PHOTOS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED.....
It's a 5 day walk to Finisterre from Santiago or a 2 hour bus ride. We chose the bus ride! After we found our Hostal, checked in and got settled in, we headed out to explore this beautiful seaside town. Lots of bars and restaurants to choose from, that's for sure. After lunch, we headed out to find our way up to the lighthouse.
The lighthouse at Finisterre is the end of a pilgrim's walk...one can go no further West. The walk is roughly 7k, I guess, round trip and very easy. It's a steady, but gentle ascent. The downside is, those who choose to walk, do so on a road. Still, on a sunny, warm day with a cool breeze, it's pleasant. Just be watchful....
There is another monument to pilgrims alongside the road, but people are climbing all over it for photos...so I walk on by. I see the lighthouse in the distance; we are about halfway there. What a beautiful day to come to the end of our walk.
We find where pilgrims in the past have burned clothing, shoes, bags...anything to represent their journey's end. Dagnabit! I left my shredded shoes in Santiago. I think I'll take them to the Coast in Oregon when I go next week with my family. We'll have a "Burn Grandma's Shoes" ceremony.
There is a tall "pole" near the lighthouse and a sign posted on it says that hanging articles of clothing from pole is prohibited. Maybe that's where pilgrims hang their disgustingly dirty socks...I've got a couple pair of those. Burning them would be better
Then there's the final way marker...the one with ..00,0k on it. There's joy mixed with sadness that it's over...the walk that is. Memories crowd each other as they flash through one's mind. Many, many of us know we won't be back this way again.
Our walk is done...400 miles. Our Camino and it's wisdom and lessons will go on and learned if we are willing and wise enough to listen.
Buen Camino
