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