There is something special about Finisterre. Every time I am in Galicia, it is one of the places I feel compelled to go and spend time in. We usually stay in a room overlooking the ocean of one of our favorite bar/cafes. The town is always lively and festive; I feel the same when I am here.
Today, when we walked in, it marked the completion of our walk with our friends. Six couples started this walk along the French way, and five couples completed it, with one couple opting to travel to Barcelona instead. It was a lovely moment.
And, while Santiago was, as always, breathtaking and exciting, being in Finisterre touched my heart on this trip.
There were moments along the way that I was not sure we would make it. The weather was unseasonably warm, we had a few issues, and with so many people on the trail, I longed to go home and come back another time. I am thankful I persevered, and we could walk to what was once known as the world’s end.
It was a beautiful day for our last day of walking. There is something about being near the ocean that both soothes and invigorates me. The weather was stellar, and as I looked over the sea, I could see why it would look like it was the end of the world so long ago. It was a lovely reward for weeks of hiking.
While I was counting my blessings and thankful that we had made it, a man and his father rode up to the 0 km marker. They had done the Camino on their bicycles from Belgium and had begun about the same time we had started ours. After he took our picture, I offered to take theirs. They hugged each other and smiled, and I could see that this had been a significant time for the both of them.
A few moments later, I glanced their way, and as I walked over to congratulate them, they began to weep. They held each other and just cried. Something about their moment of deep bonding and the acknowledgment of their shared accomplishment overwhelmed me, and I began to weep. Through my tears, I began to think of my travels. Instead of relief that we had made it, I realized that I, too, had been a part of something beautiful. Sharing in the depth of their joy reminded me of my own. Tom and I had begun our travels at about the same time, and although slightly different, we shared the experience of something that has always been profoundly beautiful and meaningful to us.
The only words I could think to say to the father and his son were the words Tom and I speak to each other when we complete our walk…It is a good thing you have done, pilgrim.
I am thankful for this time of connection. I am grateful to have the opportunity to share something meaningful with those I love.
May your road always be good. You are loved.
Tom and Nancy’s Journeys 