Sunday, September 16, 2012

Day Twenty-Four

Day 24, O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela
Walked today: 18 km
Total walked: 630 km

Wow. I can't believe it's over. Well, I know it really isn't over, the lessons I learned on this trip and the feelings I had will stay with me forever. Santiago de Compostela is a beautiful city. I went to the Mass at noon, which was a beautiful service. I saw St. James' tomb and met with many of the pilgrims I had met on our way. Everyone is so full of emotions after walking for so long, all for different reasons.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Day Twenty-Two and Twenty-Three

Day 22, Hospital de Cruz to Melide
Walked today: 28 km
Total walked: 578

Day 23, Melide to O Pedrouzo
Walked today: 34 km
Total walked: 612 km

Friday, September 14, 2012

Day Twenty-One

Day 21, Barbadelo to Hospital de Cruz
Walked today: 30 km
Total walked: 550 km

Today started off dark and cold as I started my walk around 7am. The stars were very bright but the arrows to guide me were hard to see, even with my flashlight. I walked for about 30 minutes not even sure if I was going the right way when I discovered I forgot my walking stick in Barbadelo. Oh well... I kept walking, hoping I was going the right way. Suddenly I saw the next town I was supposed to pass. Perfect! I hadn't walked over an hour in vain.

I looked around and noticed the faint first light of day and fog all around me. The morning was still brisk, and I saw bats flying over my head.

A few hours later I passed through a small village. On my right were groups of dairy cows grazing, on my left were tiny houses, more like shacks, looking like a strong gust of wind might demolish them. A very old man with gray hair came running out of his house. His clothes were dirty, his teeth looked like he had never seen a dentist, but his smile was genuine. "Toma! Toma! (Take it! Take it!)" he called to me, raising a walking stick above his head. I went to him and as he handed me the stick he asked me to pray for him when I got to Santiago. I don't know his name, and I don't even remember the exact pueblo I encountered this man, but I knew I would pray for him in the Cathedral of Santiago.

Just a few minutes later I walked passed a German Shepard. At first I kept my distance, but soon I saw a wagging tail and a face begging for a caress. He nuzzled up against me just as an elderly woman came out and said to her dog in Spanish, "You want to go to Santiago, too? Go ahead!" with a hearty laugh.

I know this was a simple day like any other, but little moments like this make this camino special to me. I will always remember being a peregrina and the people (and animals) who made this experience unforgettable.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Day Thirteen - Day Twenty

Day 13, León to San Martin del Camino
Walked today: 24 km
Total walked: 337

Day 14, San Martín del Camino to Astorga
Walked today: 24 km
Total walked: 361 km

Day 15, Astorga to Rabanal del Camino
Walked today: 20 km
Total walked: 381

Day 16, Rabanal del Camino to Molinaseca
Walked today: 28 km
Total walked: 409 km

Day 17, Molinaseca to Villafranca
Walked today: 31 km
Total walked: 440

Day 18, Villafranca del Bierzo to La Faba
Walked today: 30 km
Total walked: 470 km

Day 19, La Faba to Triacastela
Walked today: 26 km
Total walked: 496 km

Day 20, Triacastela to Barbadelo
Walked today: 24 km
Total walked: 520 km

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Day Twelve

Day 12, Villarente to León
Today walked: 13 km
Total walked: 313

HALFWAY POINT TO SANTIAGO!!
We took it easy today to have more time to explore one of the bigger towns on the Camino: León.