Well, if you count hazy with sun it was a beautiful day to go out to Finisterre and walk the final miles out to the ènd of the earth´. Not too many familiar faces out there but a few. Everyone on the bus out was a pilgrim--the Camino Express to Finisterre (and a double decker besides!). Standing there on the rocks looking down at the ocean and smelling the salty air was amazing. The boats down below looked so tiny. The clouds to the west were big and fluffy but the ocean was a beautiful blue to the north. And just think--you all are on the other side of where I was standing today!
The bus trip out took 2.5 hours but the return took 3.5--the bus broke down and we had to be picked up by another which turned out to be the `milk route´. Oh, well. That´s Camino! At least a portion of the trip was by the ocean. It was the fastest I have traveled in over a month! The bus was really flying. Again I was surprised by the number of tourists and tour buses parked near the lighthouse. There were pilgrims weeping and tourists chatting loudly and snapping pictures right and left. A pilgrim is grateful, tourists expect is a Camino mantra. The tourists seemed unaware that many of the people standing around in awe had walked there. I took a picture of the 0.00k marker in front of the lighthouse. A fitting symbol for the end of this incredible journey--a lighthouse and the wide blue ocean leading home to you.
Last night I ran into two people I had met the very first night in France around the dinner table in SJPP. He had had a medical emergency so I was pleased they were able to finsih. They had just gotten in and were looking for accomodation (which is not particularly easy or cheap here in Santiago). So there are still people I know showing up! I also saw creepy man (of Pamplona fame) yesterday.
May you find a light at the end of your journey and joy at the beauty of God´s creation. The journey does indeed begin with one step forward (with some steps backward at irritating moments!) but it does not end with the destination. God´s blessing be upon you and the peace of Christ be within you. May you be the source of God´s grace to others and may the grace of God encounter you in the crossings.
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John Travers and I were a little closer to you today than the rest of the congregation; we were out in the Atlantic East of Point Lookout in North Carolina which juts way out to the Gulf Stream. We'd entered a fishing tournament for King Mackerel, which we won with a fish I caught that weighed 32.5 lbs. The fishing club had hired a caterer and he turned out to be part Cherokee and a devout Christian. He and I talked of spiritual things for a long time. Fish scales and salt water were mixed into my thoughts and prayers about you. Blix
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