It was like being a child again on Christmas morning, I couldn't sleep anymore I just had to get up and get ready. As I went through my morning routine I couldn't help it but feel happy and sad that this was the last morning I'd have to do it, was a strange feeling. I went upstairs and got a coffee from the vending machine, I just sat there and watched everyone around me,some were pulling their boots on others were eating breakfast and some even making food to take with them on the road. It was like an outer body experience, As if I was watching it all from above or something I can't explain it but the atmosphere in the room just made me smile as I took it all in??

I left at 5:30am as I knew it was only going to take me about four hours to arrive into Santiago. As I walked along the street away from the hostel I thought there would be more people on the road but it was so quite, I didn't bump into anyone for maybe an hour until I stopped for a coffee.
It was much warmer this morning then last few mornings but we all knew it was going to rain at some point, and low and behold just as I left the coffee shop the raindrops started to fall.

As the misty rain fell down around me It brought me straight back to my first day starting off. It was that really light rain where you don't seem to think you're getting wet and then suddenly you're soaking! Honestly though it didn't bother me, it felt so cleansing and fresh, all my senses seemed to be heightened like I could hear every drop of rain fall every bird singing, the smell of the grass was so strong and that smell from the road after it's been really hot and then it rain hits it, I can't explain the smell but I'm sure you've all smelt it before.

The road seemed to just go on and on and the fog was so dense that I couldn't see what was coming ahead of me till I was maybe 50m in front. Emotions were running high, it made me feel sad as I I was really going to miss the peace and tranquility of the early mornings,the freedom of leaving when I want and stopping when i want but it made me so grateful at the same time that I had gotten to experience it.

The walk into Santiago it's self was long, I had to make my way thorough the city to get to the old town where the cathedral was. As I walked along nearing the old town I could feel the excitement from other pilgrims, it was so intense the feelings of happiness tiredness, just so much emotion.
As I turned a corner I could see the top of the cathedral up ahead but I still had a bit to walk. I was approaching an archway and I could hear bagpipes playing,as I walked under they began to get loader and loader then suddenly I came to a huge open square and could see pilgrims jumping up and down some laying down on the wet ground, and as I turned to my left there was the cathedral in all its glory.

I could not believe it, as I stood there in the rain I just smiled looking up at the cathedral in pure disbelief that I was actually here standing in the square and I had made it all on my own. Suddenly I could hear my name being called it was a German girl and an Italian guy that I had spent time with the last few days so I went over and we all just stood chatting and congratulating each other on our achievement, it was really nice to see familiar faces. They had both already picked up their certificates and where heading for breakfast so I said I'd go pick up mine and message them to see where they were when i was done.

I queued up to collect my certificate, still not believing any of it was happening. My number flashed up on the screen '13' and as I walked up towards the desk I got butterflies in my tummy. I was met with a huge smile and a congratulations from the guy that was dealing with me, he was so genuine and really made me feel special for what i had a achieved. He signed and dated both Certs and popped them into a tube for me, and off I went on my way.

I decided to walk back towards the cathedral and just sit down on the ground and take it all in. As I sat there in the rain and watched more people arrive I couldn't help but notice three small children running up to there dad who was just after arriving in with his backpack on. I could feel the love from across the square and that's when it all hit me,the tears streamed down my face as I smiled and thought back on everything and everyone I had met along the way. What an amazing experience I had and for the first time in my life I was so proud of myself for going out and doing something not knowing what was going happen but just taking a chance.

I realised something along the way, the Camino doesn't give you what you want, it gives you what you need??

*790.00km complete *000.00km to Santiago