October 12,2014 Sunday

This is Maiko, my Japanese Camino daughter I first met in SJPP, FRANCE. I am so happy to see her at the bus station. She will still be traveling for 4 months, Spain, Portugal, South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia & Arabic countries. I told her Togo to the USA & can stay with me.

Spirituality in the Camino October 11, 2014 Saturday

It was said the Camino has 3 parts: first, the physical as the body walks everyday & gets used to carry the pack & walking 9-10 hours/ day. Secondly, the emotional aspect of the Camino & thirdly, the Spiritual aspect.
I am not a very religious person, as a matter of fact, I am a lapsed Catholic. One of the reasons I wanted to do the Camino was to get back into the blessings of God. My Mother in her example, showed us to be a good Catholic, go to Church, etc, etc. She was a devotee of the MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP & I became one too. Every Wednesday, she & my Father would meet at a designated spot in Quiapo Church & with me as a tag along, would go to Baclaran for the novena.
Until now, I always carried the novena booklet of the Mother of Perpetual Help. I got lost somewhere & even though I did not go to Church, my belief in God never wavered. I made sure my grandchildren were baptized. All the time that I was walking alone, I had many conversations with God, & I cried a lot because I realized my mistake. There were so many instances that I know God was walking with me & listening to my prayers. I carried my backpack, IPad & food bag the whole time ( many sent their packs ahead of them) because I thought that this way I am carrying the weight of my sins that I hoped will be forgiven when I reach Santiago. I was comparing it to when God carried the cross of our sins. I hope I was not being blasphemous making such a comparison. When I developed blisters, I compared that to HIS wounds so I totally accepted the pain. Every time I was not sure about the trail, HE would send another pilgrim from nowhere to help me, & because he walked ever so fast, he would be gone just as fast. My meeting Jose in Finnestera was another example of HIS HELP. Why of all the people walking toward the Lighthouse would he stop & motion to me to come over? He gave Young & I a memorable view of the town of Finnestera & beyond. Later, he told us to go to the Lighthouse & see the 0.00 km. marker & burn my offering. He said maybe he'll come back. And he did to give us a lift back to town. Now, I wouldn't assume he did this because of my good looks. You have seen my pictures, I looked like a tired, disheveled pilgrim. Don't you think that was God in disguise as Jose? Another miracle as far as I am concerned. God knows I love beauty, nature, scenery, faces of people & travel. I have always admired the beauty of each country knowing HE
Created this wonderful World. So HE gave me a real good look at Finnestera. I feel like a weight had been lifted from me. I am at peace with God & myself. The Camino did it.
Thank you, St. James.

Sent from my iPad

October 11,2014 Saturday Back again in Santiago de Compostela

I left Finnestera with a heavy heart because it meant the end of my Camino. It is always a sad thing when something good ends. It was raining when I left because Finnestera was sad to see me go. I took the bus which left at 11:45 AM & takes 3 1/2 hours to reach S.d Compostela. It would have been a beautiful coastal bus ride as it took the Costa da Morte route. Anyhow, I tried to take some pictures. First, my right leg that I had up on top of my stick so it will help my foot be better since I do not have to walk far.

October 10, 2014 At the Ligthhouse in Finnestera

I had to do my own graffiti, it felt good.

October10, 2014 Friday At the Lighthouse in Finnestera

The lighthouse to help sailors navigate the rocky coast of Finnestera

October 10, 2014 Friday Finnestera, The End of the World, The End of my Camino

I wanted to end my Camino at Finnestera which is the End of the World in the old days.
FINI, NO MORE WALKING FOR 9-11 Hrs. Per day, 19 -21 miles which is what I had to do to reach Muxia & Finnestera. I was able to get the Muxiana & Finnesterana certificates but had to make sure I walked the whole way by getting stamps/cello in certain towns, 2 are required. The last 2 days of walking was the hardest because of the distance. Anyhow, I finally walked the 500 miles ending here in Finnestera. I have to say today has been quite an experience. Young Ae Shin from South Korea & I were walking towards the Lighthouse. A car stopped & the driver motioned for us to come & he said he'll give us a ride to the Lighthouse. Maybe having walked 19-21 miles the last 2 days in the rain, the top of my right foot started to hurt after checking in at the Albergue to get our certificate, so I was a bit limping. At any other time I would NEVER hitch a ride but there was only this one road & Young was with me. His name is Jose & his Mother is 95 years old. He is only 58, Young is 61 & moi, is 70. Anyhow, he took us further up the mountain & what a great view of the whole town of Finnestera & beyond, Muxia. He said he goes there everyday to just relax & smoke his cigarette. He showed us the 2 Rocking Rocks. Unbelievable that I could make this 2 huge rocks move. Here's the video.

October 10,2014 Friday On the way to Finnestera

There were 3 goats but he must be the mail with a nice set of horns