Wednesday, June 5, 2024

I drag my sorry butt up to the fifth floor for another included breakfast. Coffee. Note-taking. Reflecting on my day yesterday and how the feeling on the day immediately changed. The highs and lows of emotion on the Camino begin to reflect the terrain, with ascent followed by descent on the trail. I ponder the merits of reserving a room for the additional night spent in town. It has allowed me to write, prepare, and image-select for several future posts. I finish and return to the room, organizing the gear required for a few hours of non-planned wandering. I locate the “Terra Nova Pilgrim House” on my sojourn through the city, but it is closed on Wednesdays. My stay is extended an extra night. This time would better allow planning my walk to Finisterre and Muxia. I like the notion of finishing all of the writing for the Comino Frances before leaving Santiago to walk the short Camino to Finisterre and on to Muxia. I am looking for closure: for this challenge, and this creative project. Finalizing the writing before taking part in additional sections would feel more intentional somehow. I locate a cozy corner under an umbrella and work from 11:00–2:00 until the laptop battery drains. These few hours on a patio produce good work, and I feel good about the decision to spend my time in this way. I later see Paul and we spend time together, scouting the direction from which the Camino leaves the city westward. I buy groceries for tomorrow to make a large and healthy sandwich. The kitchen in the hostel is amazing; large, and open, with lots of windows providing natural light. Afterwards, I remain in the kitchen, pulling up a chair to work on the laptop. As the afternoon darkens I head out, venturing out for a pint. On the way, I spot another stationery store. This one sells high-end pens, pencils, and notebooks. I found a small mechanical pencil that would be perfect for travel. I buy it along with some lead replacements. I receive a message from Peter. He and Kyosuke arrived at Finisterre, with photos of the two standing at the “0 km” marker. Such fun! I congratulate them both. I miss them! Return to the hostel by 9:30 to prepare the pack for returning to the trail toward Finisterre.

Today’s distance walked: — km    |    Total distance walked: 916.23 km

“The most honest actions and interactions are brought in by speaking to people.” — Styne