truly enjoyed spending time with you at dinner. Thank you so much for letting me follow along with you and your little girls…it helped me feel closer to my big girl on her adventure. ❤️
Thanks for following along! We had a great time meeting Maggie and going for tapas with her.
So did a have some tears of joy and gratitude that you all made it, yes I did! I dont even know all of what to say, there are so many things i could say , but i will leave it at CONGRATULATIONS !!!!! So very proud. Have a good relaxing, hardly any walking week, and i will see you when you get back here. I CANNOT wait.
We can’t wait to see you, either 🙂
Woop woop, you made it🤗
Well done, amazing feat with two little people. You two will look back to this time and appreciate the journey even more. Now the Canary Islands, even better. I can only admire your spirt and endurance , can’t imagine what you do in the future. Thanks for the blog!!! Sue Graham , Geri’s friend
Thank you, Sue. We will definitely look back fondly on this adventure
Congratulations and jolly well done little family. Thank you so much for sharing because I have thoroughly enjoyed all the ups and downs of this journey with you. Buen camino.
Thanks for following along!
This was a truly amazing feat of perserverance and accomplishment by 4 truly amazing people.
Your Blog has memorialized your travel and will be an inspiration for all who follow and chose to brave the walk on the Camino trail.
Thank you! It was a fun way to document our trip
Well done ladies and congratulations! This is an amazing accomplishment and an experience you’ll never forget. Your positivity in the face of all the logistical challenges and parenting on the Camino are an inspiration. Enjoy your poolside rest, it’s well deserved!
Thank you, Shelley
Congratulations and more than well done. With the right spirit and determination anything is possible and all 4 if you have proved it. Not sure you can sit around a pool for a week as your feet will want to start walking. Take care
Haha, we will be itching to start walking again in a day. We are already planning hikes for when we get home
You are all champions and I am in awe of your little family!
Thank you! We are so happy to have made it
You have touched the hearts of so many people sharing this amazing journey. I am so proud of everyone.
Hugs & kisses
Hi Jenn,Sandra, Addie and Eloise,
Congratulations on a well deserved finish! We(Debra, Brenda and Simone- the BC girls) met with you a few times. The last time being in a small cafe with cats! One jumped in the stroller, Sandra was tempted to take it along. Well, so was Addie 🤭 We are now in Portugal enjoying a well deserved rest. Hope your rest after you left Santiago refreshed you and your return trip home safe and stress free. Maybe we will meet up again some day. We are only a province apart! Safe travels 😎