I am currently in an internet cafe, to my right local spaniards coming in and out for morning coffee, to my left the boys are flipping through a mass amount of Camino pictures on the computers. My ´small walk for a BIG cause´is now over and our last day was AMAZING!. We started out early and were expecting to get rained on for most of the day. So before leaving we took 15min to tie bags around our ankles. Paul mentuioned that often when you take the time to protect yourself from rain it often won´t and so either way rain or not we rustled in the dark to protect our feet. Turns out Paul was right and we were all so thankful for not getting rain. Still the first 20km we walked through clouds which was very disheartening (wasn´t it now Martin haha) considering that we knew that ocean was close and that sans clouds it would be in view. After walking 20km we finaly got out of the clouds and stopped for breakfast and it was not long after that the clouds started to break and the sun came out..... and then the ocean. It was beautiful and we knew we were almost done.. at this point we were all in much better moods (weren´t we Martin ;). We walked a few km along the boardwalk into Fisterre, the water a brilliant blue and the sand so fine. We were all smiles as we god a bed in the hostel and our last certificate for finishing the treck to the ´end of the earth´.
After being settled we went for a swim and a nap at the beach, had one last family dinner, reunited with friends we had lost along the way and got ready for our last 3km walk to the point (Cabo - km 0). At the point there is tradition to watch the sun set and burn your clothes that you brought with you along the camino. I burnt and entire outfit and sat on a rock cliff to watch the sun set. We had some wine and cookies, a man played the guitar and the point was scattered with pods of peaceful pilgrims reflecting and laughing with friends of our journies now complete. After sitting around listening to music in the light of candles and the fire we said our fairwells and our final ´Buen Camino´s¨ (which was the norm as we passed pilgrims for the last month), but now it was the Camino of life. The joy on peoples faces, the fist pumps and the hugs tole me that everyone had gotten a lot from the Camino and although a sense of accomplish was evident sadness lingered at the same time. I have met all sorts of people, some traveling with illnesses, a man who walked 4700km from Italy, a man who got everything robbed and still continued, families, couples, and an enourmous amount of strong individuals. Human strength is evident here, and although I have tried to give you a glimps words truly can not describe the people I have met, the storries shared, and the memorries made. I can only recomment that you each consider doing the Camino de Santiago.. or find other oportunities to connect and learn from people in a similar fassion.
Being a part of the Be an Athlete for Africa campagn has been an incredible experience.... I would like to thank everyone I have met along the way, all those who have sponsored my event and intern have helped provide real oportunities for youth in Africa, all those who have passed my msg along, and all those who will consider starting their own events.
It is NOT to late to donate, spread the word or participate! You TOO can be an Athlete for Africa! www.myathletesforafrica.com/milamiguel
I have some shout outs for people I have met along the way and they will come in the blogs that follow!
Much love... mila
PS keep posted for pictures that will be added asap!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Day 30 con´t and 31
(written in my notebook after having connected to the internet my first day leaving Santiago)
As I write in the dusk there is already someone snorring, but I thought before I go to sleep I would take note about 2 conversations I had this evening. On my way into Santiago this morning I met Martin (Germany) and Paul (Ireland) who were also continuing to Finisterre. We parted ways this morning expecting to reunite here and so we did. Earlier this evening Martin sat speaking with another German man as Paul and I chatted. Paul stopped for a moment and told me to look at the man Martin was speaking with... very simply he said ¨it is wonderful to watch him listen¨ I thought Paul could not have said it better, there was something simple and calming about what he said and he was right this man had more expression when he listened then when he spoke... we sat there for a few moments silently watching him listen..and for some reason it was just one of those moments that I won´t forget.. try it sometime hahaah.. On a lighter note Paul also shared with me his desparate attempt to making ear plugs in the dark. Not able to sleep and not yet having purchased earplugs he got toilet paper and vaseline .. and you can imagine how that went down in the middle of the night. Whether theyh worked or if it was simply a placebo effect we are unsure, but we both sat laughing at his remedy for the snorers. I also reunited with Marcello and Italian man I spoke of earlier who walked with a young Italian Actrice. He is 77 and has Parkinsons and had not only walked to Santiago but continued to Finisterre. Tonight he is sleeping inside on a chair aafter a couple took his spot on the coach. I was concerned and offered him the blanket I had to sleep outside with and he kindly said in English ¨take it easy¨. Which I believe meant please don´t worry. We speak in Spanish/ Italian/ French, so with his first attempt with english made me think that he really apreciated the concern but that he truly would be ok and so I simply told him to wake me if he needed anything. And with that we all went to sleep.
Day 31. Last night was a short sleep as the clouds rolled in and dampened my top blanket. I had not been cold during the night, but my hips these days feel like those of an old lady and the hard concrete was not eh most comfortable thing I have slept on this Camino. Nevertheless I awoke at 5:20 along with Paul and Martin who too could not sleep and so the three of us got up and left in the clouds by 6 am. Stopping at 8:30 for breakfast we had completed 12km and had 22 to go. We had some good conversation, I sang along with Paul´s Kereoke skills and we enjoyed the scenery of Galicia ( mt´s and forest). Breakfast was our only stop and we trecked along until we reached Olveiroa in hopes of not having to sleep in tents or outside... and we did it! we have beds tonight and will hopefully get a good nights sleep before our last 34km walk tomorrow. Although there is no internet or phones here I reckon I will be able to find something to eat, soooo here I go.... ( after dinner) Someone dirrected us to what I believe is the only other bar in this town for a good hearty meal.. and that it was.. Martin said it best today during dinner ¨there is nothing like walking 34km, having a good meal and a good sleep and then waking up to walk another 34 km have another good meal and another good night sleep¨. This has been life for the last 31 days, it will be veryh odd to be finished. For a monthe I have had nothing to worry about except for basic needs; food, shelter and hygiene. Although at time one or another may have been compromized I have spent an amazing month learning from so many people as life stories and those that have brought people to the Camino have been shared. Many people have expressed interest and curriosity about my T-shirt ¨Run, Skate, pass, shoot, kick , spike, catche, swim FOR AFRICA¨ and about the signe on my pack. I hope that I was able to spread the word and work of A 4 A while completing my ¨small walk for a BIG cause¨. I know that many people have said that they would do a fundraiser with their next treck and that they simply had not thought about it. With one day left to go I know that I have gained far more from my experience here then I have given. I am thankful for peopl like Adrian and Kieren who started the Gulu Walk in 2005. They were the inspiration that got me thinking that to help was really my only option.
Until tomorrow... Last but not least day 32
As I write in the dusk there is already someone snorring, but I thought before I go to sleep I would take note about 2 conversations I had this evening. On my way into Santiago this morning I met Martin (Germany) and Paul (Ireland) who were also continuing to Finisterre. We parted ways this morning expecting to reunite here and so we did. Earlier this evening Martin sat speaking with another German man as Paul and I chatted. Paul stopped for a moment and told me to look at the man Martin was speaking with... very simply he said ¨it is wonderful to watch him listen¨ I thought Paul could not have said it better, there was something simple and calming about what he said and he was right this man had more expression when he listened then when he spoke... we sat there for a few moments silently watching him listen..and for some reason it was just one of those moments that I won´t forget.. try it sometime hahaah.. On a lighter note Paul also shared with me his desparate attempt to making ear plugs in the dark. Not able to sleep and not yet having purchased earplugs he got toilet paper and vaseline .. and you can imagine how that went down in the middle of the night. Whether theyh worked or if it was simply a placebo effect we are unsure, but we both sat laughing at his remedy for the snorers. I also reunited with Marcello and Italian man I spoke of earlier who walked with a young Italian Actrice. He is 77 and has Parkinsons and had not only walked to Santiago but continued to Finisterre. Tonight he is sleeping inside on a chair aafter a couple took his spot on the coach. I was concerned and offered him the blanket I had to sleep outside with and he kindly said in English ¨take it easy¨. Which I believe meant please don´t worry. We speak in Spanish/ Italian/ French, so with his first attempt with english made me think that he really apreciated the concern but that he truly would be ok and so I simply told him to wake me if he needed anything. And with that we all went to sleep.
Day 31. Last night was a short sleep as the clouds rolled in and dampened my top blanket. I had not been cold during the night, but my hips these days feel like those of an old lady and the hard concrete was not eh most comfortable thing I have slept on this Camino. Nevertheless I awoke at 5:20 along with Paul and Martin who too could not sleep and so the three of us got up and left in the clouds by 6 am. Stopping at 8:30 for breakfast we had completed 12km and had 22 to go. We had some good conversation, I sang along with Paul´s Kereoke skills and we enjoyed the scenery of Galicia ( mt´s and forest). Breakfast was our only stop and we trecked along until we reached Olveiroa in hopes of not having to sleep in tents or outside... and we did it! we have beds tonight and will hopefully get a good nights sleep before our last 34km walk tomorrow. Although there is no internet or phones here I reckon I will be able to find something to eat, soooo here I go.... ( after dinner) Someone dirrected us to what I believe is the only other bar in this town for a good hearty meal.. and that it was.. Martin said it best today during dinner ¨there is nothing like walking 34km, having a good meal and a good sleep and then waking up to walk another 34 km have another good meal and another good night sleep¨. This has been life for the last 31 days, it will be veryh odd to be finished. For a monthe I have had nothing to worry about except for basic needs; food, shelter and hygiene. Although at time one or another may have been compromized I have spent an amazing month learning from so many people as life stories and those that have brought people to the Camino have been shared. Many people have expressed interest and curriosity about my T-shirt ¨Run, Skate, pass, shoot, kick , spike, catche, swim FOR AFRICA¨ and about the signe on my pack. I hope that I was able to spread the word and work of A 4 A while completing my ¨small walk for a BIG cause¨. I know that many people have said that they would do a fundraiser with their next treck and that they simply had not thought about it. With one day left to go I know that I have gained far more from my experience here then I have given. I am thankful for peopl like Adrian and Kieren who started the Gulu Walk in 2005. They were the inspiration that got me thinking that to help was really my only option.
Until tomorrow... Last but not least day 32
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