The End of the World - Finisterre and Faro

You can see why people thought it was the end of the world with the blurring lines of ocean and sky merely fading into beautiful blends of blue. Yesterday was the last day of the Camino, ending in Finisterre, Faro really, to experience this end. Interestingly enough, our identity and our purpose had been absorbed into the Camino, the reason we were getting up every day. Though not exactly a job, the structure and routine around our day made it seem as though it was our purpose. 

The Way has been one of the most challenging and beautiful experiences I have embarked on in ways unimaginable or explicable. A few of my brief reflections from our trek... 

Physically 
It is a bit more than ‘just walking’. The Camino del Norte is along the coast which includes a few challenging climbs and descents. Walking poles are recommended. We’re so glad we found ours at Decathalon just before starting in Oviedo! 

Your feet may hurt, likely blister, get swollen, throb, maybe not fit in your shoe, and feel rugged. Distinguish real injury from discomfort. Chances are, you’re just not acclimated yet and your body is yelling at you for pushing boundaries. 

Muscles will be used that you didn’t know excited, nor how sore they could feel. You’ll get stronger over the days and weeks. What used to feel more challenging, eases up and you adjust. Your body is remarkable, though standing up after relaxing for a duration will still probably feel like it is in slow motion, and a bit uncomfortable. With this, stretching is key! Take time to do so, even bring a lacrosse ball or tennis ball if you can to isolate the pains and cramping. 

The weather is unpredictable sometimes but very important items we had included two outfits. One your in, one clean for after the shower so you can wash the other. Two good pairs of hiking socks. A bathing suit and sarong. Hat for the hair and sun protection. Plenty of sunscreen and importantly especially when in Galicia, a rain coat. The morning may be crisp when arising before the sun as well for using the jacket. Though on days like these last few those crisp mornings become a memory all too quickly in the scorching sun. 

Eat a lot more than you would expect you need and hydrate like you can pee outside, because you can. Keeping water bottles full at all stops is key, and electrolyte tablets aren’t so bad either.
Try not to get the stomach flu, but stuff happens. 

Be honest with yourself. Nap with everyone for siesta when arriving at the next cities. Sit down long for a lunch break. Take off your shoes even. Be in tuned to how your body responds and what it needs. 

Physical challenges are unique in all of our experiences, but easiest to describe and feel commodity over. However, more exhilarating and personal are more so where you allow your mind to take you during the many hours and challenges you may be faced. 

Mentally & Spiritually 
What a beautiful experience to deepen self reflection and connection! The moments varied from truly analyzing and looking at the texture of how light fog appears and soon lifts on the country grass that nearly looks fake as the sun rises and wind barely dances, to more self realizations and affirmations of importance and values within life. 

Taking the time to take time. When allowing thoughts and emotion to freely come and go, it’s amazing what you realize in your own truths because you have given yourself enough time to be. Breath, nothing is permanent. Beginning to let go of more and becoming more present is one of my greatest challenges as I prefer to plan and have some stability in knowing what is happening in the future. We have the gift of now and nothing else is guaranteed. Granted, I still plan on being an organized planner, learning to grow even further into my presence will allow me to better not just myself, but all of my connections in the world and with the people I care about most.  

It’s remarkable how language can and also isn’t a barrier as I listened, observed, and analyzed the different souls and psyches. Humanity transcends language, and though sometimes the conversations challenging, the number of heartfelt and extremely personal and passionate conversations and revelations had with others while walking is fascinating. The energy we seemed to attract remained to be open minded and of similar soulful characters. Contemplating some of my communication skills and approaches with those who spoke English (with most speaking Spanish of course), I was able to appreciate their needs of communication and try to depend my understanding of how my responses would shape the perceptions. 

Watching the simplistic complexity of every moving particle in nature was feeling like a soft reminder of the presence of God or whatever higher power you may believe in. Inexplicable amazement I merely wish a photo could capture well enough. 

As I wrote about before, I was so fortunate to have been in an extremely powerfully connected spiritual place when initially accepting my Grandpa’s death. Santiago has a presence about it. The pilgrims that come near and far from days to weeks or months, all gather in awe in front of the enormous Cathedral as they marinate in their journey. Tears flow, cheers of completion ring out, hugs and high fives to strangers you share this moment with. The mass was in Spanish but the energy transcended and in those moments of prayer I felt so wonderfully connected. Lighting candles for loved ones was natural and though I didn’t know yet at the time, was precisely when and what my family at home would need. I cried, laughed, rejoiced, prayed, and truly felt being in Santiago. 

Our Camino - for moderate trekkers on del Norte from Asturias to Galicia:  
El Pito - Soto de Luiña
Soto de Luiña - Cadavedo
Cadavedo - Piñera
Piñera - La Caridad
La Caridad - Ribadeo
Ribadeo - Lourenzá
Lourenzá - Abadín
Abadín - Vilalba
Vilalba - Baamonde
Baamonde - Miraz
Miraz - Sobrado
Sobrado - Arzua
Arzua - O Pedrouza
O Pedrouza - Santiago
Total - 306 km

After arriving in Santiago de Compestela, the trek continued another 4 days to Finisterre and Faro, or where they used to think the end of the world was (additional 90km). We decided to take a full day to rest and explore Santiago. Thankfully, we had given ourselves an extra buffer day even for during the trek but had decided not to use it. 

Santiago - Nereira
Negreira - Lago
Lago - Cee
Cee - Finisterre (Faro)
Total - 90 km

Though we will keep walking, nothing will be like this. We began the Camino knowing we would be challenged, appreciating there would be inevitable growth, yet the expectation so open led to more than that. I’ll miss waking up with the purpose of walking and excitement to see what and who we may encounter. 

Bittersweet to end this piece of the journey. 

Chow for now