The home stretch to Santiago

Once we hit Sarria we knew the number of Pilgrims would increase significantly.  Many folks come to walk the last five days.  Some as part of organized tour groups and others as part of church groups or school groups.  Still others come to get a taste of the Camino that fits within their work schedules.  Some amongst us who have walked a long distance find this surge an unwanted distraction that irritates them.   I can understand their feelings of loosing the balance of the Camino - but the Camino belongs to everyone - much like life we must find a way to adapt to the changing situations we face.    For me - I chose to find pockets between the increased numbers that still provided me some solitude for part of the day.  It might require walking faster - or slower - to protect the pockets - but they were always there.   It also brought a new group of folks to welcome and make at home on the journey we all shared.   We must show them the same warmth that so many others showed us along the way.  Everyone has their own Camino - regardless of length - and to treat them differently would be to loose the lesson we are being taught. 

One of those new groups who were here as part of a tour were cousins of Mr Jones.  Pam (mom), Sean (son), Matt (son) and Nancy (Pam's friend) all flew from CA to walk the last five days.  Sean had an injury - so he biked the path - while the others enjoyed the beauty and challenge that the walk represents.   They got a little rain - some really hot days - a few nice hills - lots of new friends - a Pilgrims Mass - and a wide variety of shared experiences in a short five days.  Pretty powerful stuff.  

Emotions are starting to mix for our Pilgrim community.  Almost all do not want the walk to end.   Many will walk on to Finisterre and Muxia - while others will have to return to the realities of work.   But it seems for virtually all that the experience is exceeding their expectations by a large amount.   They may not be able to explain it in words but they feel it with each passing day.  These new bonds are powerful and the Magic of the Camino has touched them in ways they could not have expected.   I share their feelings despite having very high expectations when I started.  Santiago is in reach...I look forward to the celebration but am starting to share the feeling that my walking is not yet done.   

Below is a picture of one of our favorite groups that were walking the last five days. A girls school group that sang in Churches along the way....we enjoyed their singing and got them to sing a few nights out in the squares after Mass.  A real highlight.   

 

This lady was walking the last five days - she was 87 years young.  Carefully watched by her daughter and grand daughter she brought a huge smile to my face and had me thinking I have many more Camino's in my future.  

 

Leaving Sarria early in the morning....beautiful view looking back down on the town.   Always a cross to welcome you into town and to greet you on the way out.....

 

Chris finding a nice "pocket" to walk between the growing number of Pilgrims.