“When you look at a field of dandelions, you can either see a hundred weeds or a thousand wishes.” Unknown
We are down to under 100km and the coastal and inland routes have merged so the route is REALLY crowded. This also means people have started to relax because the end is in sight and we know we are going to make it to Santiago! Party time! 🥳
Tito had breakfast set up and ready to go early for all the pilgrims. Toast, coffee, cereal, juice, etc. I think Sarah, Gabino and I took off at about 7ish. The morning light and the sounds of the birds waking up were brilliant. I was a little overcome with a deep sense of gratitude and happiness. I don’t like to compare but for many reasons, I have really enjoyed this Camino. It’s not necessarily better than others but this one has definitely been more personal in a sense. I can see and feel my growth. It’s hard to explain.
The views were stunning again today. We had a couple of steep hills which I enjoyed because I can tell I’m getting physically stronger. I feel healthy and fitter than before. I can feel a difference in my body moving up and down the mountains.
I met a TON of new pilgrims today. I got a chance to walk and talk with a few of them so let me introduce you.
Taeeun from South Korea. She is 29 and this is her first Camino. We walked together for only about 15-20 minutes before I stopped to meet Gabino and Sarah at a cafe but she said she was so happy with her Camino. She radiated positive energy…and I told her so. She is lovely. ❤️
At the cafe I bumped into Annie from Germany. She has a bum knee and is the person who told me about the Red Cross several towns back. Between my days off and hers, we’ve been playing leapfrog for over a week! Every time we meet, it’s like a big reunion with hugs.
After the stop at the cafe, I walked “alone” for a little bit but you’re never really alone during the final 100km.
The trail took us through some beautiful towns and scenic nature paths.
In the last section of all the trail, merchants set up tents, trucks, and booths along the way to sell stuff. Some items are homemade and some are offering food and beverages. It’s kind of wild to see a random coffee truck in the middle of the woods but hey, I’m not one to pass up a coffee truck no matter where it’s parked.
I think the walk was about 20k or so but it was really enjoyable. I met so many amazing people, including this lovely couple, Danielle and Rossella, from Roma, Italy. I helped Danielle, fix the straps on his backpack and that started a conversation. And I must say, I was actually able to communicate a little bit more in Italian. My vocabulary is getting larger and I’m using Google Translate less and less! 🇮🇹
We parted ways after stopping at a church, that was of course filled with pilgrims getting a stamp for the pilgrim passport.
A little later, I met Celine and Paul from Dublin, Ireland. This is their first Camino and they are on day three. This is a test drive to see if they want to do a longer one. We had a grand old time chatting about Ireland and travel in general. Celine especially loves Croatia. I didn’t get a photo with them from the front but here they are from behind. Ha!
Tonight, I’m staying in a very nice hostel called Hostel Charino in Pontevedra. Julio, the owner and operator calls me “his Queen” and he has definitely treated me like one. Laundry in a washing machine AND dryer (although I used the clothesline) and breakfast are included. There is shampoo AND a hairdryer (you know how I love that amenity!). The rooms are clean and there is air conditioning! I might just be a queen in a palace after all.
My roommate, Milena is from the Lombardia region of Italy. It’s just the two of us in a room for four. Queens need our space.
Julio suggested we eat some fresh and delicious pulpo so several of us went to the place he recommended, Casa Fidel O’Pulpeiro, and it was in fact, delicious.
Before we went to eat, about eight of us went to a bar to drink some beer and swap stories. This is where I met Peter from England. He is a hoot and we hit it off like old pals. He asked to get a photo with me and I told him only if I could add it to the blog…which he of course said was a MUST. So this is for you Peter from London.
All in all, it was a really great day filled with fun and interesting people from all over the globe…”just walking each other home,” as Ram Dass says.
Goodnight and much love & gratitude from Spain! 🇪🇸
Scenes from Day 34
