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I
didn't sleep at all.... not even for 5 minutes... This journey has been so
special in so many ways that I went over every step during the night. Today
this journey ends... today I will go home... and tomorrow I will be back at
work (!!). I think I might need a week to sleep… After my morning shower it
was time to pack all my stuff... I left a little behind... No need to take
home my sleeping mat as it was already worn out from use along the way. I
looked at my pilgrim credentials several times... so many beautiful stamps...
every one of them telling its own story. Before I left Denmark I was told
that getting stamps on this route could be difficult and that it would take a
great deal of imagination… - not really… all I needed to do was to ask for it,
and I carry more stamps this year.
The bags were packed and we left the room and would not return. We went for
breakfast at the same café as yesterday and found that the funny little waiter
still had a frowning face... that poor man. I wish someone would make his day
and make him smile. We had our breakfast, talked about what we would do when
we are back home... Bernhard would return to attend his mothers funeral... he
seems to feel fine with all this, but I think it is more painful to him than
he lets on... or is willing to admit to himself. Now he can go home and find
his peace and seek comfort with his girlfriend and his sisters. We said
goodbye outside the café... gave each other a stay-in-touch hug... and I found
it easier than I thought it would be, maybe because I had already said
"goodbye" in the card I wrote him.
I
was now on my own - I had 6 hours to spend before I had to leave for the
airport. I went to check e-mails, news on the internet... for the first time
in more than 4 weeks I got news on what is happening in the world. One thing I
have really loved on this journey as much as last year was… letting go of
everything... and just live in the single moment... with no concerns of
disasters, gossip and everything the papers will print... - leaving the
internet café I went to the Cathedral... I felt a need to attend mass before
going home. I found a good spot with a good view of the "show" they perform
for visitors... once again I saw the big incense thing "the botufumerio" of
80 kilos being lifted and swung at high speed in a swing of 70 metres. I
wonder how much incense they burn in one year if this is swung every day. The
Cathedral was full.... not an inch to stand or sit was left. I sat in my
“corner” and felt the energy. I closed my eyes... memories from last year
came to me. A strange feeling… I got both happy and sad. They are fond
memories, and I also miss them all.
I
decided to eat lunch before leaving for the airport... and enjoy the last
moments of Santiago. I don’t like this city… it is too crowded… for what
reason do I (or anyone) walk in solitude, in peace… in ….?? just to end up in
a crowded busy city that lives by tourists and pilgrims. This should be a
quiet place to end a journey… this should be…? heck… maybe this is a wake up
call…welcome back to real life…. But what is real life? No matter what, I
love this way of travelling. I was watching tired but happy pilgrims getting
in line to get their Compostellana, watching happy reunions, pilgrims and
tourists getting in line to walk through the holy door. What a joy. I
wonder if I will be back here next year. Will it be the end of another Camino
Frances or maybe the end of Via de la Plata?
It was time to go to the airport… I went for the bus, but too late … it had
already left… instead I took a taxi. I think I got a discount because when he
found out I am Danish he started to talk about football (I know nothing about
football!), and I mentioned the Laudrup-brothers, which was a good choice I
think…? I paid only € 6 (I think the normal fare is about € 10?). Got my
ticket and checked in. I was now on my way home… going back to the daily
routines… (which can only be changed by me)?
-
Much later I landed at Copenhagen Airport. The flight from Santiago to Madrid
was terrible….too much turbulence, I felt airsick, and usually I love to
fly. The flight from Madrid was nice… I got to sleep a little. Found a taxi
and 10 minutes later I was back in my own apartment. Outside my front door a
wonderful surprise waited… Jannie had left a basket with bread, cheese, fruit
and a welcome note… she figured I needed food. She was right. It feels
strange to be back. Now I will get some sleep, and tomorrow I will be back at
work. (Wish I could spend a few days at home).
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