My Camino Day 31 (final day)

Day 31(final day): Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela (20 km)

I started the day with mixed emotions. “Yes today is the last day and I will finally be in Satiago de Compostela in 6 hours.” I was happy to finish the walk and yet sad to end my whole journey. I entered the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral square with Joy and other pilgrims whose names I don’t know. Once I sat and lied down in the middle of the square I realized that I don't have to walk again tomorrow. It will be a new and different day. 

After spending some time in the square Joy and I went to the pilgrims office to get the last stamp on the pilgrims passport and the Compostela (certificate). The stamped pilgrim’s passport (Credencial del Peregrino) is proof that you have walked more than the 100 km necessary to obtain the certificate. I had more than 30 stamps on my pilgrims passport; each stamp from every albergue I stayed in on the way.  

There was a long line up (1-2 hours waiting) at the office. I looked for my pilgrims passport inside my backpack but could not find it. I searched every where in panic but my Camino passport was nowhere to be found. I realized I might have left it at the first cafe on the way where I had breakfast. (maybe in the bathroom). I asked one of the staff at the pilgrim’s office to contact the café. He tried but no one was picking up the call…

I went to a small chapel next to the office and sat down on the pew. I closed my eyes and prayed to God offering thanksgiving for every walk I have walked since a month ago. “Receiving the certificate was never a purpose of my journey.  I lost my pilgrims passport with all the stamps but it does not matter. My Camino is in my heart.”  I was completely fine after the prayer.  

I stayed at albergue Seminario Menor in a single ROOM (not a bed)! It was really nice to be able to spread out my belongings  

Next day: I got up 5:30 am in order to pack and get ready for a morning flight. Guess what I found as I was reorganizing things in the backpack. “The Camino Passport!” It had been hidden behind the sunscreen lotion in the top pocket. “My pilgrims passport was lost but now is found” I laughed  God is funny.  At the airport, while waiting for the flight Joy drew the last stamp on my Camino passport for me. 

I thank God for everything: my backpack, shoes and socks, poles, all my family, friends & church members praying for me, my Camino friends, and my God. There will be more stories to come from my Camino experience.  Buen Camino!

My Camino Day 29 & 30

Day 29 Palas de Rei to Ribadiso (26 km) 
Day 30 Ribadiso to Pedrouzo (23 km)

Day 29: “Don’t try to take an easy way. Just follow the signs, accept whatever path is before you, take the challenge and walk  it.” This is what I said to Joy when she asked “why don’t we take a taxi to the next town. It will only take  20 minutes to Ribadiso by taxi instead of 7 hours!” It sounds like a plan. However, that is not the Camino. The young pilgrims in my team sent their backpacks by carrier service to Ribadiso. Each paid 3 euros for the service. They walked without the backpacks today.

Most pilgrims on the Camino carry their backpacks whether it’s just a small one or a big one. You throw all your stuff in this one backpack and carry it to the next destination.  To me carrying my own backpack is important. The backpack is my responsibility and the challenge I need to take to get myself to the next point in my life. Now I feel that my backpack becomes a part of myself and I don’t want to take an easy way out of this challenge.

I hope and pray that all my family members, friends, members of my church and community may gladly carry their responsibilities and face the challenges to the next level of their journey as faithful pilgrims. 

Day 30: In the morning I asked Joy to carry her backpack and challenge herself to see how far she could endure. I knew that she had an ankle problem since yesterday. I used my beloved duct tape to make an ankle support for her.  She continued walking with one flip flop on and finished her walk today. Carrying her backpack all day!  I am glad that she did it. Buen Camino.