Change of Plans

I mentioned yesterday we had new plans. Canadian Sean, who recommended the awesome Casa Marcela (see yesterday's post), arrived in Campostela a few days before us - by doing what seems like an impossible 60km day followed by a 50km day. He did this so he could do part of the Finisterre route. Usually this road is an additional three or four days of walking to the sea - Sean probably could have done this in one long day. Instead he was given the advice to walk from Muxia (another seaside destination) to Finisterre. This path is a slightly long up-and-down one day walk or two short one day walks - surprisingly our over-achieving friend split it into two days. The reasoning behind doing this route is that the walk to the sea is "more hiking" whereas the seaside trail is an "enjoyable decompression". Hearing this from more than one person, we decided to heed this timely advice.

sunset in Muxia

The question now: what to do with our extra 2 days? My immediate solution: Bus down to Portugal. I had already mapped it out as it was another potential "bail the Camino" scenarios. We currently sit on a slow bus to Muxia and hope to see a glorious sunset tonight over the Atlantic Ocean. Upon our return to Santiago, we will catch a fast bus down to Porto Portugal, a town recommended by Tripadvisor and at least one Portuguese hiker I spoke with. Two nights there and then our multiple day trip home (2 day layover in Paris). We are anxious to see Jackomo who has been in boot camp - we've been getting videos from his trainer and he seems to be doing well and having fun with all the new mental exercise.

The only other news today was a really nice chat with a nun from Ireland. She was running the chapel attached to the Pilgrim's office and offered to debrief us on our Camino experience. Jennifer was a lovely woman who was wonderful at sharing her faith and respecting the varied spirituality of others. She shared a beautiful story of the child Saint from her hometown of Cork. Supposedly Little Nelly of Holy God was allowed to receive the Sacraments before her untimely death at age 5 because of her deep understanding of the faith and her holy outlook and demeanor.

Quote for Reflection from Jennifer:
Ephesians 3:17-19

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.