Camino Day 40: to Monte del Gozo

We are just three short miles from Santiago! We can see that city from our alburgue on sunny Monte de Gozo. We will walk in at sunrise tomorrow, visit the cathedral, and go to the pilgrim's office for our compostellae-- the certificates that verify we have completed our pilgrimage.

Tonight at dinner, for the first time, the end felt real-- and sad. I had a twinge of regret that it's almost over. For weeks, the end has felt so remote, so impossible, that I longed for it-- if only to prove we could reach our goal. Now that the end is tomorrow, it is painful. I will miss the long days of walking, the fresh air, the feel of the sun and rain on my shoulders, and nature's constant symphony. I will miss the feeling of tired muscles and chuffed accomplishment at walking further than ever before. I am both ready for it to be over, and very sad to see it come to an end.

If tomorrow is the end of our pilgrimage, then the proceeding walk to Finnesterre is its epilogue. And though it feels strange to say after 40 days on the trail, I am looking forward to the walk. It will give us fifty more miles to walk with nature, to enjoy each other's company, and to savor the Camino and Spain.