Gentle reader. I feel that I must begin today’s entry with a few words about the relativity in life. Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, valor is measured specific to the individual and circumstance, and one’s success in life and its endeavors can only truly be judged by oneself, we weary pilgrims brothers made a valiant decision for this Sunday’s travel to Padron. After walk 54 kilometers up and down hills in 3 days, arriving too late to enjoy the historic towns we were occupying, tired and sore, facing a rainy Sunday morning, we decided to take an alternative path. One driven by a cab driver.

Faced with a plan to walk the remaining 46 kilometers in two days to stay on our schedule, we made the collective decision that we can define success in our own way. That such a decision was valorous and that we are still beautiful. I have learned that each of us is responsible for our own happiness. We are happily seated at our hotel in Padron content with the success of our decision.

We learned that Caldas de Reis was a popular Roman town whose meaning is Thermal Baths of the kings. It is found at the convergence of two rivers the Bermania and the Umia both bringing fresh water down from the springs in the Galician hills. Before departing town this morning we took a walk about to capture some photos or the Roman Bridge, the thermal baths (which the Spanish health department no longer permits the pilgrims to use). It was a pleasure to have the time to enjoy the town even in the rain.

Padron, located 20 kilometers from the outskirts of Santiago is the legendary starting point of the ministry of St James, the Elder. Santiago. James was assigned to the Iberian peninsula by Christ and like each of the original apostles, brought the word to the natives he found there. It is said that James returned to Jerusalem to tell Peter of a vision he had seen and while there he was beheaded by those opposing Christians. Padron is also the location of his return as his mortal remains were transported by ship by his most loyal disciples after his martyrdom in Jerusalem. They now lie in the center of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. Padron is built along the banks of the rivers Star and Ulla. It was the original seat of the bishops before the transfer to the location today in Santiago.