Santiago, initially, appeared to be a big, brutalist concrete place, but once in the old town, it became charming….cobbled lanes, latticed iron balconies with potted geraniums and lots of cafes with outdoor tables. The cathedral, of course, a draw card for the majority of pilgrims, is all medieval magnificence, and the main plaza, enormous. Pilgrims/tourists had formed a line at least 500 metres long to attend one of the famous masses that occur daily, for the faithful or inquisitive. I decided to forgo the pageantry, being slightly allergic to queues, and heading instead to get a tattoo! Jen and I had decided that we’d both indulge in this wee folly on the trail….
That done (it was over pretty quick as there was also a queue at that place!) it was off to meet a couple of Camino women for dinner.
Having not booked any accommodation for Santiago, it seemed a bit touch-and-go that we were going to find any, but fortunately were directed to the ideal place…..the Seminario Menor. A grand old seminary converted to both dormitories and single rooms. How fabulous, my own room! I haven’t had that in 3 weeks! Great room, unfortunately not a great sleep! Ah well….
Our last night in Santiago, another pilgrim friend of Jen’s joined us for drinks and tapas, and then wandering in the direction of home, we came across a tiny bar with live music, what a treat. The perfect way to end this phase of the journey.
A 5.30 start to the next morning….off to the airport to fly to Barcelona. My first trip to this city, over thirty years ago, had been overshadowed by our van being robbed, and the repercussions of that, so I was a little dubious, but coming with Jen and her longstanding association with Barcelona, I imagined would be curative. Almost immediately, it proved to be so.
We found our hostel…..fantastic room, with real sheets and actual towels 🧡
Arrangements had been made to attend a flamenco show in the evening, so after a catch-up nap, we readied for the event I’ve long yearned to see. Dinner in the ‘Ramblas’, then off we went. The venue was a tiny bar with a slightly less tiny room beyond it….chairs were lined up across the room with a thin aisle down the middle, and the odd small table wherever it would fit, these in front of a small, low wooden stage. I’d heard flamenco shows were intimate, but hadn’t realised quite how so! A guitarist duly appeared and began to sound check. Having long loved flamenco guitar, it was all becoming very exciting!
Eventually the guitarist was joined by a woman with the traditional look. She sat down and began her own sound check. Soon after that they started, and another woman and a man, the dancers, appeared. O, what a show!! The passion was palpable, and being so close, one could see it on their faces….Spectacular, and unmissable when one is in Spain. Come especially!!! 🤩
What does one follow that with…..? Well, the Gaudi Park for one! Incredible!
So fabulous, but jammed with people and very, very hot, so headed off for some lunch, followed by the Gothic Quarter and the wonderful Moco Museum. This relatively new establishment pays homage to street art and its creators. I loved it! And splendid to see credit being bestowed on these modern geniuses.
Altogether absolutely fabulous!!! I followed the experience with a mojito at a groovy little bar, and pondered it further!
A quiet evening with a Jennifer-cooked dinner, and early night, in preparation for our 4am start….the flight to Morocco!!!! 🐪🐪🐪
Travel Tales 