MY POST CAMINO THOUGHTS

Before Beginning The Camino
From the moment I heard about the Camino, I knew I wanted to experience it. My reasons for wanting to do so had nothing to do with a feeling that something was missing from my life. It also had nothing to do with a late pro-life crisis or a need to find myself. I wanted to experience the challenge of it, see a part of Europe in a different way and if the long days of walking, internal dialogue and quite brought inspiration, that would be a bonus.

Along The Road
I've always found steep inclines to be the most physically demanding part of hiking. While some hike the inclines with seemingly little difficulty, I struggled. The same was true with the endless undulations of the Camino. Though over time my incline management proficiency increased, I still need more improvement.

One important point that all Camino bound walkers should note, the Camino is mostly a path of rocks. This includes, gravel, small rocks, medium rocks, large rocks, jagged rocks, smooth rocks paved stones and lots more. The rocks can eat up your feet. Also, if you're not a young person, who thinks they're invincible, the rocks (especially on the downhill) will require your focused attention with each step.  Because when you're older, you are keenly aware that a misstep could lead to a twisted ankle or even worse, a fall.  So, a misstep could possibly be your last step, on the Camino.  This high level of concentration can be very stressful and draining. 
NOTE: Since posting this, a fellow Georgian slipped on rocks while walking up a hill on the Camino.  The fall resulted in a cut near the eye and a black and blue eye.  The rocks can be dangerous.  Please walk with caution.

Check your shoes often for wear.  I can't stress this enough.  After returning home, I looked at my hiking boots to see how they had held up from the miles of walking and discovered that my left foot issues may have been partly due to the outer sole on my left shoe being worn down past the rubber.  While on the Camino it never occurred to me to check the wear on the soles of my shoes.  I was so certain they were holding up.  Don’t know why I made that assumption.

The First Few Weeks of The Camino
In the beginning, it's about setting up a routine. What you do each morning to prepare for the day's walk, what you eat for breakfast, when you eat breakfast, how long you walk before taking a break, how far you'll walk, where will you sleep (outside, albergue, hostel, pensions or hotel), will you wash your clothes today or tomorrow, showering, rest or not, where and what will you eat for dinner or will you cook, what time will you go to bed, what will you wear the next day (the choices are very limited) and what time will you get started tomorrow.

During this time, you also learn about how people come in and out of your life. Some you'll see again and again, others you'll see only once. Some will make a lasting impression and others won't impress. Then, there are the angels. Those who appear at just the right time and say or do exactly what you need at that moment in time and then they're gone.

The first few weeks you learn that everyday is an opportunity for a new experience of life, it's beauty, it's challenges and the people you meet along the way. How you experience it is all up to you.

In The Flow of The Camino
Once you've been on the Camino for a while, the routine is set, you have made some friends, you're enjoying the adventure, you're getting stronger and life is good. Then, you hit the Meseta and everything changes. There aren't as many cute little towns, the views aren't as interesting and you wish it would end sooner.

This is your time to find the beauty where it is not always evident. Find beauty in the silence and tranquility of the blandness of the Meseta.

Getting To The End 
The goal is Santiago de Compostela. Getting there is both the challenge and the reward. While walking, try to focus less on the end game and more on the moment. When you do this, the experience will be far more rewarding.

Getting Back to Everyday Life
I believe the Camino is a microcosm of everyday life. Enough said.

Walking the Camino again?
No, I would not walk the Camino again. Some have said I may change my mind, but I've always been a "Been there. Done that", kind of gal. There are so many wonderful and interesting things to do and see, I rarely have the desire to repeat an experience. I like enjoying the memory of the first experience. That is the indelible memory.

DAY THIRTY-TWO - Santiago de Compostela - Continued

The next stop was the Pilgrim's Mass. Along the way, I got separated from Juo and Ryan. I never saw them again. After checking my backpack and hiking poles at a place set up for arriving Pilgrims to temporarily store their belongings, while attending mass or locating accommodations, I entered the Cathedral.

The Cathedral was filled to capacity with pilgrims, non-pilgrim visitors and tourists.


The Cardinal

 

The men in the burgundy robes pull the Botafumerio suspension rope

Pilgrims always hope to be able to attend a mass at which the Botafumerio will be swung. This was also my hope and we were all fortunate enough to see it. Below is some history from Wikipedia:

The Botafumeiro is a famous thurible found in the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (in the past similar devices were used in large churches in Galicia, nowadays sometimes is used in the Tui Cathedral). Incense is burned in this swinging metal container, or "incensory". The name "Botafumeiro" means "smoke expeller" in Galician.^[1]

I posted a video of the Botafumerio swinging ceremony on Facebook:

Botafumerio swinging video

The certificates, Cotolaya and Compostela received:

Top Left=1/2 Way Certificate from Sahagun

Top Right=Camino Compostela

Lower Left=Total Kilometers Completed Certificate

Lower Right=The Cotolaya-Given only this year to commemorate 

the 800th Anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi's pilgrimage 

from Italy to Santiago de Compostela