Vamos -One Final Post

Hi All

So I spent Friday and most of Saturday in Santiago. Saturday turned into a lazy day, I was open to the option of going to Finisterre if I could find a shuttle. In the morning, I spent some time in the old town and did not find a shuttle so decided to spend my last day on my Camino in Santiago.

So it was a perfect day for lunch in the park and I found the best spot in town for overlooking the Cathedral. Soon I was joined by one of my friends and we spent the afternoon into the early evening just hanging out, enjoying the heat (yes it finally warmed up the day after we completed our walking - so amazing timing unless you were still walking) and taking in the views.

The evening went by quickly. We were joined by two others, had a couple glasses of wine and spent a little bit of time at the Pincho (tapas) bar and then it was time for my departure. So after more than 700kms by foot and much greater distances traveled overall, I left by foot for the train station and it was onto Madrid.

I look forward to sharing more photos and of course the videos when we catch up in person.

Thanks for sharing my Camino journey
cheers
Tim

Today It's Real

Hi All

So today as I woke and did not have to pack to go walking and I began to realize that I actually did it. After breakfast, it was off to mass for the pilgram mass in the Cathedral. As I'm looking for a seat I heard someone say Tim. It was an American Jim from Kansas a 55 year old man with an amazing story. I had been so moved by his Camino journey story I had said to him when I met him on the way that I wanted to see him in Santiago. So it was great to be able to sit beside him in mass.

It was a beautiful mass, at the beginning the mention where some people start and where they are from and of course I heard a reference to Pamplona and Canada. They have a giant incense burner that takes 4 people to work (I have some cool videos of this in action). They don,t use it every day but since it was a special feast day (St John the Baptist) it was in use and do they get this thing moving.

The plan for the rest of the day. chill out, a massage, and a good dinner. I'm staying off my feet.

Thanks to you all for all the support along the way.

Cheers Tim

SANTIAGO

Hi All,

I arrived in Santiago Thursday evening. So I actually did it!!!
The last 55kms where breathtaking, smelly at times (more cows), full of incredible sights and sounds and at times very emotional.

As I was finishing my walk Wednesday out of nowhere appeared the Canadian woman that I last saw in Leon and we dined together that night and kept meeting on the walk yesterday.

On the last hill before Santiago is a beautiful monument to Pope John Paul's visit to Santiago in 1993 and from there views of the city.

It was a long walk through the city to the Cathedral but I arrived and went to the Camino offices and received my compostela (paperwork for completion in Latin). As I left that building I ran into a German friend also last seen in Leon which was a great surprise.

A quick glass of wine and a bite with friends and then a great sleep.

Cheers
Tim

Octopus Lunch in Melide

Hi All,

So I'm really back in the game today. A good morning walk of about 16kms. Think my internals are working well again given the number of pee breaks I needed on the trail. The way is very busy with more and more folks some of which are doing the 100kms to Santiago. The afternoon as quieter as many people rush to end their days before 2pm?

More cows this morning, and I even got a woman take my picture as cows approached, I'm really out of the city.

The trail into Melide was beautiful as I think the picture with echo.

And for lunch today I'm having octopus (a local specialty) it's awesome. The closest thing I have had to sushi since getting to Spain.

I'll chill for a bit in this town and hit the road for the afternoon walk.

Cheers Tim

From Samos to Morgade to Portomarin to Palas de Rei then back to Portomarin and then back to Palas de Rei

Hi All,

So if you can follow all of that on the title well done.

So anyways, Sunday morning I left Samos and had a great walk to Sarria (around 15kms) which reminded me a great deal of the Bruce Trail. I did notice that part way along the way that my water had an off smell to it (you all know where this is going). So shortly after Sarria my stomach was feeling bad. I arrived in Morgade just past the 100km to Santiago sign. Sunday night I slept just over 15 hours and was OK when I left in the morning.

Monday I started walking and the mist was incredible and just got bigger (kinda foggy like my head was getting)and I arrived in Portomarin, rested for a bit and departed. Over the next couple kms I got feeling brutal and flagged a quick lift from an Austrian couple in a Winnebago to the next hamlet and then a wonderful woman got me a cab to the hospital. At the hospital I got a shot in my butt, got my fever down and after had a great sleep.

Today I took it easy with a good safe breakfast, went to the grocery store and bought water, digestive cookies and energy bars and got a cab back to where I stopped yesterday. It was important for me to go back. When I arrived in Gonzar I found the woman that helped me with the cab. She was so happy to see me better and you'll see from the photo we developed a nice bond. So I walked back to Palas de Rei where I will sleep tonight and continue my journey tomorrow. So glad I did this walk today the scenery was amazing and I was glad not to miss it.

but I have to say the animal farms and the smells they create when you have stomach issues is not so fun (guess that why we don't let cattle into the city). I was longing for the wineries and wheat fields they smell so much nicer.

Cheers,
Tim

One long and one short day

Hi All

Departed from Villafranca del Bierzo yesterday with the plan to stop at the top of the mountain on the way up to O Cebreiro for just over 25kms. A good and quiet walk up the mountain, some parts were extremely steep so a real good workout. When I reached the top of the mountain I made a slight wrong turn and missed my destination. It might have been because as I was getting a Fanta from a vending machine and then a herd a cows with bells on walked right beside me which was crazier than the sheep. After that every place was completo (full) so I arrived in a little hamlet Fonfria shortly after 8pm and about 40kms yesterday and was warmly welcomed.

At the top of the hill I crossed over to Galicia which is the province or state that Santiago is in.

This morning the rest of the walk down the mountain was very cold. I tucked my poles under my arms and put my hands in my winter coat pockets. After my first coffee, I ran into someone I had met a couple days back and continued my walk down the mountain and onto Samos where I finished my walk so just 18kms today. My body and feet are happy for the rest but I'm still feeling strong as I enter the final phase.

Arriving into Samos, the views were awesome and a wedding was getting out with traditional Galicia performers including drummers and bagpipes upon our arrival

So tonight resting and heading to a service with a Gregorian choir.
The plan for tomorrow is to head onto Portomarin.

Cheers Tim