It was yesterday morning after I had stopped in Arzua for a morning coffee and suddenly about 50 school children appeared, walking the Camino. At first I cringed a bit (like with the Americans on the bus) but then I realised that they were just happy, healthy people going on a walk; with a common purpose. They were good fun and made the effort to talk to me. That was when I realised that I was the the unusual one who had decided to do something extreme, challenging and quite frankly stupid! I met a group of ten Irish boys aged around 15 or 16 who were having a whale of a time. They were singing and blowing green plastic trumpets. They asked me where I was from and where I started. When I told them one lad said I must be a "feckin eejit" for walking all that way. "why did you not catch a plane like us!" he mused.
After that moment I was happier with my fellow new pilgrims; each of us walking our own Camino.
Back to today.
Instead of starting the day with a café con leché I had the famous Galician chocolate drink (so thick that the spoon stands up) and churros (like long thin donuts)..... fabulous.
After that I returned to the cathedral and did the tour (special rate for pilgrims) this is an incredible building. It is so big that you cannot see all of it at once. Each aspect is different, parts of it have been built over different times of the last 1000 years. It has been extended, redesigned and in some places rebuilt due to fire and damage.
I have visited the cathedral three times now and each part of it releases some of its secrets each time. Because there are high windows all around some sections will be in the dark at times of the day and their glory illuminated at others. The museum houses some amazing pieces of tapestry, iconography, paintings, relics, statues etc etc
I then walked around some of the parks and lanes of the old city. It was very quiet this morning. Maybe the revelry of last night kept them all in bed. It is a beautiful place and not spoilt by tourism or modernism.
After lunch I popped down to the bus station and investigated visiting Finisterre tomorrow but there is only one early trip there and it returns late. I will make this journey another time, maybe on foot. I have my ferry booked to return from Santander on Thursday afternoon and also booked a train leaving Santiago early tomorrow morning to Palencia. From there I catch another to Santander. Some of this trip will be the reverse of my journey here (but hopefully a bit quicker)
I have felt a bit "spaced-out" today. Partly because I forgot to take my medication last night but mostly just a bit disoriented as there is no master plan now. No routine, no yellow arrows to follow, no deciding where to stop for the night.
So, why did I do the Camino? Would I do it again? What would I do differently?
All good questions.
I did it because I could. I am lucky to have the time, the good health and the support of my lovely wife. Not many people have these things. It had to be a challenge. It had to be different - because that is who I am (challenging and different?)
Would I do it again?
Not the same Camino; because it would not be challenging or different. I will certainly be looking for my next crazy venture. My eldest son has just offered to do the Wayfarers Walk with me sometime.
What would I do differently?
I would probably not plan so much. There is a saying here "the Camino will provide" a good mantra for life in general. Let things happen as they happen.
Otherwise I would probably do it exactly the same way. I have met some amazing people, been to some wonderful places and experienced things that you cannot do unless you just do them.
I wasn't sure what I wanted when I started my Camino. I now know that I want to be at home with my family, my health and my experiences.
(Until the next time.......)
A few photos from yesterday
Sign graffiti
Some good advice for me
I said goodbye to my umbrella
The Irish kids
The Spanish kids
A knackered pilgrim (who made it today)
More advise for me.
