Friday, June 12, 2026 ( 4.4 miles)

A delicious buffet breakfast was offered in our hotel starting at 7:00 – I was the sole participant of my group for an hour!! I guess I have FOMO (fear of missing out), also, I suspect, why I don’t nap…

We had a group “organized” tour with Maria, who was wonderfully informative and funny!  Only about a third of our group joined (the others I learned “shopped”).  It was a bit of a free form itinerary and we started in Alameda Park, with the “Two Marias” and its stunning views back to the cathedral through mature eucalyptus trees.  

Then we mostly walked the narrow streets of Old Town and gazed at awe inspiring and legend backed architecture.  

We undertook a serpentine route through the mercado publico and we basically concluded by coming through the tunnel that some pilgrim routes enter to reach “the square” to the tune of bagpipes!!  

Most napped in the afternoon which was superbly advantageous in preparation of our Sob Fest, a culmination luncheon with videos of our challenges, conquests and bonding.  

The meal was, of course, delicious – and then we were on to our shell exchange. We received a shell at the beginning of our trip with a name on it and were invited to converse, get to know and ultimately choose a gift for that person in/on our Camino.  Oh My Goodness – the offerings were so inspiring and moving that I can’t even express them in words here!! We were all sobbing at the gifts and illumination of people we had walked with, mostly finding many a hurt, sorrow, and loss that they had endured and were dealing with.  It was a heart wrenching ceremony and our bond was so solidified there’s no doubt we were family through our walk and presently in our sharing – birthing organic relationships that will forge into the future.

And then we were FREE!!?!?  You can’t even know that conundrum – it was celebratory and paralyzing – What Next!!?!  Many of us had a delightful dinner together and then it was off to numerous timeframes and versions of La La Land – early departure scheduling the next day in the mix for sure. Goodbyes are always So Difficult!!!

“Each Camino is unique, yet all are woven together by faith, perseverance, friendship, and grace.” (Mariann Aiello Trice who initiated our group). It is with joy filled hearts and memories we bid each other farewell.

Saturday, June 13, 2026 (6.4 miles) 

I left my slumber early to give more hugs to siblings Lisa and Chris, off to the airport at 6 am.  I also hailed Barbara leaving for her ritualistic sunrise walk!  Dave – who I served with on church council, and Mariann – his wife and sister to Chris and Lisa, were the last I embraced before catching my own ninety minute, scenic bus to Muxía on the Galician coast.
Muxía is a tiny, ancient fishing village tucked away on Galicia’s rugged Costa da Morte.  The stunning, mesmerizing, dramatic ocean and coastline views are alive with the briney sea fragrance and its rich, Celtic and Christian mythology. Its lore centers on the Virgin Mary arriving on a stone boat to encourage Apostle Saint James, with the surrounding sacred rocks representing the remnants of her vessel. 

I didn’t research this next phase well at all and learned that my accommodations were 2.6 miles away!  Breathtaking beauty accompanied every, trudging step yet with temperatures in the low 90’s, a full backpack and continuous uphill road walking with limited shoulder space, the tranquil, contemplative atmosphere that many find peaceful when continuing here after reaching Santiago de Compostela Cathedral was temporarily lost on me!  And that run on sentence is metaphorically my morning’s trek – HA!

“The Parador de Costa da Morte, built into a hill and designed to blend into the green Galician landscape, offers a magnificent balcony onto the end of the world and is one of the latest inclusions in the Paradores Network.  Looking out over Lourido Beach and a short distance from Cape Fisterra, the interior of the Parador is a prolongation of its extraordinary setting. The design of each room is based on the organic natural forms to be found in the Costa da Morte. Designs that are both timeless and welcoming, that transmit calm and wellbeing, and that allow you to enjoy spectacular views of the sea.”  (Parador website)

The place was a bit too modern for me yet there was no denying the outstanding location and views!  I enjoyed their infinity pool, its glass walls created with intent to merge itself with the  Atlantic Ocean.  

Later I set off for Faro de Muxía, a local lighthouse offering more breathtaking, unobstructed views of the crashing Atlantic.  I was distracted by a herd of about twenty sheep and goats and so enjoyed their juxtaposition to the coastal beach stretched before me that I ended up choosing to bask in serenity and stillness instead of More Walking!!  

I also very much enjoyed the black and white photos throughout the hotel, capturing the livelihood, landscape, history and culture of Galician fishermen, farmers, lace makers and families.

Sunday, June 14, 2026 (6.3 miles) 

I scheduled one more night in Santiago de Compostela as a respite before the next phase of my ambitious travel adventure.  I should have done laundry, instead just wandered my favorite streets and found some new ones.  It was Sunday though – poor planning on my part, and 80% of the town was closed, including the public market which I love to visit and at which to enjoy Galician seafood – no barnacles or scallops for me this year, whah!
It being Sunday didn’t stop pilgrims from flooding the catheral’s Obradoiro square though, cheering and collapsing in tribute to their feats!

As good fortune would have it, I had a delightful meet up with fellow pilgrims, Liza and Peter from London!! They arrived with their local parish trekking on the Inglés way!  We walked together in 2023 on the Way of Saint Francis (Via Francigna).  Our brief visit over coffee was Much Enjoyed before they had a final dinner with their peeps.

I concluded my evening with a dish of pulpo and Pimientos de Padrón – (octopus a peppers) two of my favorite dishes when in this neck of the world!  

What a privilege, gift and freedom to be here once again and to feel safe as a woman traveling the world, supported by my loved ones at home! My heart is full and I thank God for all the blessings!