I did the camino ingles which is 118 kms, you cannot see it here so lets zoom in shall we:
The whole excursion took about 5 days and the point is to open your mind and to take time to actually think about your lifes accomplishments or what you would like to change in your life. But in order to achieve the compostela (which is like a pardon for your sins from the catholic church) you had to walk 100 kms. Ferrol to Santiago is 118 and then A Coruña is only 70-something. So I started in Ferrol, if I was gonna do the camino I was gonna do it big!As you can see I was in Galicia the whole time, which is a beautiful and friendly part of Spain. There were many farms and forests that reminded me of back home.
Day 1: 14 de abril: Ferrol- Neda (12 kms)
The camino ingles got its name because many English people took this route in the 12th century, and they took this one because there are two ports one in a Coruña and the other in Ferrol. (I wonder if any of my ancestors did this) But anywho when Spain was at war with Portugal for their territory, many of the English warriors that went to help Spain did the camino to have spiritual guidance during the war. So while I walked this path I was pretty much right next to the ocean the entire time. This day I did only a little because my flight was late and I actually arrived in a Coruña so I had to take a bus to Ferrol and pretty much back track. I started around 4 pm and made it to Neda at 8ish. I met a nice older brother and sister who said I was a funny crazy american for doing this alone and helped me find my hostel. They even gave me their number in case I needed anything, which I thought was really sweet. (:
Day 2: 15 de abril: Neda- Mino (23 kms)
I started off my morning with an eager start to walk a lot more and to see my second big town in Galicia. This time was more forests and more of the highway. But I stopped in a town called Pontedeume which appears really cute, its right next to the ocean. I even stopped to eat at a little cafe owned by a family that argued a lot, but it was funny. Then as soon as I left it I hated it, it was all mountains afterwards. By the time I made it to the top I was drenched in sweat. But I continued on until I met some boys from Madrid who told me their life story and we all stopped in the albergues in Mino for the night.
Day 3: 16 de abril: Mino- Bruma (36 kms)
This was the big day. I left and walked with Mercedes and Francisco (an old, very cute couple doing the camino) who told me about how they did the camino frances and their life. It was so cute I wanna come back when Im old and do the camino with John. But eventually I lost them because I was a little bit faster. Today was a lot more mountains... I really should have practiced going up hills. But I made it to Betanzos where there was a crazy street market going on and I bought delicious churros. More mountains continued and after a while I even felt sick so I had to rest in the grass for a while, long enough for the old couple to catch up with me! When I finally made it to Bruma I collapsed in relief (:
Day 4: 17 de abril...
So you know how I said I collapsed in relief? Yeah I did not wake up until 5 pm this day. My alarm went off and everything, nothing woke me up. I was so shocked. The lady who ran the hostel (who looked like Roseanne) thought I died, but she was really nice and gave me free food. So I decided to rest for this day.. I mean it was Sunday.. a day of rest.
Day 5: 18 de abril: Bruma- Santiago de Compostela (48 kms!!)
I woke up ready to go ready to end my day where I have been trying to get to! Though I had blisters on my feet I still treked onward. In a matter of no time I made it to Sigueiro. Which was a very rude town, they were all closing early even though it was a monday. So I quickly got out of there and headed to my final destination: Santiago. I had only 16 kms left... and I wanted to die. First of all this path was not the prettiest and second when you have already walked 102 kms you dont want to walk anymore! When I finally hit the town I searched for the Cathedral but I couldnt see it. At one point I made it to a danky, miniscual Cathedral and sat down thinking this cant be it. So I marched up some stairs and there it was glowing right in front of me: El gran catedral de Santiago de Compostela. I probably stared at it for a good 20 minutes before I finally asked a lady where the albergues was. Even though she had like 10 kids with her she still took me to the doors of the albergues. I fell asleep that night well rested, proud of how far I had made it.
Day 6: 19 de abril: In Santiago de Compostela
Today was very relaxed. Though my blister was pulsating I went and got my compostela.Then I toured the inside of the church and called it a day, ready for my bed back in Sevilla. When I got to the airport I made an italian friend who was studying in Galicia, since I know a little italian and she knows a little english we spoke in Spanish. I finally got back home at 8 pm, happy with my life changing camino trip.
So everyone says that the camino de Santiago changes you in some way. Though I will not go into detail on the internet of my changes I will say that I thought about my life. I thought about everyone in it whom I love and whom I've had problems with. I realized that I am blessed, that the small things that interfere in my life dont matter in the big scheme of it all. Why dwell on things you cannot change? Why torment yourself when you know something is never going to happen? Life is only what you make it. So I am going to make the best out of everything and not worry what others have to say about it. I want a family. I want to help people. I want a house with a bunch of land so I can grow sunflowers, and veggies and let all of my family and friends come over with their families. Thats really all I need in my life to keep me going, my friends and family who have supported me no matter what my crazy choices may have been. So I want to give back to those who have given me so much.(: Thats pretty much what I thought about..
Gracias y besos
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