anyone done the saint james walk/pilgramage? from where? how long did it take? how did you feel?

Answer 1

The committed pilgrims, who walk one of the complete routes, can expect a journey of approximately one months duration, with the added bonus of very sore feet. Many do however claim to have a revelation on achieving their goal and there is often much camaraderie between fellow travellers. If you are interested in following the pilgrimage you can do so at a minimum of expense as free lodgings are provided along the entire route at designated hostels. For the successful "perigrins" (as they are called in Spain) there is also a register that is signed at the walk’s completion at the pilgrims office in Santiago.
On completion of the pilgrimage and arrival at the Cathedral for mid day mass, the travellers can expect a service steeped in history and tradition as well as religion. Amongst other things a massive incense burner called a "botafumeiro" is swung above the heads of worshippers in Santiago’s cathedral transept filling the building with incense and creating an ambience that has barely changed over the centuries. Right, a one and a half metre high botafumeiro in the cathedral's museum.