Category: Camino Francés

The last day of this incredible journey… wow, what a strange feeling. I had breakfast with Gabriel and his girl friend. All of us were in this strange mood, happy because of what we have gone through, sad because the end is near. We took a taxi for a few km, to be able to make it in one day, then we set out to walk the last km of the way. I had to stop for a beer at this wonderful beach I passed… so beautiful. Out of nowhere from the beach I hear someone calling my name. Floris, …

What a nice morning, but the 33km for the day and the way the right foot was acting up again yesterday, do scare me a bit. I walked for 5km and had breakfast. The Standard Huevos y Bacon y zumo de Naranja and a Coffee. After this good breakfast, it was another 7km to the next bar, where I waited for Neil to catch up. We walked together for the rest of the day, had another big climb on the way, and finally got to A Punto Olveiroa. Neil did not get a bed, so I called in the place …

So I am off again. 90k to the end of the world. Had a great last night with Martin, whom I will probably meet again in france. But did not get to say goodbye to most of the lovely people I met, but that is also part of the Camino. So, I left town early and started walking, following the known yellow arrows, now pointing to finisterre. It was supposed to be a 20k walk, and I am happy that Neil caught up half way. We bar hopped our way through, and sat down at 22km even though it was …

Ok, the end of a pilgrimage in Santiago is usually marked by going to the pilgrims mass. With Covid restrictions even that became a little quest. I did not know I would have been able to. Get a ticket for mass at the oficina Peregrino where I got my compostela So, I went again to the pilgrims office today, and asked a guy there where to get the Tickets. He said get in queue and get a number. I waited 30min in queue, and then was told I don‘t need a number, I should just go back to the desk …

I started at 7am. It was a long and painful walk. I met Pauline, and Kelly on the last 10km. But walked alone till I entered the city. What a feeling! Kelly caught up on the last 2k to the cathedral, and we went singing Ultreia up to the cathedral. What an unbelievable feeling. I just dropped to the floor, the sun I had ordered from the universe, came out and I enjoyed the moment!

After dinner in Palas de rei I wanted to go to bed right away, but hunter texted me that he had this story to share and we had to meet up. So we did! So his friend Nathan came all the way from California to surprise him. He tracked him down through his wife’s Facebook account, as she told him where he had ist been. Amazingly he got to this small village and found him. Playing an awesome prank on him. So the three of us went out for drinks, and met this crazy but lovely Spanish guy. Apparently he …

So today was horrible. The pain was incredible in both feet. When I finally got to the next village 8k out, I met up with my Mexican chicas, Prisciala and Brenda. And some of the others of that crew, I had the spontaneous prayer in 5 languages with. I started walking with Priscila and Brenda for a while. Then I went ahead and left them behind for a few km. They caught back up again, right before the rain started, so we flew to a bar. There we met these horse back riding pilgrims. Not only were they traveling on …

Today felt special from the start. Even though the pain in my right foot has now reached the level of the worst state of the left foot, I left town excited for this days walk. I left very early, having attended to my feet – tape, silicon pads, cremes… for a long time. When finally on the road, Galicia’s beauty hit me right away after leaving walking out of the town. It was still very foggy and drizzling at the time, but that made it just more magic and such an incredible atmosphere. Floris texted me, that he was still …

One of those mornings. One of the roommates in the Albergue decide that 5:30am is the time to turn on the light. And since all 4 ceiling lights were done with separate switches, he turned in the on right above my bed. And I had the top bunk. Yes…. What a Start into the day. I did not get out till 8am after that, and ran into Rebecca. The 19 year old Irish kid that made me go to mass in O Cebreiro. We went to breakfast, and were joined by Francesco. Rebecca and I started the day together. And …