El Camino: July 2016

At the end of the pilgrimage, a proper pilgrim then goes to Finisterre, the end of the earth in ancient times. This is more of a pagan ritual begun by the Romans. At Finisterre, the pilgrim should leave something. Many leave their boots. Pilgrims have a love/hate relationship with their boots. Others burn clothes. Some bath in the Atlantic. I left a shell from Narragansett Bay.

Boots and clothes at Finisterre

My offering

There are actually two ends of the earth...the Hollywood one from "The Way" and the actual one. The Hollywood one is much more dramatic. It should be the end of the earth. Pictures are below

My pilgrimage is over. Airport security confiscated my walking sticks and I am heading home. It was indeed a buen Camino.

After 300 miles and three weeks of walking, I'm here!

It's thrilling and sad at the same time.

The last day of walking the Camino was filled with pilgrims. Many didn't carry packs but had a taxi or van transport them. Many were smoking, on their cellphones, or texting as they walked. A very different crowd than what I have been used to. Mona's legs were sore so she decided not to do the last day and I was on my own.

Santiago is a very joyful place. There is music in the streets. Pilgrims are laughing and hugging their Camino friends. People are eating, drinking, and talking. Even the pilgrim mass was inspiring. The priest talked about how everyone should continue their Camino in life and fight injustice and poverty. The mass ended with the monks swinging a giant incense burner over the crowd. This dates back to the middle ages when the pilgrims probably smelled pretty bad. Now it is just a symbolic purification.

So my days as a pilgrim are over. Sunday we will perform one more symbolic act and then it is to Barcelona and then home.

Buen Camino!!