Everyone is home, but the Camino lives on in all of us

Easter morning we got up early and drove Liz and Jacquie to the airport for their flights back to Canada.. Once we got them checked in , Julie Peg and John found an international church to go to for Easter service .. It was great .. The service was in English and had people from all over the world.  They were also having a fellowship lunch after the service so we were able to use up a lot of the food we had left from our journey as well as experience some amazing foods from all over the world . 

Monday morning at 6:00 am we brought Peg to the airport for her flight to Lisbon and on to Virginia 

and later that day Julie and John dropped off the car and flew out to Istanbul and on to their home in Kyrgyzstan .. When all was done we had 20 euros left in the Camino budget .. just enough for Burger king and Late in the airport. 

Everyone had an incredible trip, but all are blessed to be back home again to continue their own personal Camino's 

 

Day 19 ..Return to Porto

 Last night after I published the blog, we decided to just stay in and enjoy a nice meal cooked on the BBQ and enjoyed the view over the city .. It was such a beautiful night. What a wonderful end to our trip.  

Today was our last day on the road before tomorrow when we bring Liz and Jacquie to the airport.  We started the day with a trip down to the docks in Finisterre and a nice coffee conleche before driving back to Porto .

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Our first stop was about an hour back to Santiago.. A few days ago we had discovered the most amazing cheese cake at a very hospitable restaurant, so we decided to make that our first break.  We got there about 45 minutes before they opened for the day , but with a bit of boldness and smooth talking by Julie, we were invited in for coffee and cheese cakes .. then when it came time to go they brought us . fresh sliced baguette bread and a plate of prosciutto to make sandwiches for our way .  Learning that our waitress that had been so nice was actually a refugee from Ukraine , you can be sure that she received a great tip. 

                                       

Two hours later we arrived in our Porto town home .  another beautiful place to finish the trip. Close to the down town and close to the airport. 

One of the stopes in Porto was to The oldest book store in the world.  After driving threw little jam packed streets and parking in impossible places, we found out that there was a huge line up to get in and we could only get tickets to go next Monday .. , but Julie did get a quick snap through the front door. 

Our first day in Porto we found a great restaurant  , so it was fitting that we had supper their tonight.  there was a parking place and a free table as we arrived and the waiter was pleased to see us return and remembered us. 

Tomorrow at 7:30  they head for the airport . 

Day 17 - 18 Maundy Thursday / Good Friday

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

According to Matthew, at the moment Christ “gave up his spirit...the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom”

This marks the finish of the Camino for these walkers .  Day 17 we drove out to Finisterre .. the place where the land finishes. and they walked back towards Muxia . Peg was able to end her journey at a beautiful beach along the route   we also toured out to Muxia this morning to the official 0km marker 

 

In three weeks of walking the Camiño, we’ve met people from 20 countries: Brazil Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec) Czech Republic England & Scotland Estonia France Germany Italy Ireland Japan Latvia Netherlands New Zealand Portugal Romania Russia, Ukraine Belgium South Korea Switzerland Spain United States (Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, North Carolina) Today in Fisterra, we met a 76 year old Frenchman who had walked a total of 1,550 kilometers from central France. He had been walking 10 weeks, and this was his last day before heading home

Day 16

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

First thing this morning the ladies got their Compostela's

 

They were in the first 10 walkers to arrive today so they were given tickets to the pilgrims table at the Parador Hotel .. what an amazing experience for them to have. 

They then walked around the Cathedral.   

Under the alter they went into the tomb of Saint James 

We also went on a tour ride around the old city of Santiago de Compostela 

It was fun to see people that they had met over the last couple weeks along the way