Monday, October 12, 2015. Tomorrow Laurie D leaves for Finisterre and Muxia, and will return to Santiago de Compostela in a bit less than a week. The other Laurie and Salvatore left last night on a train to Barcelona, and then a flight back to Minneapolis. Ria will return to Germany today by a series of trains, and I get up early enough to have breakfast with her and walk her to the train station. We’ve had a great trip, together and separately, and we agree that our plan worked out perfectly . . . spontaneously allowing us a lot of time together in the evenings, solo walking time during the day, and a couple of stretches in which we were in completely different places. These latter times gave us each an opportunity to meet new people, knowing we would have three nights in Santiago at the Seminario Mayor before we each end our Camino journey.
Though I was to stay in Santiago until Thursday the 15th, I changed my flight to Milan airport to tomorrow, added two days to my Air BnB arrangements in Gallarate, near the airport, and I will fly out tomorrow afternoon. Neil and my friends Tim and Pat will join me on Friday, for 11 days in Italy. I’ve done all I can do in Santiago, all I want to do (but for another foot massage from the incredible Carmen), but since today is a national holiday, her office is closed.
Ah, such a treat after the Camino!
So I’m sorting out my stuff, packing differently, more efficiently, perhaps, and will head for the airport tomorrow late morning.
I’ll leave this post with some of the images I wanted to include but didn’t, and some from my time in Santiago this year. And I am writing some post-Camino musings but haven’t completed them yet. Actually, I will probably never complete them, but will post them here soon.
This is an elevation drawing of Day 4 on the Camino . . . from Zumaia to Deba. Nice and easy, yes?
And here are some photos from my time at the Seminario Mayor:
The Garden at the Seminario, surrounded by ancient stone walls
The view out my bedroom window at the Seminario
Not my hotel . . . the Parador
A piece of art I couldn’t even be tempted to buy, because of the three-day holiday, when many shops were closed . . . but what a piece to remind me of the “Looking Glass” aspects of the Camino . . .
A bit that came to me via Facebook last week. A good lesson as I return from the Camino . . .
Lots more to process. I will return to this site . . . (and what would we do without ellipses?)
Woodswoman Walking 
Congratulations
I have so enjoyed reading about both your caminos from the co fort of my Fort Collins home! It has given me a real yearning to make the journey myself, which I fear is not in my cards due to bursitis. Thanks for taking me along vicariously.
You are very welcome, Ellen. I will write about this time in Italy as well, but will direct people to another website, since I’m running out of room for photos on this site, and I have another one for my regular travels abroad. I’m happy you have been able to live vicariously through this site. We each have those desires or dreams that aren’t likely for us, for one reason or another, and reading someone else’s experience can be so fulfilling. I do that with other topics, other journeys. Take care.
Thank you for sharing your trip, so honestly and sincerely. I’ve enjoyed my vicarious camino with you. I will look forward to our trip to Italy!
Thank you for sharing so much. Buon Camino wherever you go!
I had so hoped to see you and meet you on the trail…I followed you writings and we were always in the same place—but never met up…and arrived into Santiago the SAME day…and Yes Monday being a holiday was a loss for us ….Congratulations and keep blogging..I so enjoyed it–
All the Best
I’m not sure how that happened, but for leaving too much to synchronicity and not as much to planning a place to meet! Strange to think about it, but perhaps another Camino.