The walking is over
Reflections will continue
After five weeks of getting up each morning and launching my pre-departure ritual, it was strange not to prepare to walk today. I took three rest days along the route, but on each of those days, I had a lot planned from going to a laundromat, sightseeing and researching accommodations for future stages. Today was truly a carefree day.
I took a walk to the bus station, which is a little over a mile away to make sure that I would be able to walk it with my rolling suitcase tomorrow. In old cities like Santiago, sometimes there are cobblestones or lots of stairs that I might not have been able to navigate with my suitcase. On my way, I met a really lively group of four women from Michigan who have quite a trip planned through Spain and Portugal. I think their time in Santiago has sparked an interest in the Camino; I may have overwhelmed them with my enthusiasm and encouragement to do it. For any of my friends and family, please be forewarned that you may hear a lot about the Camino over the short term!
I stopped for coffee and before I knew it, I had ordered a bocadillo, which is one the things I intended to swear off in the short term. Not all bocadillos are created equal, howeer, and this one looked really good, so I was very happy to eat it.
I saw a few Camino friends today who were still in town and it was great to have final time together. I connected via text with a few others, but we didn’t actually see each other.
Allen and I had lunch with Agnes and her mother today, after which I went my separate way. Allen and Agnes have walked together since the first day and I wanted them to have a final day together. Also, I was feeling ready to experience a bit more of Santiago on my own before leaving early tomorrow morning.
It’s sad that people I’ve spent so much time with are going off to their respective lives, but that is the nature of the Camino. There are a few new friends who live in the U.S. that I know I will see again and a handful of others in different countries that I will certainly connect with if I am in their neck of the woods. This kind of coming and going is a great metaphor for life. Some things and people are constants and others are wonderful while they last. We just need to appreciate that they were once there after they are gone.
It’s raining fairly steadily in Santiago as I write this. Given that we have dodged the rain for weeks, maybe this is also a message that it’s time to move on.
I have really been moved by the messages I have received within and beyond the blog space, especially since finishing the route yesterday. When I shared the link to my webpage, I knew that some inner circle family and friends would read everything, but I am happily surprised that a number of people who aren’t necessarily interested in walking mentioned that they have followed along daily. There were some days that I was tired and tempted to not to post anything, but writing while thoughts are fresh in my mind will help preserve my memories (as my mother used to say “If I don’t write it down, it doesn’t exist!”). Hearing that people have enjoyed it has made it all the more meaningful. Thank you all so much for your interest and encouragement!
Here are a few final photos from Santiago. I’ll post about food, accommodations and my most useful items on the trail over the next few days. Ultreya (onward) to Porto!
Although the daily videos are over, you really should check out this short Youtube video of the botafumeiro ritual.
Followed you faithfully and marveled at your resilience. Still a very Amy experience but glad to see that in addition to the planning and detail orientation, you rolled with some changes and shared your beautiful soul with so many people along the way.
and going is a great metaphor for life. Some things and people are constants and others are wonderful while they last. Then we just need to appreciate that they were there once they are gone.”