July 8, 2013. The End

Final thoughts coming soon! Check back in a day or two!

July 7, 2013. Walking Day 31. The Final Day.

The forecast was for another hot day. There was also rumors of 800-1000 pilgrims verging in on Santiago to attend the special Sunday Mass. So we arose at 4:30am in order to arrive there and beat heat and the crowds.

The walk was fairly easy and the only frustration was there were no cafes open to get breakfast! We ended up covering 10kms before we had our morning coffee!

Having walked and biked into Santiago before, I knew the entrance would be anticlimactic. It was actually kind of sad, knowing the time with "the Fellowship of the Camino" was coming to an end.

In an effort to have a positive closure to the relationships we had made with many people over the last 4 weeks, our group organized a gathering in front of the Cathedral at 6:30pm. About 100 people showed up for last photos, hi5's and goodbyes. It was a good ending. Then we all broke off into smaller groups for drinks and dinner.

That night we opted out of the Albergue and rented a small apartment. It was REALLY nice and just a short distance from the Cathedral. For the first time in a month I slept with sheets and had a real cotton towel! All in all, a good way to end the Camino.

July 3, 2013. Walking Day 27

Today we entered a new phase on the Camino.

We departed from the town Sarria, which is the starting point for those who only want to walk the last five days (112kms). So this day our 27th, their 1st, we saw a HUGE influx of new "green" peregrinos. Our serene atmosphere had been violated and we wrestled with negative feelings toward these interlopers.

At the end of our walk we crossed a long bridge over a large reservoir. At one time the town actually was in the valley, but "progress" demanded the town move up the hill to make way for a damn. The town was destroyed, but the church, like most Spanish churches, was historic and was dismantled stone by stone and reassembled. See photo. The blocks still bare the marks used to rebuild it.

July 4, 2013. Walking Day 28

Our thoughts are more and more directed toward Santiago. We have mixed feelings. Excitement knowing we're accomplishing something "bigger than life", sad knowing our little band of wanderer s will soon be disbanded. Some of my companions don't have anything to look forward to at the end. Myself, I'm anxious to see my bride again!

Our first few hours were spent walking in the clouds again. It actually is fun traversing through such a surreal world!

July 5, 2013. Walking Day 29

The summer heat has finally arrived to Spain! It was hot and miserable. We were so fortunate it remained abnormally cool through June!

Today we passed the 50KM mark!

July 6, 2013. Walking Day 30!

Another hot day. We're one day from Santiago! Planning an early start to arrive early tomorrow.

Had a couple of opportunities to talk with these two in the photo. Had pretty much thought the sharing times were over, but the HS opened up two seed planting conversations.

July 2, 2013. Walking Day 26

Today was a short easy day to Sarria and we finished early. The route took us through some very Tokien-esk countryside smothered with low laying clouds.

It created a very pensive atmosphere and we spent most of the time each in our own thoughts.

It's hard to believe we're almost to the end. I'm already looking ahead to my next trip, the USA, and seeing my sweetie again. I think my companions are not so excited to return to what they had left behind. We've had a great journey together, I shall miss them.

July 1, 2013. Walking Day 25

Today we arrived in Triacastela. it was a hard day with many hills to climb up and down.

What is significant is that we are now in the last Autonomous Region, Galicia, in our journey across Spain. All told we have walked almost 600 KMS.

Six days left until I arrive in Santiago de Compostela! It once was hard to believe I had so many days to walk, now it's hard to believe I've walked so many days!!

June 30, 2013. Walking Day 24

Today we arrived in la Faba. Not much of a town, farming and the Camino ate the main industries.

Our big community is now down to just four. My Aussie "mate" and these two in the photo. We are the remaining of the core group too.

As we move along we are starting to regroup and a new larger group is being formed. That's what's so special about the Camino. The relationships.

It's interesting. Those of us who have traveled from St Jean are commiserating the loss of traveling companions and the invasion of "newbees." Those who have not paid the price in KMs like we have. Our guide book reminds us that each person is on a different journey and we, more experienced, need to be gracious to the newcomers.

Isn't this how we Christian should be too?