With a 2 day bus strike going on, we hired a cab to take us to Santiago, riding in Ramon’s Mercedes with Rick, Nigel and Bernie is far better than the bus and it takes 1/2 the time. Pickup time is 1300.
Rick hasn’t been to the Faro so after a quick breakfast, we’re off to the top hoping to beat the rain which is forecast at near 100% later in the day.
We’d discussed with N&B walking up together and we found them having breakfast. Rick’s pace is slower than mine or theirs so we decided we’d meet at the top as we had a limited amount of time.
At the Zero KM marker, we were taking pictures and we met Rene from Canada who knew our Canadians, I’m constantly amazed by the web of aquainted people. While we were talking, Katja showed up. We all talked for a few minutes when N&B joined us, in their packs.
Short on time, we headed to the lighthouse so Rick could enjoy the view east towards both home and the end of the World. Or, maybe, east towards the rapidly approaching end of the Camino!
There is a frowned upon tradition of burning articles of clothing, socks are popular and many people still do it, we did not. As I walked down the cliff, I had an overwhelming feeling that needed to leave something there, I don’t know why.
Below me, someone had stuck their wood staff in a crack in the rock and I knew instantly that I needed to tie my bandana on that staff. Why it turned into an emotional moment, I don’t know. It was and still is a very satisfying decision. I took some pictures and others took pictures of me doing it, one said they knew it would be a memorable event.
Why a $4 bandana tied on an abandoned walking stick at the end of the World meant so much to me, I just can’t explain.
No time to linger, we need to get back to the hotel, clean up, check out and back to Santiago. Just above town, it started to rain. Below town, it started to rain hard. My Keens were soaked, on this final day on my Camino, it’s like a ritual cleansing of 32 days of Camino dust from my boots. Like the Camino is telling me, you’re done.
Almost no rain of any significance for a month which I’m thankful for because walking in wet boots and socks sucks. It’s supposed to rain and be cool/cold for the remainder of my stay in Spain. It is time to go home.