Camino de Santiago Portugues - Day 22

Summary of the Day: Today we just set aside as a day to rest, We went to the pilgrim mass at 7:30 in the morning. That also gave us an opportunity to walk around inside the Cathedral. We also visited St James tomb. After the mass we went to a little restaurant for breakfast and then did some chores. We did some laundry, went to the grocery store to pick up some things for lunch and walked around the old town. We spent time again at the cathedral plaza watching all the new pilgrims arrive. People hugging and cheering and some just laying there. There was the equivalent of a Spanish national guard group there on the plaza and we were trying to figure out why they were there. Then we realized they were there to greet some of the men in their unit who were finishing a Camino that day.
There was lots of applause. After that we looked at souvenirs and had pizza at another little outdoor cafe for dinner. There must be twenty different souvenir shops around the Cathedral. All selling very similar merchandise. Other than that it was a very low key day and I was grateful for that.
What we planned to do: Today was our rest day after coming into Santiago and finishing our Camino. Our main goal today was R&R.

Beautiful Spot of the Day:
The fountain near the Cathedral in the very early morning looked otherworldly
Spiritual Meditative Moment: Being in a church that has been around for a thousand years. I don’t know what to say.?
What Church We Visited:
We attended the Pilgrim mass first thing in the morning at the Cathedral. It was a Catholic mass conducted in Spanish so I had no idea what was going on most of the time but I was still happy to be there.
People we experienced:
This little man praying at the tomb of St James early in the morning
Unexpected Surprises: So we were at the cafe having breakfast and we looked over and Jonathan said hey, that guy over there is the priest from the mass we just attended. Our breakfast immediately felt more sanctified.
Animal/Nature or local life:
It’s pretty hard to understand why everyone living over here isn’t fat when you have stores everywhere selling things like this. We had a couple of these cookies for lunch. Well, what I mean to say is they were part of our lunch…
Yes they were absolutely hecking good!

Reflections from Today: I’m pondering the whole notion of what it means when you arrive somewhere because that almost certainly means that you are now at a new jumping off point that will lead to yet another artival later on. And what does that mean in practical life and relationship with God and others.
"Well, that was hard": Being at a Catholic mass conducted in Spanish. I wasn’t sure I was really saved by the end of it all. Just kidding.
"What helped me today": Sandy and Jonathan and I had some great conversations about the Camino and our experiences of the last number of days and what it all means. Lots of questions not as many answers.
"Something I learned":
Churros con chocolate is a thing. We got it for breakfast. The churros were to be dipped in very thick hot chocolate. Jonathan said they were good but the chocolate wasn’t sweet enough.
"Insight for the day": Milk in Spain is a total disappointment. It comes in a carton on the shelf not refrigerated. You can’t get a gallon of fresh milk. I’m convinced it doesn’t exist here.
"Mystical occurrences": Passing by the tomb of St James the closest I have ever been to the remains of any of the disciples

A final View of Our Compostela:
Gratitudes (1–3 things I'm thankful for):
Thankful to rest our feet today
Thankful for a bright sunny day
Thankful that we missed all the lines at the Cathedral today