Beginning of the End

Judges 18:5-6 Then they said to him, “Please inquire of God to learn whether our journey will be successful.” The priest answered them, “Go in peace. Your journey has the Lord’s approval.”

Day 34 — 14.50 Miles — Sarria to Portomarín, May 31.  The Way started at  concrete stairs that took us past the church. The climb had begun. 

6:30 a.m. The Climb Begins in Sarria

Beginning today, peregrino passports are required to be stamped two times a day.  The peregrino passport is a book or a folded card in which a hostel, church, police station or cafe stamps with their name and date.  At the end of The Way, the peregrino passport is used as proof that one walked from one town to the next.  

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  Stamps from 4-27-19 through 5-12-19

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  Outside Cover of Peregrino Passport Book

We stopped at a cafe outside of Sarria to get one of the required stamps.  Ed, Melissa and their friend, Donna, were just leaving.  Pismo Beach Kathy who we met in Madrid and her sister Karen were eating at the cafe also.   The Way was crowded with newcomers who were only walking 100 kilometers.  The “old” group stopped later at a cafe at the 7 mile mark.   

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  Donna From Florida

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  Beautiful Old Door

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  Village Dog

More unusual trees were passed today and the scenery stayed beautiful. Some of the fields have been harvested. Another dog wanted his picture taken after he had his head patted.  We took a picture of a home’s beautiful very old front door.  Numerous doors on houses in Spain are the doors from the original construction of the home.  There are homes still in use here that were built over 500 years ago. The doors are heavy and very thick.  

We reached the 100 kilometer point about 9 miles out of Sarria.  We can hardly believe 34 days have passed since we started walking in St. Jean Pied de Port, France.  Only four days of walking remain!  The Way has been hard, easy, joyful, sad, funny, loving……the feelings go on and on.  Most of all we feel lucky to have experienced The Way.  

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  100 Kilometers or 62 Miles to Go

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  We Are Almost to Santiago

Before reaching Portomarín, we found another engraved stone. Cross # 39 was draped over a stone engraved with Daniel 7: 13-27.  

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  Harvested Field

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  Portomarín

The town of Portomarín came into view from a steep hilltop.  The town sits on a lake/river that has been dammed.  We walked across a long bridge and then up some very steep streets to our hostel.  The streets reminded us of San Francisco…..and it was hot.

Palas de Rei will be our next stop for the night. We will be walking up hills and down hills again.   Buen Camino.  Sharon and Ron.