Maybe to extend the experience of find some finality, I have decided to ride out to Finisterre (end of the earth), about 50 miles to ocean. Almost everyone who adds this to the Camino, says that it is worth doing.
I had my bike in the shop again today; poor bike that has been through so much... Anyway, another new rear brake rotor and many other things that can wait to be replaced until I get home, it's ready to go again. It will be an all day ride and we'll see how my body does, but the forecast is for good weather the rest of the week.
I also decided to cancel my reservations at the hotel where I'm at in Santiago; the five star Paradores. While it's luxurious, it a bit too over the top stuffy for me. I booked at this really cute boutique hotel called San Miguel just a few blocks from the cathedral on a quiet side street. Looks like I'm more of a three star guy.
I found myself in an open air market today where they had fresh produce, meats and seafood. I realized how tired I am of eating in bars and cafe's. I really miss cooking fresh food and eating it! Don't get me wrong, Pincho(Basque for Tapas) is good, but the same stuff in every bar and cafe gets old. The country runs on Jamon (Spanish ham) and Queso, Chorizo and bread.
As in any big town with tourists, there are street performers that are looking for money. Some are really bad and some are amazingly good. Last night, these two guys were singing Figaro; the opera and were really good. Turns out they are from Chile.
Anyway, I'm going to keep posting for the next few days. Thanks for reading and the support some of you have expressed. I got a call from my good friend Barry today congratulating me on finishing. He is the one who told me about the Camino, so thanks to you!
Special thoughts for Betty tonight. Blessings...
|)a\/e
Congrats! I know that empty feeling - now what?
ReplyDeleteI took a tour of the roof of the Cathedral- well worth doing.
Blessings on your reintegration to your life.
Darlene
Hi dave
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow cyclist, I really enjoyed your pilgrimage and sympathise with your conflicting feelings as your neared the end. Also loved your pix of O Cebrero in the snow, but wise to taxi it out of there. Also enjoyed your socializing tales. I am impressed that you got off your bike to chat with fellow pilgrims that were walking. Having a touring bike, and defaulting to road riding, I only occaisionally got out of the saddle on the trails, never on the road except with other cyclists, even when the tracks paralleled each other. so you taught me something for when I go back in the fall.