Day 15 Santiago

 I'm going to miss "Stella" (my 4-iron) and "Porto" (my hiking pole). Like me, they're square pegs trying to fit in...a mismatched set of poles. We've been a team. At one point I thought of tossing Porto, but having both of them made sense. Stella was always in my left hand,  Porto in my right. I'm going to take them to Santiago and see if I can find a home for them. There's places pilgrims can donate old gear. Maybe someone can continue the story I've started.

Thanks also to my Camino family for accepting me and showing me love! I worried if I'd fit in with my differing world views and interests. It's not every day you see someone hiking with a golf club. And I'm a conservative in a group of liberals, from what I can tell. But we made it work! If we can do it here, why not in the outside world? They accepted me and even encouraged me to dance despite having two left feet! FL Brian, Laura, Barbara, Heather, Dan, Robyn, Cathy, EG, Tracey, Jim, Claudette, Jen...I could go on. And yes, it's been a "magical, musical Camino." As advertised, if not more.

Brian, Dave/Elaine Hall and myself took the bus into Santiago. Arrived 10am, went to the Pilgrim's Office and got my Compostela. Then to Pilgrim House but it was closed so I went to Casa Ivar down the street. Ivan was there and I related my story of Porto and Stella. Sadly this is where Porto/Stella and I parted ways. Ivan takes old Camino gear so hopefully someone will be able to use them and continue their story.

Did a little browsing and bought a few trinkets. For myself I bought an Ultreia ring. I'm not a ring guy but I felt like splurging.

Today's lunch, truly Galician. Waldo Gallego soup with Santiago cake.

We gathered as a group at 3pm to walk into Cathedral Square. As a TEAM. I will miss my Camino family.

If you ever have an opportunity to walk a Camino, do it. Challenge yourself. If I can, you can.