The next day I was walking through the plaza. And a protest broke out for the liberation of Galicia From Spain.  What the heck I decided to join in!  It had a cool name Soberania! I could relate! The police showed up and no arrests were made.

 

I grabbed the three hour bus ride to Fisterra!  Over the mountains and through the woods to the Atlantic Coast. The views were breathtaking! All I can say is this trip just seems to get better!  Seaport Villages, fishing villages, oyster farms, boats and boats and boats! The salt air is refreshing! I found a remodeled farmhouse turned spa as my launching base for my assault to the Finisterre Lighthouse Considered in Columbus' time as the end of the earth. I will start my hike there tomorrow morning!

 

I trekked out to the lighthouse!  What did I find? Goats! Here are some shots of the end of the world!

 

 

 

Notice the Cross

I can now say I have been to the end of the world and back!

 

 

Back to Madrid! I checked out the Royal Palace and Plaza de Mayor!  Both Were very beautiful!  That evening I hung out around the Plaza by the Royal theater.  I heard some music going on so I walked over to the Royal Palace.  Radio Madrid was putting on a music festival!  Flamingo dancers, jazz and pop! I noticed a group Wearing T-shirts with Living Water written on the fronts! All of a sudden the choir robes came out! They got up and rocked the palace with four Gospel songs In English!

Now what are the odds that an American in Madrid can go to Spain's Royal Palace and hear gospel music in English! 

 

 

My last day in Spain! The real Madrid basketball team had a game at the Palacia de Los Desportes So there I went! They offered free pictures standing in front of recent European basketball trophies that real Madrid had won! So what the heck I shared in their championships! And they won

105 to 72!

 

 

Back to the States!  It took two hours to get through security at the Madrid Airport and only 15 minutes to get through customs in Philadelphia!  Go Figure?

 

The adventure continues.

 

 

I can't really describe the emotions as I enter the Compostella de Santiago Cathedral Plaza.  At times I felt attacked by the vendors and the panhandlers.  It seemed like everywhere I looked there was someone looking for a miracle; the blind, the disabled and those that were less fortunate.

 

My feet hurt! Over the last 40 km I wore my sandals rather than shoes!  Then an overwhelming sense of joy, humility and gratitude came upon me!  Three years of planning came to an end...I had completed a Pilgrimage!

 

 

I went into the cathedral and sat down just to reflect.  During that time I felt a peace and a sense of serenity that I have never felt before.  I realized how well I have it and it will get better if I just simply, "Keep It Simple!"

 

That Simplicity includes trusting in a loving God, cleaning my own house and serving others.  Then realizing that a Spiritual Awakening is accepting that I cannot be perfect, but I might as well enjoy the journey (Camino) anyway!

 

 

After obtaining my credential of completion from the Pilgrim's Office it was time for the Pilgrim's Mass.  It seemed that all my fellow Pilgrims along the Camino were at that Mass!  And what a fitting way to say good-bye as greeting each other with, "Peace be with You!"  The next day we were blessed to be able to watch the swinging of the Botafumerio (Incense) and we parted ways...

 

To all the friends and Pilgrims I met along the way, we can always remember in fondness of a commonality we belong to...

 

 



 



In closing a word I often use, "Continue!"  or in this case,

 

"To Be!"

 

"Rome"

 

 



 

 

 



 

Everyone along the Camino are getting more and more (did I say, "More?") excited about arrivals into Santiago.  We are all planning to attend the Pilgrims Mass the same day we arrive.  The mass is at Noon so Pilgrims are setting up their arrival strategies.  Scenes as I enter SANTIAGO!

 

 

Let the Sleeping Dawg Lie!

 

 

 

A monument commemorating  the Popes visit to the area and pointing the way to Santiago!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite places in Rural Spain was Alberque Los Caminantes near Arzua!  The entrance of the village was highlighted with a Romanesque bridge.  The walls of the Alberque were made of granite measuring at least two feet!  Here is a view out my "Backyard!"

 

 

 

The evening also include a visit from a local pooch.  He hung around and followed me through out my exploring until I was heartbroken to send him away!

 

 

The next morning on the Camino I saw a man with a North Carolina Tar Heels hat.  Of course I said, "Tar Heels Fan?"

 

He quirked in a very excited way, "Are you from America?  I am from Poland and I plan to go to New York City next year and rent a car and drive across country to that Grand thing and go to the Mojave desert and travel across that Golden Bridge you have!!!" 

 

He turned a walked away as I stood there stunned and speechless.  I still don't know if he was Tar Heels fan. 

 

 

 The Scallop Shell and the Cross of the Templars lead the way

 

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   Views of the Camino from Sarria to Santiago

I stayed last night in Alberque San Marcos in Palas de Rei.  What a blessing!   A DRY PILGRIM IS A REALLY  GRATEFUL PILGRIM!!!

 

 

I just want y'all to know I consider Spain a civilized country!

 

 

It is a cold overcast day today on the Camino and still able to rip off 13 km today.  I caught up with a confirmation class from Germany. The chaperones of this group must be saints as these kids are all over everywhere.  One has to consider the opportunity these kids get as completing the Camino and becoming Soldiers of Christ at the same time.

I am staying in an alberque near Ventas de Naron and literally out in the middle of nowhere! Luckily the sheep know where we are at!  Around Puenta la Reina I observed on a far hill side a sheep herder and his dog moving his flock.  Amazingly Serene!

 

 

An early morning stroll and what do you find? A...

 

 

 

 

It was on to Palas de REI with overcast skies and rain.  I was blessed with the Alberque San Marcos in its first year of operation.  Any time on the Camino you find a washer with a dryer especially on a rainy day you count your blessing!  DRY AGAIN!! The Shell is always pointing the WAY in the Villages, Towns and the Trail! >>>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rain....

What a day on the Camino!  I had to wear full rain gear and loved it!  A warm rain, beautiful trail and fresh fall like smells!  

Then the bottom fell out... Stopped raining, bugs came out,     the smell of fresh manure, dropped my poncho (had to back after it), lost my glasses and my electrical adapter!

Then the bridge at Porto Marin!  I have never seen green like I did today. The ruins under the bridge are covered under water when the dam is in operation.  I understand more of what you were doing in Turkey Brooke!  
   


Replaced everything I lost... Adjustments must be made on the Camino de Santiago!

Another camino miracle?

Dinner tonight was not good.  I had the Pilgrim's meal of macaroni with a tasteless tomato sauce, I ordered chicken and got four chicken wings and the desert was a pretty good almond cake!  Sitting close to me was this guy from Mexico.  He admitted he was drunk, he is on the Camino to party and chase women and then stated he did not like Americans!  I controlled my tongue ate and left.

In the alberque I found a magazine in English! Christian Focus! I read most of the articles and was reminded that this journey is Spiritual to me and then realized it was not about me!

Another Camino miracle?

A scare on the camino and 100km to go.....

I left Sarria before day break.  I encountered some of the creepiest experience I have had on the Camino!  Upon sunrise the most serene walk to date! Just look at the pathways!
        
First, I pasted the monastery which was no big deal.  Then right through a cemetery where vaults were layered upon each other.  After That I noticed that the trees were all gnarly straight out of the Wizard of Oz!  Suddenly a bat flew right in front of my face! Thank God for flashlights and sunlight!  
        
I just had to stay at this alberque!


Upon sunrise the most serene walk to date! Just look at the pathways!
Even found acceptable graffiti! Fancy that! 100km to go to Santiago!
          

My plan.....edited

I have been walking 10-15km per day.  At this rate, I will not be able to complete the entire Camino de Frances route to Santiago as planned.

I will be in Sarria on the 1st or 2nd of October to walk the final 100 km to Santiago (10-15 days) and still get a certificate of completion.  

So getting out of the Meseta(no more wheat and corn) and skipping the industrial side of Leon and heading back into the mountains! (Can you see me singing like Julie Andrews in the mountains like in the Sound of Music?).  My biggest obstacle will be dealing with the rain, cold, sore feet, aching shins, and hurting knees... (hungry too!)

The great thing about this plan is I will now have the assurance of completing my goal and enjoying it without the burden of a time frame.

And then I can be a wandering soul on the Camino de Santiago!

Astorga and fellow pilgrims....

Well the rain has started and is forecasted for the next 5 days if not more.  I am in Astorga, a town of 12,000.  Again another cathedral and this time a different structure called the Episcopal Palace (Disney-like)  Both buildings out of this world.  

Fellow pilgrims who we tend to re-meet.....

            
More Tigers' fans in Astorga!  Even a few Lions!
           
        

My credential del pelegrino (pilgrim's passport) so far.....

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