Almost to Santiago

Hey,

Well we are two days away from arriving in Santiago. I find myself in a bit of disbelief when I say that. How close we are getting really hit home the other day when we passed the 100 kilometer post. I can´t believe we have travelled so far. The number of pilgrims has increased substantially in the last couple of days, in part because there is a rule on the Camino that in order to earn your compostela in Santiago, certificate of completing the pilgrimage, you must walk at least the last 100 kilometers to Santiago.

The influx in the number of pilgrims has been an adjustment, but has been fun as well, as it has given us an opportunity to meet a lot of new people. I met this wonderful Irish woman, and a college professor from Chicago.

As I find myself on the edge of arriving in Santiago, I find myself excited to almost be there, as well as drawn back to a conversation I had with another pilgrim, the conversation had to do with how in life one of the scariest things can be to get what you want, because the moment we get what we want, we may suddenly realize, what is there next. So as I am about to get the thing I want, I am also a bit reluctant to walk the final 40 kilometers to Santiago, because when I arrive then I must face the question, Now what?

The easy answer is to go home and enjoy sharing my stories and pictures with everyone, but in truth it is a much bigger question. Maybe the answer awaits me in Santiago.

After we reach Santiago we are continuing onto the coastal town of Finisterre, which during medieval times was believed, as it is the western most point along the Camino, to be the end of the world. Pilgrims would travel beyond Santiago to this town and find themselves faced with the rolling tides of the ocean. So we too will finish our journey by walking there.

One more week of walking awaits me and I am as excited as ever to do it. I hope and trust that the next week will hold many adventures, stories, and life lessons, which I will enjoy sharing with you all. My hope is that I will get to post again when I have arrive in Santiago.

Peace,
Amanda

P.S.
Once again thanks for all the comments, they are really fun to read.