June 13th – Today’s walk will take me to within 10k of Santiago and I slow the day down even more to enjoy and experience. I leave later than normal, meet Pauline for breakfast and walk at a normal pilgrims pace. No flying pilgrim today.
This next to the last day on the path is about forests and friendship. We meet up with Kim and Sue at one of the bars where we stopped for a break them continued on together.
The dense eucalyptus forest provide a lovely scented shaded atmosphere that is different than the hamlets and farmlands that have been the norm. When the animals do appear I’m more aware. This gal separated from her herd and surprised us as she drank from the stream right next to where we walked.
We notice a dog who is drinking water and he stops lapping long enough to notice us. That’s the “Way”.
Today I reached the airport and the beginning is Santiago’s suburbs, so I leave behind the rural Camino in this final stretch. It’s been worthwhile to walk a bit extra today for a total of 17 miles so that I can reach the Cathedral tomorrow in slow motion and in time for the Pilgrim mass at 12 noon. Time itself is a journey.
I will miss these updates each day. Great writing.