Judy's Camino 2023

 

 I can’t believe it’s the last walking day!! I am so full of all emotions. All the feels today. we got up earlier than expected because somebody else got up earlier than we wanted to and lights came on and shuffling happened so we woke up and off we went.  The weather was perfect for walking, and I enjoyed walking with friends I had previously made along the Camino. Of course the roads couldn’t be flat and easy for the last day. It was hilly, and difficult. We were all so focused on getting to Santiago that we only made one stop during the day.  10km to go! My first view of Santiago  Finally! I finished  Meeting and eating with friends I went to the Pilgrim’s Mass at 7:30. It reminded us that all the different people from all the different countries were drawn together in Jesus love while walking to Santiago and walking through life.

 Long walk today. Nothing new. I love the smell of the eucalyptus as they were harvesting today.  Mostly shady walk through a few old towns.  Again, I am meeting many people that I have walked with over the last 6 weeks. It’s fun to catch up.

 Someone’s alarm clock went off at 5:30 this morning☹️ Oh, and then they started talking to each other loudly. So I had an early start this morning which meant I got to my albergue at about noon. They were really sweet and let me check in early. More forest walking and walking through small towns.  Lots more eucalyptus forests, too. More hórreos.  I went through one large city, Malide. There was an industrial park before we actually entered the city. It was not a very interesting city to look at. My albergue has  a swimming pool. It’s so cold that it’s really only good for soaking your sore feet. It was a short day today just over 20 km. Tomorrow will be about 28 km and a high of 76°. I’m going to try and get up at 5:30am again.🤣

 Another idyllic walking day. Walking on paths through forests and fields. Sunshine making dogs lazy.  Walking past sheep and cows. Farmer ok with me taking a photo.  Those strange shaped buildings, like the one beside the house in the pic below are called hórreos and are indeed for storing grain or corn.  Today’s interesting tidbit: eucalyptus trees were introduced here, in Galicia, some years ago, and they are doing very well.  Is this where the tooth fairy lives? 😂 I miscalculated the distance again today (sigh) I thought it would be barely 23 km and it was almost 27km. Oh well. Shorter day tomorrow and then my last long day. 

 For about two weeks my right knee has been giving me a lot of pain. In fact, two nights ago at Fonfria, I hardly slept at all because of the pain. When I got to Sarria yesterday I was in so much pain I could barely walk. I’ve done everything I possibly can; I’ve been to the pharmacy; got all the right creams. I elevate my legs after my walk I have a compression sleeve that I use, but it just keeps getting worse. Last night I couldn’t sleep at all because of the pain. I felt sure I was going to have to stop the walk and come home early. So in the middle of the night not being able to sleep, it seemed a good time to pray. I told Jesus that no matter what happened I would continue to trust Him, and praise him for all the help He’s already given in this difficult endeavor. I very rarely pray for myself, but last night I told Jesus that I would prefer to be able to finish this walk, and I would like to finish it without pain. I asked Him to heal my knee. For some reason I was surprised...

My mind and soul thought today was a beautiful walk. My knees, however, felt it was a horrible walk. There was a lot of downhill! I believe this is the last major downhill that I have.  The day was very pastoral; walking under trees, along lanes, and listening to bird song.  I came across this beautiful fountain. And beautiful surprise was this gorgeous oasis, which was strictly donativo.   Their bathroom situation amused me! I was not quite ready for the drastic increase in the number of pilgrims today. There were busloads of people just doing day walks. All the people were happy, full of energy and talking very loudly and there was no peace on the second half of the walk today.  I’m happy that so many people are getting to get a taste of the Camino. I just wasn’t quite ready for the impact that they would have on me. I also wasn’t ready to arrive in a Sarria. I don’t think I realized it was such a big city. I also forgot that on Sunday nothing is open except t...