I sit here writing this in my Hostel having completed my final day of walking while watching a wild rain/wind storm outside my window. I feel this is the perfect ending to this part of my crazy adventure.  

Today I took my time walking to Muxia while singing out loud to Mumford and Sons without a worry or a care and it was heavenly!  After receiving my certificate of completion I met a man who gives pilgrim tours of Muxia. He talked about the pilgrim history that dates back a 1000 years (just think about that for a minute).  I am not a religious person and I explained that I knew nothing of Caminos until reading my brother’s magazine article, I also mentioned burying his ashes at Cape Finisterre.  My tour guide’s eyes welled up as I was telling my story, he then gave me a hug and assured me that my journey was a calling and I was being guided by prior pilgrims!

Looking back when I read Keith’s article about his Camino I knew instantly I was supposed to do my own.  Leading up to my departure I never felt nervous, anxious, scared or excited.  Friends would ask me how I was feeling and I honestly answered “numb”.  There was a gravitational pull and I knew I had to do this, I can’t explain it.  I now truly believe this was meant to be… perhaps I am a pilgrim after all! 

Finisterre Lighthouse to Finisterre Village (6.8 miles)

I took a path less traveled to Finisterre village.  I was worried I would not be able to see anything as the day was foggy and the weather forecast showed rain all day.  I got lucky as the sun came out and I had amazing views of the coastline. I visited a “no swim” beach and It was easy to understand why swimming is banned as you could feel the energy bouncing off the ocean.  In the evening I decided to walk back to the lighthouse to say one last goodbye to Keith.  The lighthouse is famous for watching sunsets but with rain and thick fog I was the only one walking up there. I said goodbye to Keith and was surprisingly awarded an amazing sunset flanked by thick fog. I’m not sure if the Camino provided or it was a direct message from Keith, either way it made my day.

 

Finisterre to Lires (13.4 miles)

I woke up to torrential rain along with thunder and lightning but amazingly the rain stopped as I walked out the door!  I had kind of a trippy walk, first I stumbled across a man sitting outside a house offering coffee for a donation and I ended up helping unload groceries and exchanging info for English lessons.  Next I was approached by an elderly lady who came from the middle of nowhere and we ended up hugging while she insisted on sniffing my hair?  I eventually made it to Lires where I quickly checked out the beach before the rain started and then witnessing a mini tornado.., it was a weird day! 

 

Lires to Muxia (13.1 miles)

My last day of walking and I decided to take it slow.  The weather forecast predicted a major storm so I was braced for the worst but I managed to escape the rain for the most part.  Entering Muxia was surreal, I felt a huge weight lifted from my shoulders along with feeling incredibly grateful.  A local man took me on a tour and explained the history of pilgrims and Muxia along with showing me ancient hidden crosses engraved in places on the church and other old buildings, basically it was ancient graffiti.  

The big storm has rolled in, the walls of the hostel are vibrating and the power keeps going out.  Fingers crossed my bus makes it tomorrow otherwise my Camino will be extended another day.. I won’t be complaining if it is!