Suddenly the destination seems to be comprehendible for the first time. I am 150 kilometers from Santiago; 9 days of walking left. I’m sitting in the plaza of Mondoñedo, under yet another mind boggling cathedral. Intricate carvings inviting me in through the ancient doorways and some chipped corners and splintered wood showing the time that the building has withstood. Although I’ve been in europe for seven weeks it still seems so surreal to me to even be here. I still get taken aback by the old Spanish ladies smiling from their well-loved gardens, more than willing to point us pilgrims in the right direction. I still seem to be surprised to walk into a market and see 2€ wine.
I said ‘see ya later’ to the ocean two days ago, by frolicking along a sandy beach and then running into the powerful waves for another big ocean-hug, despite the drizzly clouds above me. The trail is making its way inland towards Santiago now and we have been tromping through more luscious rolling hills.