Pilgrims on the Way

Much of the morning of that final day walking was though woodland. Galicia is famously forested. There are some places, though, where the native trees have been replaced by groves of eucalyptus. Those places are eerie, almost silent, as the native animals and birds seem to avoid them. Date: 02 May 2016 Place: somewhere between Arca and O Pedrouzo (Galicia, […]

At the start of our final day walking, I wanted to get a photo of our two musketeers at breakfast. As you can see, it is a blurry morning, and we are all in a silly mood. Date: 02 May 2016 Place: Arca (Galicia, Spain) The final walking day, the final map:

As we approached our stopping point for the day, this particular bit of graffiti stuck with me. Good advice, no matter where you are. Date: 01 May 2016 Place: A Rúa (Galicia, Spain) The final map:

Today’s walk was cool and sunny, and much of it was walking through the pleasant Galician woodlands. At some point in the constant pilgrim reunions today, we lost Alicia. Here Rebecca leads us forward into the next village. Date: 01 May 2016 Place: A Rúa (Galicia, Spain) The final map:

We were looking in earnest for an albergue to spend the night. This one looked cozy, but alas! It was closed for Sunday, so we pushed on. Two years later, we would stay here on our Galician Camino. It’s a lovely spot, and I recommend it. Date: 01 May 2016 Place: Santa Irene (Galicia, Spain) The final map:

Just past yesterday’s monstrosity, we come to this. What is it? A forgotten wayside shrine perhaps, with its central image removed? It speaks to the age and romance of the Camino, if nothing else, but I can’t help but wonder who built it and why. Date: 01 May 2016 Place: near Santa Irene (Galicia, Spain) The final map:

Throughout Galicia, you’ll see this fellow on older signs. He was apparently the mascot / logo for the Camino during one of the holy years in the 1990s. This is its largest incarnation, rising like a monolith above a parking lot. Clearly, the 1990s were a wacky time. Date: 01 May 2016 Place: Santa Irene (Galicia, Spain) The final map:

This fountain was built for the Holy Year of 1999. There is some question in my head over the question of how one actually renders 1999 into Roman numerals. Tonight we’re gonna party like it’s MCMXCIX… or is that MIM? Date: 01 May 2016 Place: Santa Irene (Galicia, Spain) The final map:

We’ve posted many, many photos of the memorials to fallen pilgrims on the Camino. They seem to come in waves, and these last 30 or 40 kilometers have more than their share. Pilgrims will often leave stones at these memorials in tribute to the fallen. I long ago lost count of the number of these memorials. Date: 01 May 2016 […]