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!
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