Tears of Joy (post completed)

YES! WE MADE IT!

Day 16: Pontevedra 》Caldas de Reis: 16km bus- 7 km walk*

Day 17: 》Pontecesures: 16 km

Day 18: 》Picaraña: 11 km

Day 19: 》Santiago: 16 km

* Knowing that the 23 km distance would be too long for us, we decided to go part of it by bus. The plan was 8 km bus and 15 km walking. However, upon consulting the driver to give advice for a good stop to get off, he seemed worried that the national road was too far from the Camino. We trusted him and when we got off and activated the gps, there was not much left to walk for the day. 🤷‍♀️

It was still a nice walk through fields and vineyards. We invested the additional time in a good meal including our favourite Spanish tortilla.

The final walk to Santiago!

The last kilometers felt different. They were not 16 more but the last ones.

At km 8, I was listening to some music on my mp3 player. "Hör auf dein Herz" by Sarah Connor. The perfect soundtrack for this walk. 27 degrees and I had goose bumps on my arms and legs. 

And then...all of a sudden...we were there. Standing in front of the church, starring at it in silence, holding each other's hand, and there they were: the tears of joy.

We went to get our "compostela" which was more of a bureaucratic issue than anything else. Picking a number, waiting and being checked through. 

Summary:

• Total km walked: 232

• Clouds in the sky: None.

• Pastel de Nata eaten: Not enough.

• Total consumption of Coke: I'd rather not mention it to not endanger any future health ratings for insurances. But every single one was a delight.

• Blisters: 4 (in different stages of development)

• Mosquitos killed and ants stepped on: no comment in order to not get in trouble with any animal rights activists 

• Weight of the back pack: 6-8 kg, depending on food and water. By the way: saving 100 grams by taking a comb instead of a hair brush was a stupid idea for the length of my hair.🤦‍♀️

I am happy I fulfilled another dream!