Well it had to happen eventually. All good things must come to an end, etc etc. Our final walk to Santiago from Pedrouzo began with a smiling nun (wielding a much needed stamp for our credencial) and an invitation to send a letter to God. I took the stamp but declined the latter…Mr Postbox looked a little demonic to me! 

We walked through forest – in the early morning there is an energy that I can’t describe. It’s both peaceful and palpable. We passed through eucalyptus forest too. A feast for all senses, and a sweet reminder of home. It was an odd feeling being this close to Santiago. It’s taken 39 days (including 4 rest days) to get here. A daily routine of foot care, walk, breakfast, walk, sneaky cerveza, walk, lunch (inc cerveza and/or vino tinto), walk, find somewhere to sleep, shower, dinner, bed, snorkers, sleep (or not!). More or less. For 35 of 39 days. The last few days I began to feel exhausted – that bone deep physical exhaustion that comes from having done this. Everything is hurting like it did in the beginning. And mentally exhausted too from having too many conversations in my head with no real answers yet! No, readers, I’m afraid enlightenment has eluded me! (The Bocadillo Butt however remains ever present!). So the walk into Santiago felt long even though it was only 20km. At this marker I got very excited. About 12 km out.

We stopped at miracle hill about 5km from Santiago. By this point I was over it! And just operating on autopilot. The walk into Santiago itself was, dare I say it, rather anti climactic. It wasn’t all that well signed and quite frankly I’ve had better walks into towns. Yes, it was great to finally make it to the cathedral but…

We tackled the pilgrims office to get the official Compostela. And the distance certificate to attest to the official number of km we’ve walked since st Jean. 799. Those Spanish kms again!

That evening we went to mass at the cathedral. At the beginning of the mass the priest reads out all the countries that were represented by pilgrims arriving that day, and Australia was first! And I thought to myself – wow, that was me! At the end of the mass we were very lucky to see the botefumeiro swinging, which was very special.

So I’m done and dusted. Honestly I’m still processing what I’ve been through. It was tougher than I thought it would be. More enjoyable. Frustrating. Inspirational. Challenging. Some days joyous. But did I find myself? Yeah, I’m not sure about that. The people I met made it special, and life long friendships were formed. The food was amazing (mostly!). The experiences ‘alongside’ the Camino like the medieval festival in Orbigo, the horse riding, the dancing, so many others – were so much fun. I’ve learned lots. Maybe subjects for future posts. And I will share lists of places etc I recommend once I go through it all again, for those planning your own Camino. The next day the Ugliest Shoes in the World were sent home to become dog walking shoes. They’re a little worse for wear but they will still serve a purpose. (Like me, I suppose – now that sounds like enlightenment!).

And I went shopping and bought non-pilgrim clothes!

So there it is… Tania and the Ugliest Shoes in the World had a great Camino Adventure. The search for enlightenment continues but they all lived happily ever after knowing that it was a good job, well done. The End