Santiago!

Our group arrived this morning and met on the steps of the Cathedral for a group photo. Some were lucky enough to catch the noon Pilgrim mass and see the famous censor swing!
I don't usually stay for that unless I can get a seat in the back by the door.
Luckily, pilgrims don't often wear perfume!

We booked beds for our walkers in the famous Hospederia San Martin Pinario, a simple but beautifully and historically preserved Hospederia attached to the Monastery of San Martin Pinario. Dating from the 10th century, the monastery grew into one of the most powerful monasteries in Galicia. The hospital dates back to the 16th century.

This is where we had breakfast.

The bedrooms were small but clean and perfect for weary pilgrims.

An all you can eat breakfast buffet is included with your room.

Most appreciated the opportunity to sleep where so many pilgrims have slept throughout the centuries. You can almost hear their whispers through the walls; see their ghostly forms floating through the halls in the Santiago moonlight.

Such a connection can have deep meaning to those who have tread the same Camino, who have suffered similar pain, sorrow, joy, beauty, rain, cold, and heat; to those who have rubbed shoulders with like-minded pilgrims from all over the world; to those who have made lifelong friendships and connections, who have stripped away the dross of Self and who have reached Santiago on battered but strengthened Will and feet, victoriously.

Some, however, referred to it as a "jail cell."

Meaning, like beauty, is certainly in the eye of the beholder.