Walking to the End of the World

Santiago de Compostela to Muxia and Fisterra (spelled more than one way)

Santiago in the distance on the first day of the walk

After staying in Santiago two days and realizing our plane doesn't leave for awhile, we decided to continue to walk another 115  kilometers or so.

Back when the world was thought to be flat, the Druids and then the Romans understood that the Camino ended at the ocean, or to them, the end of the world.

Honestly the first day of walking felt like the world would end. 17 kilometers and nearly every step was up

It was more arduos than anything that I had done in the past two months.

I kept walking because of the incredible beauty. Here are pictures from one day out of Muxia

I took this picture because it was such an unusually large rock

What I had no idea until I walked on a bit and turned around, is that there was a little pupper upper on top! Still not sure how he got up there!

Me choosing Muxia

Here is where the road splits and you choose between walking to Muxia or Fisterra first. Originally I had planned to walk to Fisterra but after chatting with a Dutch woman on the road she helped to decide that Muxia is less chosen and more peaceful, and you know me, peace is the way!

Although this walk is represented by the same people I have met everywhere walking, there is also a uniqueness in those who walk to Muxia and Fisterra.

Detty readying for another day of walking

Many have walked multiple Caminos. A friend I've met along the way, Detty from the Netherlands,  has walked the Norte, Le Puey, Frances, Portuguese,  the Fisherman's, an unofficial Camino in Portugal and this is her second time walking to Muxia

Today at breakfast she told me that when she was walking the Norte she came across a couple of wolves early in the morning. As she realized that they were not dogs she said she felt that it was a natural instinct to freeze, which she immediately did and they passed as if they didn't notice her. When she got to the next town she confirmed with the café owner, "Oh, yes we do have many wolves here."

Detty always walks alone and she shared she is never afraid because there are always people around to help you when needed. This is true.

This has been the most stunning as well as the most taxing walk so far. So much uphill walking.

At 0932 this morning I heard a sharp crack in the woods. I looked up to see two deer, one with a large antler rack, lopping through the woods a few feet from me. Then, they were gone in a flash.  There was a man just a few feet behind me and he asked what I had seen and when I told him he smiled and said "lucky." Even though he was right behind me, he hadn't seen them. 

The first sight of the small town of Muxia which sits on                                         the Atlantic Ocean

Then a walk to Fisterra, 28 km away

and a bus back to Santiago, where you can collect pieces of paper for the walks completed. The Portuguese Central, Muxia, Fisterra, and the Frances. This trip, about 851 km of walking

Tomorrow I get on a big jet plane and fly home to 

Home Sweet Home

Stop Sign Wisdom

PS

I started this blog saying that Mando would be out of water, too, because he gave me his. On the way to the Madrid airport this morning there was one coffee left because I drank mine yesterday and, true to form, he gave me his.

Again, I love you and hope to see you soon!