Thirty-six days. Countless steps. A lifetime of emotions.
Walking the Camino de Santiago from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Faro de Finisterre was more than just a pilgrimage. It was a journey of resilience, discovery, and transformation. Each step carried me through the vast landscapes of Spain, from the towering Pyrenees to the golden fields of the Meseta, through medieval villages, bustling cities, and finally to the wild, untamed cliffs of Finisterre. The place once believed to be the “end of the world.”
I began this journey with a simple goal: to walk. But with each passing day, the Camino became more than just a physical challenge; it was a sacred experience, one that tested my limits, revealed my strengths, and ultimately renewed my faith and trust in God.
The Camino was solitude in the early morning darkness, the sound of my own breath blending with the wind. It was laughter and camaraderie in albergues, sharing meals and stories with fellow pilgrims from all corners of the world. It was the ache of tired muscles, the sting of blisters, and the quiet perseverance to take just one more step. It was the kindness of strangers, the unexpected conversations, and the silent prayers offered in centuries-old churches.
But more than anything, the Camino was a journey of faith. With each sunrise and each challenge, I felt God’s presence guiding me, carrying me through the moments of exhaustion and doubt. In the stillness of the forests, the vastness of the mountains, and the crashing of the waves at Finisterre, I was reminded that I was never truly walking alone. Every hardship was met with grace, every struggle with strength beyond my own.
Reaching Santiago de Compostela was emotional, but continuing to Finisterre was necessary. I needed to walk further; to process everything this journey had given me. Standing at the 0-kilometer marker, watching the waves crash against the cliffs, I felt the weight of the past 36 days settle into my soul. This was the true end. Not just of the walk, but of a chapter in my life.
The Camino has taught me that the journey is never really over. The lessons, the friendships, the quiet moments of self-discovery. These will stay with me, shaping the path ahead. And above all, it has deepened my faith, reminding me that God’s love and presence are unwavering, even in the hardest moments.
As I leave the trail behind and return to daily life, I know that the Camino will always be with me. The way continues, not on a marked path, but in the way I choose to live each day with faith, gratitude, and an open heart.
Ultreia et Suseia. Always forward. Always higher.
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