I've finished the Camino de Santiago. It was a very tough experience physically but very good for the mind and soul.
Here's a second update from these days on the Camino de Santiago (French Way).
20th November (day 9 Camino)
It was 23 kilometres in the rain and cold. I was never going to give up, but I confess that I was so cold and so wet from the rain that for a moment I wanted to go home. After 30 metres I had water on my feet, which increased the number of blisters on my feet. It was really painful but... that's it. It's over. Tomorrow is another day.
21 November (day 10 Camino)
As we left the hostel to start the day, the spirit was the best. There was a lot of rain and the terrain wasn't the best, but nothing that isn't part of a journey that is expected to be “bigger”. At the end of the day I wrote this post:
“First comes the pain. The wound opens and the hurt is great. It's unbearable, unbreathable. Tears fall down our faces between clenched teeth. There's no tomorrow, there's nothing else, just a grief like we've never experienced before.
But life goes on, the path continues even with pain and then, after a while, and without realising it, the blisters turn into calluses and the wounds begin to heal. The skin that begins to appear is now tougher and more prepared than before. Stronger.
There are a day when the pain, without us knowing how, begins to become tolerable. We're left with all the scars and memories of what caused us so much suffering, which we know perfectly well where they are, right there, but we'd rather not touch them. Never again, perhaps. Perhaps we are now ‘healed’ and prepared for ‘new futures’ and possible new wounds that will make us (even) stronger.
It's like that on the Way of St James, it's like that in life.
Today I started to feel some relief”.
22nd November (day 11 Camino)
Pedro and Javi are Galician and brothers. I met them three days ago when we were ‘lost’ at the top of the mountain at an altitude of 1,400 metres. I struck up a conversation with them using my portunhol and we've been walking together ever since.
Pedro is in his 50s and works for a multinational. Javi is 10 years younger. Pedro tells me that he decided to make the journey because “...there are times in life when reason, science and logic don't work, they're not an option. Then we cling to ‘belief’ and faith. That's all we havethis”. Pedro made a promise and is making his way to fulfil it. Javi, younger and physically fitter, has come to accompany him.
They've been impeccable with me, treating me like a little brother.
Today we reached a great milestone: there are “only” 50 kilometres to go until we reach Santiago! 50 kilometres! Almost there! It seems surreal! I can almost see and feel the Cathedral of Santiago! Heck, I've done over 300km! It's out of this world!
I'm very happy to see the end of the journey approaching, in fact my body is begging for it with every step. Yet it's curious that, in a way, I'm sad to see it end. The feeling of tranquillity that you experience on these paths, the peace of mind, the ‘friends’ that you make quickly and intensely, as well as the spirit of mutual help between all the pilgrims, will leave you with many, many nostalgic memories. The journey is personal and introspective, but the road is also the people <3
Today, in Melide, we took a break in the middle of our journey to eat the famous local octopus and toast with Galician beers that we'll arrive together in good health in Santiago de Compostela! Almost there!
23rd November (day 12 Camino)
“With effort, perseverance and illusion, the road will take you to where you want to be”
Tomorrow I'll do the last 20 kilometres of this journey!
What a “journey”...
24 November (13th Camino)
I did the last 20km today. The torrential rain and the wind kept me going all day, which made the walk very difficult until the last step... very difficult indeed. I arrived very cold, completely drenched, with soaked feet, a few kilos down, with two nails missing, with more blisters on my feet than I would have liked, with missing skin on some areas of my feet, a lot of back pain, a great deal of pain... tendonitis in my knees and ankles but... I made it! After 350 kilometres I arrived!
But more than that, my soul feels cleaner. What a journey...
The thrill of arriving in Santiago and seeing the Cathedral is absolutely indescribable. When I arrived, I took off my hood and stood in the rain for 10 metres. It's something you only experience, you really can't explain it.
Thank you very much to everyone who has sent me messages, emails and comments throughout this journey, some encouraging me, others concerned about my physical condition... thank you very much indeed. I promise to reply to everyone over the next few days.
May the peace of mind that is experienced on these routes, the tranquillity, as well as the spirit of overcoming and friendship, spread to all of us in time.
“Buen Camino to all. In life and, if you so wish one day, all the way to Santiago.
