The one thing we feared the most on the Camino was rain - rain produces mud - rain makes smooth rocks slippery - rain makes clothing damp and sticky - rain is not a trekker's friend. This morning - on our final day of walking the last 20 kilometers - we got rain. On the one hand - that did not make us happy - on the other - we were finally able to justify hauling rain gear with us for the entire Camino. At one point I was able to make Arlene realize how much lighter her back pack felt since we were wearing our rain jackets and pants rater than hauling them on our backs. Although we had to cope with rain this day - we made very good time and were standing at the cathedral in Santiago by 3:30 PM in the afternoon. Neither of us - 8 years later - believes that we have actually done this - this was the most adventurous thing that we have ever attempted - just living in a foreign country as long as we did - has been an amazing experience. The adventure does not end there as we still had to visit Finestre - aka the end of the world - before we returned home. When we got to the Cathedral - we were going to get our Compostelas but noticed a security sign stating we should not bring our backpacks- so we decided to check into our hotel room first. After showering and cleaning up we returned to the cathedral to get our Compostelas - a procedure that took over an hour as the line was fairly long. On the Camino - we learned patience - Spain does not move quickly - the Spanish people do not move quickly - there is more to life than moving quickly - everything is to be savored and enjoyed. In Lent we learn patience - hopefully a lesson well learned. In Holy Week we pray that God rain His love upon us daily as we walk towards Easter. Lord - what do you ask of me this day?
Ancient Camino Marker
Arlene frowning at the trail - rocks & tree stumps no fun
Rocks - small boulders - daily challenge - yes
We accept these challenges - life is full of them - walk around & continue
Chilly morning & light rain - blue raincoat for our packs
Orange creek - what's going on here? Always open to surrises
Raining harder - time for torrent jack & rain pants - changing in tunnel
Ninja Dale - rain gear & blue pack covers
This was our daily lunch Coke + lemon slice and bocadilla - ham & cheese sandwich shared
Man does not live on bread alone - ham - cheese - Coke - prayer also needed
Rain stopped - removed hot sweaty rain pants
This sign reminded me of my deacon brother in San Marcos, CA - RIP Deacon Jerry
Dirt changes to blacktop & wind
The hills never go away
More shells in the pavement
Santiago welcome monument
Santiago, Spain
Arrived! Back doors to Cathedral
Cathedral Square
Welcome to the pilgrimage office
This office hands out certificates of completion - The Compostela
to approximately 250,000 pilgrims yearly - not all qualify
Waiting to get their Compostela
More pilgrims waiting
And still more - about 100 people the day we waited
Technically - this ended the pilgrimage - as far as the walking portion - more to come to make this a true spiritual experience. Just because we walk inside a church does not make us a Christian anymore than walking inside a garage does not make us a truck or car. It takes more than that - there has to be a change inside - our hearts - minds. Walking through Lent only proves we did the work - participating in the Triduum - celebrating at Easter makes the difference. Our journey - continues.
Deacon Dale
