One Day Away

Well, I arrived in Arca Do Pino about half an hour ago; the albergue doesn´t open for about 20 minutes, and there was an internet connection available at the grocery across the street. Arca is the last pilgrim hostel before Santiago--19 km, or about 12 miles, or about 5 to 6 hours away.

Last night, those of us in the Pension, about 14 pilgrims, gathered around the TV in the lobby to watch the news. They showed radar of the hurricane coming ashore. The actual number of injured has been lowered to about 50, but the damage is fairly extensive. While we watched, thunder rolled across the valley and heavy rain still pelted the area. Fortunately, this morning at about 7:00, the rain subsided to just a pleasant patter, and by 10:00 I was walking in sunlight. Have I mentioned that I love Galicia? It´s late September, and the countryside looks like East Texas or the piney woods--down around Huntsville--in the spring (not that I´ve done a lot of time in Huntsville, you understand). The walk today was bittersweet; it´s difficult to figure out if I´m looking forward to seeing Santiago or if I´d like the walk to go on another week or two. It´ll take a while to assess all that I´ve seen and learned. Walking has certainly placed the region within my intimate understanding, and it has given me a good deal of opportunity for contemplation. I suppose that it´s usual to say that I can´t believe that I´ve done this. But don´t worry--there´s not an ounce of pride in that statement. Waiting outside the albergue are three men who began their Camino on June 24. They left their town in the Netherlands and have walked every step of the way. The truth is that I feel greatly humbled by both distance and all that I´ve seen.

Tomorrow, I´ll climb to the top of Monte do Gozo--the Mountain of Joy--about 5 km outside of Santiago. Its western slope affords the pilgrim a first glimpse of the city and its cathedral. I´ll let you know how that feels. I suppose for the last time I´ll sign my entry, ¡Buen Camino!