Re-entry

Today was the last long day, or at least that’s what the book says.  I left early again to enjoy the sounds of nature and savor the quiet before the day-pilgrims start.  It was a very pleasant morning of reflection.  This has been an amazing experience, full of both rewards and challenges.

The infrastructure continues to improve as this portion has significantly more pilgrims.  I took the opportunity to ease myself off simple pilgrim meals and back to more modern items, like avocado and salmon toast.  (OK, maybe pilgrims of long ago had special toast too.) 

The groups are getting larger and more organized.  Lots of young people are enjoying The Way and that makes me smile.  I also love all the families walking together.  This has become a very diverse, yet integrated group of all ages and nationalities.  I met one youth group from a church in Mississippi and think they were 20+ in number.  The youngest seems to be in elementary school and the older ones have the option of jumping on and off their support bus.  I love the unity! 

Today was also a gratitude day.  Lots of people came to mind that I am thankful for.  First of all is Cindy who supported this crazy idea and who has been posting the daily blog posts.  Without her hard work there wouldn’t even be a blog, as all I brought was my phone.  

Next would be my balcony people, who have been following my blog.  Thanks for your encouragement and interest in reading my thoughts.  For anyone who wants to know more personal insights, I’d love to buy you a coffee or, better yet, join you for a walk.  (It seems the pilgrims were on to something.)  I have a few thousand pictures, so maybe a short video will eventually be produced.  

Although they have both passed, I thank my parents for giving me the spirit of adventure.  Thank you,  brother John, for coming up with the idea and thanks to Al and Ray for encouraging me to give it a try.  Finally, many thanks to my fellow pilgrims for your support and friendship. 

 

Now it is time to celebrate with the regional and traditional octopus meal and my own private room in the albergue, so I can get more sleep.  

Two more days and, Lord willing, I will be arriving in Santiago.  Hopefully I will be able to find more of my original Camino family members over the next few days.  I would really like to celebrate with them.  What a wonderful journey!  

Buen Camino! 

 

33,020 steps

  16.28 miles

 

Location:  Ribadiso @ 42.930366, -8.131529