Apparently, I should have done an update yesterday…I received several messages asking what’s happening. So instead of replying to each one – here is an update. BTW, I’m honored so many of you care and are following along on this wild adventure. 🥰 I figured y’all would be bored with me by now…
So here’s the latest from Spain.
Yesterday morning at 8am, Stephen was at the bus station waiting for me when I arrived back in Santiago from Muxia. Awe, he missed me. He even bought me a coffee at the fancy bus station café (no kidding, it’s nice!) Right out of the gate he was getting us lost on his famous “shortcuts”. 🤦♀️ As punishment I made him carry my backpack. Ha! Just like the entire 41 days of walking, we argued all the way up to the end like brother and sister. He mentioned women’s work one last time so I had to remind him that, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels. Just one of many examples why women are at least equal if not the superior gender. 😂 I’m going to miss this old boomer and arguing with him over his limited views.
After we dropped my bag off at the hostel, I had serious business to take care of. I needed to buy new “street” clothes and a pair of shoes. Stephen had to go with me of course…so I set a ground rule of no complaining because this shopping trip was going to take awhile. I went to Zara and Mango and found a couple of things but it wasn’t until I popped in the Espirit store and this amazing, fantastic saleswoman named Fanny grabbed me by the hand and did an entire makeover. She didn’t care that I was a smelly pilgrim. I think she secretly liked that she got to make such a big transformation on a customer. I was a new canvas for her to paint. It was like my own Pretty Woman moment. So fun! 💃 She was so kind and sized me up quickly. She knew exactly what my size was and what looked good on my body type. I basically said in awful Spanish, “yes, take all my money…now.” I didn’t buy a ton of stuff because I only have my backpack but she made me feel like a human again with what I did purchase. I was very grateful. I’ve had such wonderful experiences with the locals. I just can’t say enough good things about Spain and their communities.❤️
Next was the purchasing of a pair of shoes which is extremely hard for a woman with my shoe size – 10.5 (42) in Spain. The women’s sizes only go up to 41. ☹️ Spaniards are tiny and my feet are huge. It’s not a good love match. I ended up buying men’s sneakers (that look gender neutral according to Stephen and the sales lady) so they would fit my skis. They are cute New Balance with a pop of color…like me. I’m pleased.
Also, I bought a hairdryer! 💃💃💃 It’s really the little things that bring so much joy.
About 5pm, Stephen and I had one final drink together to celebrate our big accomplishment, of not killing each other, and then he got in a taxi to go to the airport…he was crying of course. But now he has a red bandana to wipe away his tears.❤️
I woke up this morning to many, many text messages from Stephen. The man won’t quit. His 10pm flight last night to Milan was delayed and then canceled at 12:30am when all the workers went on strike and went home. The airline put him up in a hotel but he had to share a room. Of course he found a nice, young Italian woman from Milan who spoke three languages fluently – including English, and they shared the room. She is an honorary pilgrim now. He sent a photo of them together and I replied as a joke how quickly I’ve been forgotten and replaced. 😂 I asked to speak to her on the phone so I could worn her about how much care and attention he needs. Ha!
I spent the morning resting my leg in my PRIVATE ROOM (hallelujah) at the monastery where I am staying. I received a few concerned emails about my leg. I should clarify. I was being a little sarcastic when I said I wouldn’t rest much. My personality is always on the go but I do know when to take care of myself. I am responsible about it. Last year when I had surgery for melanoma cancer I did follow all the directions and the order of bed rest for two full weeks. My worst nightmare. I booked last years Camino during that bed rest…which tells you all you need to know about me. You can barely see the scars though so I did something right. 😉 So, I’m finished hiking long distances for awhile and my boots have been retired in Muxia permanently. I will be slowing down, taking it easy and relaxing. The vacation part of this trip is about to begin so the leg will get plenty of TLC. I promise. Apologies to anyone I upset. 🙏
Today is my last day in Santiago. Sad face. Around noon, I left my PRIVATE ROOM 🥰 to enjoy the last little time I have here in the city. I went to the market and looked at all the fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, cheeses, and flowers. It was so chill and enjoyable. I bought some local cheese, chorizo and cherries. It’s raining just slightly so it adds to the ambience and melancholy of the day.
Next I went to a cute little coffee shop that was playing amazing music. It was situated on the street that the pilgrims must walk through to reach the cathedral. It was beautiful to watch them pass by while drinking my coffee and eating the traditional Santiago Cake. You could feel the excitement and see the smiles on their faces knowing in just a few meters they would be at the Square. Some of the small groups were singing and laughing and of course you could hear the trekking poles clicking on the cobblestones. It was a great way to spend part of the day.
Later I went to the post office to mail my hiking gear back to Kansas City. The woman who was working was amazing! She helped me pack the box and then taped the coconuts out of it. Nothing is getting out of this box….ever. It was an expensive little package but she sent it off with love and care.
Then I had a much needed pedicure. The staff at the salon was also fantastic. I learned from my Oviedo experience and set up the appointment last week to make sure I could get one. Natalia, the owner knows how to run a business. You have to PayPal 20€ in advance and it’s applied to your bill to avoid no-shows. She is Russian and did her first Camino in 2016. And…drum roll, she met her Spanish husband on the Camino. They now have four kids. I’m seeing a theme here. ❤️❤️
Dora and Pablo came back from Finesterre so we had a final dinner together. A sushi buffet, I mean, EAT TO DIE dinner. 🍣 20€ and everything is made fresh to order. It was great to see her an Pablo again. Dora gave me the most thoughtful gift – a necklace with a Botafumeiro charm – the swinging incense container. She wrote one of the nicest cards I’ve ever received detailing parallels about how my positive energy spreads like the incense in the church and the impact it had on her. I was truly touched and almost cried. The goodbyes always stink. 😔 Dora became one of my closest friends on the Camino and I honestly hope we will see each other again. Maybe in Taiwan! I hear the street food is amazing. I will miss both her and Pablo dearly.
So…..now that I’m about to get on a bus in the morning for another country, I can spill the beans (with Dora’s approval)…they have a little love connection.💘💘💘 It’s really cute. They are going to keep traveling around Spain together for a couple more weeks. I couldn’t imagine a better match between two of the kindest people and pilgrims I know.
Tonight, it has really set in that it’s over. Tomorrow I’ll be on a bus to Porto, Portugal and Spain will be in the rear view mirror. I love the Camino and this city. I’m sad it’s come to an end but I’m really looking forward to relaxing by the water and just enjoying the views. Life continues moving us forward.
I heard from Willy today. He is enjoying being at home and relaxing but he misses the Camino. I think almost every Pilgrim feels this way. He said he and his wife will take the train together to Santiago next year and walk to Muxia. I think I told you but they were engaged when they walked it years ago and got married in Santiago. Now they want to go to the End of the World together. More sweetness.
Man, I am surrounded by love. What a beautiful gift. ❤️
I love the way the Spanish culture serves all the food and beverages with such care. They put everything on a plate, even a piece of fruit when you order it at a café and they typically provide a little cookie/biscuit with the coffee. It just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when you know something was made or served with love. ❤️
The awesome couple, Gary & Darryl-Anne, from Florida were on the same 6am bus from Muxia to Santiago. It was fabulous to see them again. 💖
Final thoughts…please don’t send me hate mail.
I love America, I love being American….but after traveling to 30+ countries I’ve noticed a few things that would make life just a little easier for all of us concerning our monetary system.
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The penny. Why do we still have it? You can’t buy anything with pennies anymore. I read that it costs more to make the penny than it’s worth. Can we please discontinue it and round up to the nickel or dime? Pretty please. I would also recommend the dollar as a coin but that might be pushing it (yes, I know we’ve tried but I have an extensive case for this as well).
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Tax. In almost every other country I’ve been to, when I purchase anything, the total cost is exactly what it says. The tax is included. So if a coffee is 1.50€ that’s what I pay. Can we roll the tax into the cost instead of figuring it out afterwards? I hate surprises that involve paying more moola.
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Tipping. Can we pay people a decent livable wage so we can stop paying for their income on top of the meal we’ve just eaten? My meal of freshly caught squid in Bilbao was 12.50€ ($13.02). Hard stop. No tax, no tip. Delicious and super affordable. The waitress seemed happy too. (Of course, immediately after I wrote this paragraph I opened my Instagram and the perfect meme was the first thing in the feed. Big brother is reading along too I suppose. Which might be a good thing…hopefully some changes will be made dammittttt! 😂)
Again, I love America but we can learn from others as well as share our wisdom. It’s what makes the world go round. 🌍
Stepping off my soapbox now.
Goodnight and much love from Santiago…🇪🇸 tomorrow pending everything goes smoothly, I’ll be laying my head on a pillow in Portugal. 🇵🇹
