Saturday, June 8, 2024

I believe that I slept well, given last night’s midnight bedtime. I descend to the kitchen by 6:30 am to pack the unorganized disaster that is my pack. I’m off to a grand start: the laundry is damp; none of my devices or cameras are fully charged; all of my disorganized gear lay in a heaped, disordered mess. I descend to the common kitchen to get a headstart on this before the group sets out into the morning. A light rain falls, but it is not worth worrying about. I spend the day walking and thinking ahead. What is beyond Finisterra and Muxia? Will I walk the Camino del Norte backward along the northern coast of Spain to Biarritz—the city into which I flew to begin this adventure? Walking into Finisterra, we are greeted upon entry downtown by the group of Italians we’ve been leapfrogging all along this route for 36 days. They have occupied a local bar, the mighty Federico seated outside in the sunshine. I enjoy these encounters so much!

We check in, obtain our Finisterre Camino certificates, and leave the packs in the albergue. We then head out in search of the beaches surrounding the town. Claudio leaves on a bus, and we see him off. Dinner is depressing. People are sad at those leaving this experience. I don’t understand it, but I keep it to myself. I am more interested in this life by enjoying every precious minute, not sulking or crying because I’m not getting my way. I stay with my experience of those I enjoy most as fully as possible until it ends. Then, I let it go. I let them go. I’m not selfish with this. And he does. He returns to his former life, as expected. The usual chores are done, and another day of video and images is saved for this creative project. A good day!

Today’s distance walked: 36.5 km    |    Total distance walked: 1053.93 km