Going Home

• November 1, 2014
• Antoinette Bodeau
• Activities
• Tags: Camino de Santiago, Finisterre, The Camino

There is something that happens to me when traveling; as much I may love the experience, I always feel ready to go home about two days out. This time is no exception.

While there is a longing for life as I knew before the Camino (and my own bed), I am also savoring each and every moment because that is what I have right now. The past few days have been some of my favorites times. It is the Camino I had longed for and I got my wish. I have walked many miles not seeing a single soul and have had time to ponder and just time to BE. I have loved the solitude during the days and then the evenings to share a meal with fellow pilgrims and stories of life on and off the Camimo.

The terrain from Santiago is spacious, green and varied. I walked hills, through farm land and villages. It took three days of walking to get to Muxia where I got my first glimpse of the sea. It was glorious to see! It certainly helped that the weather was perfectly clear with a crispness in the air feeling of fall.

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In Muxia, the ragged Atlantic coastline reminded me of Northern California. The sea was crashing onto the rocks and the sunset was absolutely mesmerizing. I had my last “Pilgrims Meal” with some friends. The owner who apparently was also the waiter, cook and entertainer, served us some local fish, a special desert and played the accordion. It was a memorable night.

The last section of the Camino from Muxia to Finisterre is a wonderful walk along the coastline and then through forests, villages then dropping into another section of beautiful coastline. Finisterre is a bit more busy and touristic but has some of the best beaches filled with thousands of scallop shells which are the symbol of the Camino. I also had some of my favorite seafood in Finisterre. I tried razor clams which where delicious and had the best octopus (pulpo) of the trip.

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Finisterre was the finality of my journey. Tradition tells that you walk to “the end of the world” and pilgrims burn items of clothing as a sign of purification and inward revival. I did burn some clothing and had some quiet reflective time as I watched the sunset marking the end of a day and an incredible journey.