"Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery and today a gift. That is why it is called the present." Anonymous.
Today, I completed the last of 500 miles and received the gift of entering Santiago as a full-fledged Camino pilgrim!
I was guided to Santiago by the pilgrims of old pointing to the city of my destination . . .
The official Compostela verifying my completion of the pilgrimage and a certificate that I really walked 500 miles were quite different from any of the other diplomas I had hung on my walls over the years.
I arrived early for a front row seat at the pilgrim Mass at the Cathedral, eagerly hoping to see the swinging of the huge incense burner Botafumeiro - one of the largest in the world, reaching a height of 68 feet in an arc extending 213 feet. The story is told that the incense was originally used to fumigate sweaty and disease-ridden pilgrims but is now a standing room only experience at selected Masses. The ritual requires 8 attendant tiraboleiros to perform and almost escapes description.
Our Camino family celebrated an incredible journey and Bill's 61st birthday late into the evening - having to remind ourselves that there would be no alarm blaring or backpack and hiking boots waiting for us in the morning.
The next day we treated ourselves to a comfortable car ride for the epilogue to the Camino. We strolled the beach in Louro, sat on the ocean rocks in Muxia, and visited Finisterre - a cape in the Atlantic Ocean known as the end of the world and the final stop for pilgrims who want to take it to the edge.
My Camino is now complete and I am counting down the hours until I return home to the "present" I have truly missed - my hubby, family and friends.
~ Pilgrim Carol ~
Auntie Carol,
ReplyDeleteThis is truly spectacular, I can't believe your Camino is complete! We have missed you and cannot wait for you to return home and hear all about your journey face to face. You never cease to amaze me :) Love you!
Xoxoxo,
Sasperella
Camino Cayenne,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely ending to your Camino journey. You are back at the Atlantic, the ocean near where you were born. I imagine how real it must feel - I smell the incense from thousands of miles away.
64 is the new 24! Happy 21st birthday to Bill! Carol, you look beautiful, inside and out! Your Camino journey has been a celebration of life everywhere, the human heart and soul! Keep it alive. Love and Kisses, Suzetta and her Critters XXXOOO
Carol,
ReplyDeleteYou are glowing. Your smile, always beautiful and genuine, seem deeper and from a place of true personal happiness. Am so proud of you for being bold, daring and for your willingness to test your personal boundaries. We are all looking forward to seeing how this trip lives on beyond your worn out shoes and these wonderful blogs.
Dear Pilgrim Carol,
ReplyDeleteThe Mass at the cathedral must have been spectacular, especially from a good seat. (Remember the front row at St Thomas in NY?!) I'm thrilled you all traveled on to Finisterre for a true finish to the sea. Your last photo really sums it up, Carol. You did it ... and beautifully. Can't wait to see you.
Much love.
I cant wait to hear all about it.Ditto everything Ivy said. I have new respect for you and Floyd both. What a wonderful couple. Love you both.
ReplyDeleteMy Dear Sweetheart,
ReplyDeleteThis last chapter comes with bittersweet emotions. I will miss each day looking for the beautiful photos and words that so graphically describe each days adventure. I am also so looking forward to your safe return home. You have done a great job of navigating the trek of the Camino and sharing the experience with us mere mortals who are following you from the sidelines. I can not wait to see what challenge you next set for yourself. Great Job! and welcome home.
Your Hubby
Dearest Carol Ann, your spirit has glowed throughout this amazing journey. I truly believe there is nothing you set your mind to that you cannot accomplish with style and grace. Your photos and beautiful words each day were inspiring to all of us who followed you and looked forward to your safe return. What an amazing feeling of accomplishment and know you are coming home with a new sense of fulfillment and some wonderful new soul mates who trekked alongside you. I miss you and am sending you love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteBarbara
Hello Pilgrim Carol,
ReplyDeleteI am back, like an old dog who has her sacred routines and finds out that an important part is no longer here! Responding to the same blog, making pretend the journey continues as it was, howling with sorrow about the passage of time. Wonderful to have you back, sad to see you go. Love, Suzetta XXXOOO
Carol,
ReplyDeleteI have been following your progress with much interest and awe. You are someone that I have looked up to since the day that I met you. Thank you for including me in this chapter of your life. Your words and pictures have been amazing; I feel like I was there with you. I hope to spend some time with you again one day, Ms. P. I truly miss you and will miss spending time with you daily through this blog. Keep in touch when you return to the U.S., please. Love and hugs!!
Congratulations my dearest Carol!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are my hero!!!!!!!!
Hi Carol . . . You have now finished that long journey - what a pleasure to follow you all the way with those beautiful pictures. They are special memories that will last for a long time. I am sure your Guardian Angel was always with you and your friends, protecting you to the end. We are all proud of you for your determination and accomplishing your dreams. I now understand why you were walking every day during our visit to Maine this summer. I am sure Floyd was so happy to see you and we look forward to getting together. We love you Carol. Denise & Rod and family
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Carol! We can't wait to hear all about your journey over a nice bottle of wine and a great cigar and cognac, depending on how many days you cover. I also want you to tell Floyd and me what we need to put in our backpacks when we do the El Camonio next year. . . Seriously, let's get a date on the calendar to get together soon. It's been way too long. Miss you both, Frank
ReplyDeleteCarol,
ReplyDeleteYou are a true Adventure Heroine!! What an accomplishment. Can't wait to hear about your trip in person. I wrote several messages to you but not sure if you received them. We enjoyed your commentary, and the photos were awesome. I hope your body is being nice to you. We look forward to seeing you and Floyd.
So proud of you, Cindy
Congrats Carol!! I, too, will miss the pictures and commentary, but I will look forward to hearing about the journey once you're back home and acclimated back to the "present." What an experience for you. Love, Kelly
ReplyDeleteDear Carol, You wrote in your last message that "....that today is a gift". But you are also our gift. Ray and I enjoyed reading your words and studying your photographs each day. You made us feel like we were on this journey with you. We hope that as you read the messages written by all your friends, you can see how much you are loved. Welcome Home! We missed you and we love you! Deb & Ray
ReplyDeleteWe now miss the artful chronicling of your Camino journey and look forward to your animated stories with the family at Christmas. The experience was surely both inspiring and thought provoking not only for you but for those who followed your walk. We seldom take the time to reflect on our lives the way you did during this pilgrimage. No doubt you have returned with discoveries that will forever change your life. Love, Your Sister Linda & Chris
ReplyDeleteYou are a Pilgram of many strengths! Congratulations on your victorious journey, and Welcome Home at last!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home! Knowing your determination and drive, I had no doubt that you would be a successful Pilgrim! Thank you for sharing this wonderful experience and journey with all of us. Could there possibly be a writing career in your future??
ReplyDeleteDear Empress—
ReplyDeleteI guess you missed the part that you are supposed to develop a Bucket List early in life and then during the later years, knock out that list. Being the lifetime overachiever that you are, I guess you decided to do the Bucket List thing in reverse. Good for you—As always, The Empress sets the rules :)
We read the blogs and always enjoyed your reports and appreciate that you shared the entire experience with us that were stuck stateside. Agent Clarke continued to be your #1 supporter even though he was 4 continents away—I am sure he would enjoy a little “special” attention for that. You seem very fulfilled and have checked off a major accomplishment—That is a great place to be in life.
Love Muffy and JOHNNYYALE
Carol, I am so proud of you. I remember the day you said you were going to make this journey from France to Spain and asked me if I would like to do it with you. I thought you were crazy! I should have known better. You are such an amazing person with such drive and determination. I so enjoyed reading your blog and seeing all the fantastic people you met along the way. Thank you for taking the time every night to write. Happy you are back and your feet survived! Love, Your partner Mary
ReplyDelete"People say she's crazy
ReplyDeleteShe got diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Well that's one way to lose these
Walking blues
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes"
Congrats on completing your Camino Journey!
Carol, I read your blog in one sitting and am so inspired by all of your posts and photos. I have always thought you were an incredible person and this just confirms it. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. Proud to know you! Robin Thorsen
ReplyDeleteCarol, you still never cease to amaze me. Your trip looked fabulous and I pray you found peace along the way and I know you brought your never ending smile and peace to all those you met along the way. The photos were great - including the whimiscal mushroom, and your muddy boots. And just think of all the folks you touched along your journey together. What an amazing thing to do and I am sooo happy for you that you were able to accomplishment this milestone but I never doubted for a minute that you would. Continued love, peace and happiness to you always.
ReplyDeleteCarol, such and amazing and heartwarming journey. Your photos made me feel as if I were riding on your shoulders each time I read your blog. You always looked so happy and , as I am sure, brought that happiness to all you came in contact with. This was an awesome undertaking, incredible challenge and a passage full of many surprises. But knowing your drive and perseverance, it could only end with success. You are an inspiration and I am privileged to call you my friend. Peace to you ! XO. Nancy
ReplyDeleteDear Carol,
ReplyDeleteOn Thanksgiving Day, I give thanks for dear friends like you, who I have know for more than 50 years and cherish more than you can know. As I re-read your blog, I cannot help but marvel at your willingness to take on such a challenge--both physically and spiritually. As we get older and can reflect on all the places that we have been, things that we have done and people that we have known, it is easier to see that although we have all taken different paths, each was right for us individually. Carol you have always brought something special to the "bad group" who first met at Presentation of Mary High School. Taking on this Camino pilgrimage is something that I would not have predicted in high school, but now makes so much sense. You have always had an appreciation of life, family, friendship and traditional values that has kept you grounded--and sometimes even kept us out of trouble. You have such a generous spirit and it shows in all that you have done and will do. Thanks for sharing this trip with your slightly heathen friends, and God bless you, Floyd, and all your family at this time of year. Much love, Jeannie
Carol, I am amazed at your strength to accomplish your Camino dream. Lori and I will enjoy seeing the certificate on your wall. I am sure Floyd is so proud of you but asked you to never do it again. Congratulations!! Jim
ReplyDelete