... To Santiago de Compostela, Part III

The morning of our anticipated arrival in Santiago, we awoke early, our excitement tangible in the form of boosted endorphins and renewed momentum.  We had slept in a town only 5 kilometers from the cathedral, planning to arrive early enough in the city to breakfast and receive our official Compostelas, the certificate of the Camino, before attending the pilgrim mass at noon.  One last time, we headed into the dark together, and didn't look back.

Love Them

Percebes

As we began our descent off the hill and into Santiago de Compostela, I did my best to be present for each final step.  I knew enough to know I'd fully digest the experience later, as I'm much more an internal processor than external.  I was however, able to fully adore each of the people I was blessed enough to walk with, each final step my legs were able to take.  I was able to marvel over my relative lack of pain, and how very strong I felt.  I was even, at least for a few moments, able to appreciate the recent hilarity of the noises coming from our roommate the evening before, a camino miracle in itself.

I finally, finally, after nearly 6 weeks, arrived in Santiago de Compostela.  We sat down for one last breakfast together, and took stock of how far we'd each come.  We were then greeted by a most friendly Nicola at the cathedral, where we took our photos.  Photos with our cameras certainly, but also with our hearts.

Orujo

The following few days were filled with celebration, and laughter, and phenomenal Galician tapas.  There were reunions with friends from St.Jean, reunions with camino crushes, and even, unfortunately for some of us, reunions with the occasional camino creeper.  For many of us women, there was the purchasing of mascara and European skinny jeans, because oof, it's been since July that I've felt even a little girly, and it felt good.

Inevitably, our community began to dissolve, some flying home, others like myself heading out to the coast, or the end of the earth as it's known here.  Goodbyes were difficult, as I knew I'd be heading back out into solo travel and the consequent loneliness that comes with it.  It was what I looked forward to least, losing this exceptional, unusual community.  I didn't take them for granted.

Sunset, End of the World

I know that among the many camino lessons, and miracles, and hurts, and healing, we had each other.  We shared relationship, and community, and laughter.  We shared tears and vulnerability.  We shared braces for tendonitis, and medicine for illness, and electrolyte powder for puffy-face syndrome.  We shared bottles of vino tinto, and our secret hopes for the future.  We shared our confidence and our courage as well as much as our weakness and our failings.  And I think, at the end of it all, that's all that matters, all any of us can hope for.  So, to those who continue to live as pilgrims on this wildly painful, glorious, messy road that is life, a most sincere Buen Camino.