End of the Earth

Day #38: Cee to Finisterre, 8 miles

Day #39: Finisterre to Cabo do Finisterre, 6 miles

Until the time of Christopher Columbus and the great Spanish and Portuguese explorers, Finisterre was known as the end of the earth. It is still definitely the end of the Camino. 

According to legend, the Camino trail was used by the Celts/Druids in pre-Christian times as a path of initiation. Veins of electromagnetic power in the earth and lines of energy (called ley lines) are said to be aligned with the Milky Way along the entire way, past Santiago to Finisterre. The area has many reminders of both it's Christian and it's Celtic heritage. 

Tuesday, September 30

We hoisted our packs and grabbed our sticks one final time for the short trip into Finisterre. We have a nice little hotel room that overlooks the beach in a cove on the Atlantic Ocean. 

Celebration sangria

Wednesday, October 1

A quiet day to relax and reflect. We walked the long Playa Langsteria this morning, got our feet in the clear blue water, and enjoyed doing nothing. Late in the afternoon (without packs!), we walked to the wild, unprotected Atlantic beach and then up over a small mountain to the lighthouse at Cabo do Finisterre, truly the end of the land.  There are many remnants of the original Celtic/Druid culture along the way, as well as a few Christian ones. 

For Debbie: Trying to do the tree pose without falling off a cliff (you can see that I am about to tumble). 

0.00 Km to go!

Burning items of clothing at the end of the cape, a Camino tradition. (I forgot to take my nasty old socks.) 

Grace's boots and my Keens took us almost 1000K. 

I am still in shock that it is all over, that I don't have to pick up my pack and go onward. We have walked over 550 miles from the French side of the Pyrennees to the Atlantic Ocean. I have survived horrific blisters and bedbugs (oh...I didn't mention that fun?), 95 degree heat and a sleet storm on a mountaintop. I lost about ten pounds and probably gained a shoesize. My skin is several shades darker and my hair several shades lighter. I lost two toenails and a front tooth crown:(. I met and walked with people from all over the world. I saw some of the most incredible architecture and some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. I learned an amazing amount of history and Spanish culture but failed badly at speaking Spanish. I cried a few times, in joy and in pain, and I laughed a lot. I shared it all with my beautiful daughter. What more could you ask?

The Camino (or any pilgrimage) is meant to be, among all these other things, a time for reflection on life and it's direction. We were encouraged by books we read before coming to find questions to ask ourselves while walking. I think that this must be easier for someone Gracie's age-"what am I meant to do with my life?" At 62, most of my practical questions have been answered, except for "what has it all meant?" and, if nothing else, the Camino has taught me to embrace the mystery of all I have seen and done (here and in life in general) instead of always trying to figure things out. We referred to the same guidebook many times everyday. On one of the last pages is this quote that I love:

"To contemplate the impermanence of our earthly form can be revitalizing, urging us to make every step a prayer for understanding, every breath a song of gratitude, every moment a chance to awaken from the dream that keeps us separate from our eternal Source. " That is what I take away from this Camino. 

So, tomorrow we will board a bus back to the Santiago airport to pick up Derek. We will begin a two week vacation to Portugal and Southern Spain, flying home on October 17. I may post a few pictures on this blog but probaby won't write much. Gracias and hasta luego. 

Chris