<p class="ql-block"><br></p><p class="ql-block">9/23/24, clear</p><p class="ql-block">O Pedrouzo to Santiago, 19.3km, 368/-407m. </p><p class="ql-block">I woke up last night with bedbug bites and a bunch of big bumps on my neck. I went online and found out that washing with cold water and soap can stop the itching. After washing and taking a melatonin tablet, I went back to sleep. I was bitten again, got up again, washed, took a melatonin tablet and so on until 6am when I was woken by someone's alarm. I found 3 more lines of buns on my arms and neck. I decided to get up and leave this place as soon as possible.</p> <p class="ql-block">I dawdled until 7.15am to get out the door and it was still dark. First time I've ever walked in the woods in total darkness. It wasn't until 8am that there was some daylight. It was a sunny day and the fog lifted by 9am. As I was walking, I met a girl with a Korean flag on her backpack. We struck up a conversation and she said she had seen me in Sarria when we stayed in the same albergue. We chatted all the way. Before we knew it we were in Santiago. It was only 11.50am when we passed my albergue. As the check-in time is 1pm, we went straight to the cathedral. At 12:13pm we reached the end of our pilgrimage, the cathedral of Santiago.</p> <p class="ql-block">The square was full and everyone was celebrating, but unfortunately I couldn't celebrate with my Camino friends that I left in Leon.</p><p class="ql-block"></p> <p class="ql-block">Receive the Compostela, the certificate for completing the Camino.</p> <p class="ql-block">On the way back to the albergue I met the Spaniards who had got up at 5am the day before. A lovely young couple and their 11 year old little sister. We were happy to take a photo together. I hurried back to the albergue to take care of the backpack and clothes contaminated by the bedbugs. According to the internet, 30 minutes in a dryer at 55 degrees will kill the eggs. I washed all the clothes and sleeping bags and then dried everything, including the backpack, at 60 degrees for 30 minutes.</p> <p class="ql-block">In the evening I attended the 7:30pm service at the cathedral. I arrived at 6.45pm and had to queue to get into the church at 7.00pm. Note that the way into the church passes through a crypt and also behind a statue, I'm not sure if it's the famous golden statue of Santiago. The person in front of me hugged the statue, so I did the same. No photographs are allowed on the way into the church. The church was packed with people. I sat down next to one of the pillars. I don't know if it was the lack of sleep last night or the cold floor, but I felt sick and I just hoped it would be over soon and I could see the big incense burner waving with the aroma. But that didn't happen. I learned later that incense burners are only used on special occasions. The service was good and the singing was beautiful.</p><p class="ql-block">After the service I saw some people queuing up and Father Paul was among them. He waved me over to join the queue and when we got there I realised it was the crypt I had passed on the way in, Paul was kneeling there for a long time praying. Back at the Albergue, I reread the French Way book and discovered that the crypt contained the remains of James, a disciple of Jesus.</p>