We hugged St. James and were thankful!

Rainy, cool

The view from Hostal Rua da Villar

But cozy in the Cathedral and the museums

It was Sunday morning and nearly time for mass to start.  But first let´s give thanks to St. James for our safe arrival into Santiago de Compostela.  We climbed up to where he is perched and each thanked him in our own way (hug, pat, etc.).  Then, Jean and I attended the beautiful mass and were extremely moved by the music and words in this incredible space.

Then, culture called.  El Museo de los Peregrinos (Museum of Pilgrims) tells the story of the cult of St. James and the associated pilgrimage via paintings, statuary, maps and journals from as early as the 12th century, highlighting the important role both have played in the culture of Europe, as well as, the growth of Santiago and its cathedral.  The most amazing item is a journal written in Japanese by a Japanese man in the mid-1980´s, a reflection complete with wonderful watercolor pictures depicting the highlights of his trip.  The journal measures at least 2" thick by about 14" wide and 20" long.  The pilgrimage also stimulated fine crafts such as jet workings (a special stone from the region), silversmiths and print-makers, to meet the local and foeign demand.  So much to learn, so little time!

The street of water!

We walked into El Museo do Pobo Galego (the Museum of the Galician people), built in a 13th century monastery and were quickly drawn into the history of the Galicians.  If you like history as much as we do, you too would have been mezmerized by the historic descriptions of the sea, the countryside, professions, music, dress, habitat and architecture, arts and crafts, society, memories and traditions of the Galician people.  There are great economic, social and ideological changes in Galicia and this museum preserves this story.  Curiously, wedding dresses were black!  And, widows were required to wear black for at least six years.  Their lives revolved, as most of ours do, around the family, the parish and the village; their rituals revolved around the calendar and seasons.  Not very different from most people around the world, is it?

Pilgrim's mass--incense burner

To celebrate our last night in Santiago, we ate authentic Italian food!  Honestly.  Yum.  Ciao, Dick and Sue

Our favorite cafe for yummies!

A Goya tapestry--incredible!

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