Day 12: Arzua to O Pedrouzo

Distance: 19km (12 miles)
Elevation gained: 1,500ft
Emotions: bubbly, full, happy, sunny

What a great day! I’m sitting in a beautiful garden at a restaurant, basking in the sunshine, with some bubbly music playing in the background. I’ve just finished a delicious three-course pilgrim lunch and feel warm, fuzzy, full, and completely satisfied after a good day’s walk. Dreamy.

I ended up walking 5 km more than I’d planned today, and now Santiago is just 19 km away! I could technically walk all the way in tomorrow, but I think I’ll stick to my original plan, heading to Lavacolla, just 9 km away so I can walk the final stretch into Santiago with some of the Primitivo group. Half the group will arrive tomorrow, and the rest of us on Tuesday. That evening, we’ll have a big farewell dinner. It will be the last time we’ll all be together and will likely be pretty emotional.

I have already had a few emotional moments yesterday and today. Some tears of joy and disbelief at everything I’ve achieved, and some of sadness, knowing I can’t share this journey with everyone I love.

My knees ache and my body is tired, but my spirit feels full. This experience has replenished something, and I’m starting to understand just how momentous this journey truly is.

Here’s to these next few, precious days!Read more