The end of the world

So this is what I carried on my Camino.  It cost me less than a Euro at the Cathedral in Porto.  I did not take a picture 'empty'. 

But here is what it looked like at the end. A stamp for each night and sometimes breakfast and/or lunch and usually dinner.

Once it's really full you get one of these...

Well you have walk at least the last 100 km to Santiago!

Now many people walk on to Fisterre, about 3 or 4 days.  I had planned to originally, but as you may have gathered my pace slowed.  So when I arrived in Santago.... Well the next day- today I took a bus there. And back. 

I was up late last night in my enthusiasm of reaching Santiago.  Then the first day that I do not walk I get up early.  I am out the door looking for coffee at 0740 am!

I planned not to bring the rain pants.  I am wishing I put things in plastic inside my little day pack.  It is dark, raining and everyone is wearing black, carrying umbrellas and off to work and school. 

I found coffee and espresso across the street.  Then I walked to the bus station. 

It was really tough... There were no arrows showing me where to go!  I was free.  I could walk anywhere.... I had a map.  I made it to the bus station by 0830 hrs. 

Now other than my two minutes in a car back to the hotel in Arcade for stamps... It had been two weeks since I was in a moving vehicle.  And to break this I was now about to take a 3 hr bus trip on a double decker bus, on really windy roads!

So the following are window pictures. The windows were tinted... I am dizzy just looking at them again.  And like this one... Sometime a pole or a railing is in the way...

Notice the bottom of these buildings?

Interesting trees. Cut back forever or will they grow again?

And then the ocean appears!

Low tide though..

There were cats walking along stone walls, dogs sitting on roofs, and there were sheep.... But when you are moving so fast in a bus... You just can't stop and look at these things.

Something must have been running... All the boats were out!

These were platforms I think...

Nice beaches!

On the bus with me are three pilgrims that know each other from the Camino Frances.  A woman named Andrea who pushed a bike (she rode it a bit too), and a couple Deanna and Tony from Quesnel, BC!

Also on the bus is an annoying man talking on his cell phone loud.  At least it's in Spanish so I do not understand.

The bus is kinda the milk run. There are two 'stops', (3 on the way back) but people get on and off all along the way.

The rain did stop once I got to the bus station.. So an evil sky for pictures, but not so bad!

Finally we arrive!  We head for another coffee and bathrooms. I took the picture so I would have a map with me too.  

Next stop a grocery store to pick up stuff for lunch for when we reach the end of the world as they knew it...

This is Andrea, who actually had met Anne and Corrine at an albergue in Santiago.  She was not too positve with her recount of the meeting... Snoring and opening windows for fresh air without thought that others might be cold were mentioned. 

I'm with you girls.. I sat downwind...

I took longer in the store because I forgot to take a number at the deli counter and people in front were buying one of everything....

Eventually off to the lighthouse... Faro 

Not a bad view from the garden.

I just followed the road... But there were markers!

Someone gave him rubber gloves ...

Hmmm what are those....?

Still not sure what these are?

Almost there

What if the machine gave me a can, should I still throw it?

And here we have the 0.0 marker.

Ya I know my hand in in the picture... But it is the only one I took of the spot where people burn their clothes.  I did not.

See I am fully dressed.

It's the end of the world!

Just one more step....

Okay lunch time. Box of wine for less than 2€,  bread, cheese, salami, oranges, chocolate!

Here is Tony and Deanna.  Nice folks.

Ya gotta love my hat though!

So Tony is leaving behind a hat and some underwear that were wrecked when they had someone wash them for them along The Way. 

He is not supposed to do that.

Here is the crazy boot man who collects stuff left behind.

More touristy stuff...

And back down we go...

Oh ...there we are...

Three hours later we finally get back to Santiago and say out goodbyes.

I walk back toward my hotel and then decide if I go in, I might not come out...

( the night before, I never went out again and skipped dinner).  So despite lessons learned I decide to eat before shower. 

I turn toward the old town and wander about.  I should add that there are oodles of people out.  Even on my walk from the bus station.  Locals and tourists.  I buy some roasted chestnuts (why do I never see these in Canada?)... I finally decide to have dinner with a Viking. 

Omelette, chicken cutlet, and I decide to treat myself to flan. 

I don't care that it's really late now as I update this.  I watched 'Cider House Rules' in Spanish.  

I am sleeping in late tomorrow!! 

Going to mass as well...