Another day of writing on the beach.

Finisterre

Arrived in Fisterre nearly delirious with the immensity of the ocean, expecting to shave my body and jump into the ocean, symbolizing the end of my Camino. Instead, I found a beach where the souls of the dead are gathered, where bathing in the water means taking them with you. I walked up the hill to the lighthouse upon the farthest point of Spain at sunset, where the sun was hidden behind clouds so thick it was difficult to discern west from south without a compass. A witch looked into my eyes and told me I must go to Muxia to be reborn, and I must make my way there alone, in silence. Fisterra is where I will let my knees recover from the steep decent into the bay for three nights before making my way to the crescent moon bay where I will finally bathe in the waters of the ocean.

Two nights ago I was in the Association albergue in San Roque. Communal meals with the same hospitalero who was there two years ago when Pam, Joe, and I were there on our way to Finisterre. Still no wi-fi, so no post from there.

Brian Liu and I walked together the last 13 km to Finisterre, the end of the world, yesterday. All Evergreen servers were clogged with fall quarter registration in the afternoon,  so no post from me then. (But, yes, my fall quarter program,  “Education for Life,” overfilled, so I have something to do in September, besides start collecting Social Security.)

The whole program is together for two more nights with everyone trying to finish required writing projects, mostly trying to figure out if they learned anything from all those experiences of the past weeks. Frederrika, an earlier walking partner, is here; she has been in Finisterre for 9 or 10 days and “feels like a local” in this town of quick transience/transients. Like Santiago, this is a place where you re-meet people in your “herd,” those walking within a day or two of you. But an embrace at the end of the world often feels like your last. From here people go their own ways, no longer following those yellow arrows that brought us here.

Fisterra

I apologize for not updating my location recently. I am officially done with the Camino and currently spending these last few days at what used to be known as the end of the world, and what could now be considered paradise. Soaking it all up before I am off on my next adventure.

Tonight was spent climbing rocks on the beach at sunset and drinking wine, eating cake and playing poker with wonderful friends. These past few days have been very bittersweet. I am going to miss this.

Finisterre

Tomorrow is my last day of Camino walking. Shit.

Today was my last day of walking. Shit.

Made it to Fisterra.

Made it to Finisterre, officially walked across a country. Working on our academic statements with the class. Ocean time.

made it to Fisterra. The sea is so beautiful and I feel as if I’ve figured out something. Only six days until I’m on my way home.