Day 24 - Heading home

We left Madrid early this morning,  and now we are in New York,  waiting to board our flight home to Phoenix. While I'm looking forward to getting home, it's hard to leave this Camino behind. But maybe that's the secret. Don't leave it behind. It's a part of me now, and what I experienced and will continue to learn from this trek will go on and on. I have a feeling that I'll be on the Camino again,  and I look forward to that! And for you, my friends and family, thank you for your words of support and encouragement! That meant a lot to me, and made some of those hard moments easier.  Buen Camino!

Day 22 - Finnesterre and Muxia

We took a tour out to Finnesterre (Lands End) and the town of Muxia. They are in the northwestern tip of Spain. A rainy, foggy day, but this trip was amazing! Great to see local villages, lighthouse towers built by the Romans, the Atlantic Ocean crashing ashore, and indulge in some delicious seafood for lunch. It is very hard to leave Santiago.  But today we take the high-speed train back to Madrid. Home on Saturday!

Day 21 - More Santiago

A bright, sunny day here! Went to the cathedral and attended the special Peregrino Mass, which included the giant butafumeiro. I have seldom been more moved and in complete awe of any event. I will never forget this day. Explored the cathedral afterwards, "head-butted" the Saint (that will take some explaining), and found it difficult to leave this place. I see why this cathedral has such a pull for so many people. Tomorrow...Finnesterre and Muxia!

Day 20 - SANTIAGO

After 16 days on the Camino, we walked into Santiago this morning! It is spectacular! The weather cooperated while we were hiking,  although it is raining again now. We have already been to the Pilgrim Office, presented our credentials, and now proudly hold a Compostela! It hasn't sunk in yet that I did this. I think over the next several days and weeks I will continue to extract more and more from the Camino experience.  It will impact the rest of my life. Right now, I'm just revelling in it!

Day 19 - Vilamaior

No thunder and lightening as was predicted, but the rain was certainly here. We are staying in Vilamaior, less than 6 miles from the Saint James Cathedral in Santiago. We should get there in very good time tomorrow. There may be more rain, but that poses no problem. I am filled with reflections and inspiration from this journey. I can only imagine how astounding it will be to stand in that cathedral and see the Camino from that vantage point. Until tomorrow...

Day 18 - Pedrouzo

The weather today was good - started out with thick fog, and until it became daylight, it was like hiking in the clouds. Very nice! We are 12 miles from Santiago.  That is so hard to believe. I'm so anxious to get there, but I don't want this to be over. They are predicting big storms with thunder and lightning tomorrow. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Keeping my fingers crossed for good hiking!

Day 17 - Arzua

We are taking these final days slowly, since our hotel (yes, a real  hotel!) in Santiago is not expecting us until Monday. We are less than 25 miles from Santiago. And going slower is feeling pretty good. After walking 175 miles, a more relaxed pace to the end is perfect. We plan to get to Santiago early Monday, and be able to make the Pilgrims Mass at noon. Today was sunny and perfect, as this whole experience seems.