Santiago Cathedral at dawn — the Camino was over, but something deeper had just begun.

Portuguese Camino Day 8 – Santiago & Reflections

As I begin sharing my journey from Porto to Santiago, it feels only right to start at the end — and walk backward, one memory at a time.

Evening Reflections – Parque de Gozo Hostel

I’m sitting in the vast dining hall at Parque de Gozo Hostel, dinner in front of me: lentils with vegetables, a squid burger smothered in aioli, and a cold beer. After 280 km in seven days, it feels good — warm, full, and finished.

But there’s also a quiet sadness. I hadn’t expected to finish so soon. Somewhere between the forest paths and ocean winds I’d decided: next time, I’ll walk slower — 10 to 15 km a day.

A well-earned feast after 280 km: lentils, squid burger with aioli, and Galician beer.

Derrick and Dave, two Scots sharing my dorm, sit nearby. They started in Sarria and plan to reach the Cathedral tomorrow. As I’m finishing my beer, Dave offers another — I gladly accept. Derrick, from Aberdeen, tells stories of hikes in Scotland and Austria. While he speaks, my phone buzzes — a message from Andrea: “Are you still in Santiago?”

We had walked together for the final three days, joined midway by Hani.

Andrea, Hani, and I — three pilgrims, one path. Between rain, hills, and laughter.

A Camino Shared — and Completed

I walked the last stretch from O Faramello to the Cathedral alone. Two hours after I arrived, Andrea finished her 240 km and sent a photo of her Compostela: “OMG!!!”

The Stamp Panic

That final morning I worried about one thing: stamps. You need two on the last day for your certificate. After a few failed café stops, I finally found one — barely legible but it counted.

The final steps — arriving at the heart of the Camino.

A full heart — and the finish line behind me.

Pilgrims in rain ponchos flowing into Santiago’s Cathedral Plaza — a sea of stories.

Pilgrim’s Office

At the Pilgrim’s Office I explained my stamp problem. The man flipped through my passport — stamps from Porto to O Faramello — then smiled and added two more: one for the Cathedral, one for the office.

He asked, “Why did you walk the Camino — religious reasons?” I answered honestly: I wanted to experience it. I’m not religious, but walking among so many people from everywhere — sometimes alone, sometimes together — felt spiritual after all.

He handed me two certificates — one listing my 280 km, and another in Latin: the Compostela.

👣 Have you completed the Camino — or dream of it?
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