Monday we journeyed to Finisterre...by bus! It was a fitting end to the journey to walk to the lighthouse at the "end of the world".
And since then I have been "on the way home". I took two trains from Santiago back to Paris. The first, daytime, didn't take the same path as the Camino, but it traversed the same landscapes. First the lush green of hilly Galicia, then the flat more barren expanses of the Meseta, much drier than when we walked there a few weeks earlier. Lastly the climb up towards the edges of the Pyrenees, though this time it was often through tunnels when the going got steeper! I reached Hendaye after nearly 12 hours in the train, then slept in a couchette overnight to Paris.
My first job getting back to Paris was to visit Singapore Airlines to try and find an earlier flight home. I was very impressed by their service, but the flights out of Paris were very full and I remained wait-listed Thursday evening... I rested two days with ny friend at Bonnelles, a peaceful place outside of Paris, then headed to CDG to try and get a flight on stand-by. Success! And now I am at Singapore for 12 hours awaiting my onward flight to NZ. I will be tired at the end of all this, but eventually I will be home!!!
Margaret,
ReplyDeleteWelcome to our hometown Singapore, lots to do in Changi, and plenty free internet there. We look forward to hearing more of your camino, it is a balmy day 16 degree in sunny Christchurch, our Nebraska World Youth Day youths are enjoying the break here before they leave on Monday.
Grandpa Joe
Thanks Grandpa Joe. I am a little tired to appreciate the airport as I never slept at all on last night's plane... but I have just discovered a rest area with long seats to stretch out on. I have an eye mask and am heading there now!
ReplyDeletethe flights are full becasue the Pope is here!
ReplyDeleteI know simon..... I saw quite a few obvious pilgrim groups and priests etc. But the flights are also full because the annual summer exodus out of Paris is in full swing. But hey, I managed to get out anyhow! And now I am going to go shopping to buy some new clothes for my trimmer body after all that walking!
ReplyDeleteSafe landing Margaret, we have just finished hosting WYD pilgrims from Nebraska in Christchurch. I hope you will be able to go to the first ever Camino de Compostela meeting in Hamilton on July 26th. I sent you details in a blog, they are looking for returnees to speak at the meeting and you, with your new clothes, would be a breath of fresh air.
ReplyDeleteGrandpa Joe
Thank you Grandpa Joe. Yes, I did get your info about the Hamilton meeting, and also Kay sent details. But Hamilton is a long way from here and not really in my plans for the month. I am very pleased to be at home, though my poor body is totally confused at this stage!!! (Not only did I suddenly cease walking 20km a day after nearly three months of it, but I have also inflicted jetlag upon it.) I am certain to inflict many tales of the Chemin/Camino on those closer to home in the coming month though!
ReplyDeleteWell done Maggie! You walked the walk and, through your blog, talked the talk! I have enjoyed walking with you on el camino and look forward to your next adventure!
ReplyDeleteRest when you get home.
Big pilgrim hug,
Sil
Thanks sil, I have appreciated your comments along the way. I have had two sleeps at home now and am starting to feel a little bit less jetlagged and tired! I don't start work again for some weeks so have plenty of time for a good rest. Now it is time to bore all those at home with some of my photos. And later I will put some up online...
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