It's over, but it's not over.

I am seldom a loss for words, but I'm overwhelmed by the sense of accomplishment, spirituality, historicity, and sheer physical effort of the past 37 days.  I had used 40 days as my target number to complete the Camino, and was obviously generous in my estimate; there were long days, short days, tourist days, a bus day or two, two awful days, thirty fabulous days, much beer and wine, a few hungry mornings, and some of the most interesting and wonderful people that I have ever met. 

And at the risk of forgetting somebody:  Dan, Heather and Bernice, without whom I could not have lasted the first week, let alone the four weeks we were together; Ruud, Ninge and Marte, my cab-companions from Biarritz; Emily, the young Canadian actor who will go far; Missy, Adam and Noemie who made me feel young; Maddie, a young woman searching for direction; Alan and Cathy, Jean Marie and his wife, Eloi and Louise; the couple from Winnipeg who I first met with Peter; Bridget and Lorette who were always cheery and positive; Kristin and Lacey, students of theology whose future and ministry I somewhat envy; Isabel, whose outlook on life is the most positive I have ever seen; the Korean man with his three year old son in a backpack whose dedication I will never forget as he walked the Camino; Sven the huge German man whose pack was as big as he was; Shirley who knew so much about the Camino; Lucy (the youngest pilgrim, 16, who was doing the Camino as part of her home schooling program), her mom Jennie and fellow pilgrim Lydia; Nicky, Lynn and Tristan, who defended my honour (it's a long story); and to Caroline and Linda, Peggy and Paul, and Gordie and Sue, whose company on this last night of the Camino helped put so much of this experience in perspective.

And it is not over.  Tomorrow I am taking a coach tour to the Atlantic coast to see the villages of Finestere (literally, the end of the earth) and Muxia (featured in the movie The Way).  

Today's Music:  The Vivaldi Gloria, specifically the last two movements (Quonium tu solis Sanctus, Cum Sancto Spiritu/Amen).  I could not have made this pilgrimage without God whose praise I echo in some small way.

Today's Paces:  21,499

Tomorrows Prayer intentions:  my sister-in-law's partner Pat as she continues to recover from her surgery