Foreign pilgrims flock to Spain’s Santiago trail

Despite her sore feet, Federica Simonetto smiles for a photo by the last signpost on the Way of Saint James -- one of a new wave of young pilgrims bringing fresh life to the Medieval trail.
After eight days hiking with a friend, the Italian nurse has reached Santiago de Compostela, the northern Spanish city where the saint's bones are said to lie.
Pilgrims have hiked this route for centuries. Even Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, a native of Santiago, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel hiked a stretch together on Sunday.
But the trail has gained fresh life lately as swelling crowds of foreigners flock there -- many of them young with smartphones.
"I take one or two photos each day and as soon as I find a wifi spot I post them on all the social networks." said Simonetto, 38.
Her ankles hurt for the last four days but she pushed on.