Where does the time go…

779 km is the exact number written on my Compostela certificate. We walked across a country! This has been such a terrific experience. I must admit, I’m already looking forward to the next adventure.

The walk into Santiago, our final destination, was pretty straightforward. Far less ups and downs. Much more vegetation and very lush. Large open paths bordered by gigantic eucalyptus trees… making me feel like a thimble in the forest. It’s the rainy season so we didn’t go far before getting wet, as it rained for three days straight. Each night we put our shoes on the heater, which was usually on for an hour. But, even though it was raining, it felt as though the brain fog lifted for a brief time. We embraced that last week and the friendships we made. Welcoming the moments of laughter on the path. I’ll look back on this time and forever be grateful for those moments that propelled us towards the finish line in Santiago.

The villages we walked through to reach Santiago were much more commercialized. Trinkets for sale at every stop. The noise of little voices on the path became normal, like the noise you hear walking down the street. You can feel the lightness in the air, happy people knowing they’ve almost met their goal.

The last day, as we approached Santiago, we took our time. We meandered down the streets… took one last wrong turn and had to hike up the 90 degree street in front of us. We just didn’t want to finish without one last climb with our poles! Santiago is hilly, many stairs, lots of climbing.

With a few friends we stopped for our last Camino lunch. We would see one another again throughout the next couple of days… but that was the last meal we would share, wearing wet hiking boots, with disheveled hair, nap sacks in tow, shoes off and poles leaning against the wall.

Life is not measured by time. It is measured by moments like these.

During those final few days of walking there was a lot of emotion, and excitement at reaching our destination, the cathedral. Nearing the end. Knowing we had to come back to an empty house. The time that had just passed, was just that, time that past. A beautiful adventure, I was grateful to have experienced. What’s next? As much as you fight it, run away and cross a country, life continues …

Santiago

What a beautiful destination. Unfortunately it was wet and dreary but that didn’t spoil anything. We walked around… visited the pilgrim museum, attended the traditional pilgrim mass. No, we did not hear our names called out, unfortunately the cathedral is under renovations, the usual mass hasn’t and won’t take place again for months. But that’s ok! The exhilaration the group felt wasn’t dampened by the change to a smaller Cathedral to celebrate our spiritual journey.

We were spoiled once again… we did name this blog “Camino our way” after all! … We stayed within the cathedral walls at the Parador Hotel, a 14th century hospital, now a tourist attraction and our home for the final 2 nights of our stay in Galicia. Being fortunate to stay in, and explore these palatial monuments along the Way has been such fun. Incredible! So much history to absorb.

We took the train from Santiago to Barcelona and flew home from there. We only had the night to walk around, but it’s charm, it’s Gaudí influence, it’s beauty, make this city one that I will definitely visit again.

Final thoughts

Like all good things, this trip had to come to an end. Six weeks! Five of which we walked… non stop, all day, practically everyday. I still have pain in my feet even though we’ve been home for nearly 4 days. But, was it worth it? Absolutely. It is a wonderful way to immerse oneself in the culture, a lovely way to see a country. The tears, the sweat, the laughter created this amazing adventure that I will never forget… although we did live most of it in a fog… those key moments will never be forgotten.

I’ve also enjoyed writing this blog and reading your comments so much I think I’ll have to continue in some form or other.

Gracias to all of you, for your support, your friendship and your kindness. You have helped us carry on.