My great adventure has come to an end... if you want to check out the photos from the rest of my journey, send me an email and ill send you the link.

im back in the dusty city made of plastic: somewhereinthemiddleeast.blogspot.com

The last couple of days in Madrid have been phenominal. Great city, did the museums, lots of tapas, lots of Flamenco. Have loaded myself up with a selection of Flamenco CD greats, and a wicked pair of professional castanets:)

Tried the local delicacy "churros con chocolate" (ie deep fried dough dipped in chocolate) twice at 3am in the morning. Prawns here are amazing... have had my share of gelato and calamare to last me two years.

Almost pick-pocketed... I gave the lady about 8 dirty looks.

Sad that my trip is at an end.

Leaving on a jet plane in a couple of hours. Now if only I could be shure that my back pack weighs less that 20kg... (cheap airlines... grrr)

Enjoying the quiet town of Girona:)

Went to the beach on the Costa Brava... went to Dali´s home town to see his wierd museum:)

Good movie: Te doy mis hojos...

My feet are back to their normal size (more or less).... had an amazing meal...

Off to Madrid tomorrow... 4 days left (sigh)

The last 4 days in Barcelona have been great! It has changed a lot since I was last here 10 years ago but have enjoyed the sights and the people and the hospitality a lot.

Went to a flamenco performance on two nights ago... watched an Argentinian band have had my share of pinchos. oh... and I´m all Gaudi´d out for the second time in my life.

I am slowly acclimatizing to the Spanish late nights and the heat...

my feel have swollen significantly... not sure if it´s the weather or the aftermath of the camino or not... it still hurts to walk in the morning.

In good spanish fashion the guys I have been staying with have their very own "meat supply"


On my way out of the city today to enjoy some beach and a travel buddy from Nicaragua

Bilbao was phenominally cool for the museum. Somehow I managed to show up on the day where there is a fiesta and everybody does absolutely nothing and the only thing that is open is the Museums. So I did the Gug and the Bellas Artes.

The following 3 days I spent with a friend and her very cool extended family. Went to a funky church out on a peninsula,

went to the beach, went on a hike through the mountains and a river

and had an awesome paella lesson:)

Am now in BARCELLONA with friends.

PS: In total, I walked about 944km from the beginning... My feet still hurt.

Day 35
Santiago de Compostella- Negreira
22km
After 3 nights in the city, my journey continues... tough doing another 6am morning. new gang of friends different from the first part of the camino. Flashed by a random Spaniard in the woods... good meal.



Day 36
Negreira - Olveiro
30 km
My first long day in a while. So many people on the camino from the festival it was a race to get in line for the Albergue. We got there at 12:30... great meal... Albergue didnt open until 3:30. It rained and was butt cold.

Day 37
Olveiro - Muxia
33km

To avoid the big crowd to Finisterre, I headed along the northern route to Muxia... nice quiet empty hostel... my first glimpse at the atlantic and a swim in the icy water.


Day 38
Muxia - Finisterre
33-35km
A complicated day... but well worth it. The trail between Muxia and Finisterre was poorly marked... we ended up walking back and forth several times before finding the right route...


Finally made it:



Km 0:

We reached Finisterre proper in the afternoon, and did the traditional swim. Went to the lighthouse at the "edge of the earth" to watch the cloudy sunsent. I burned my socks.

I took my first transit ride today and am now back in cloudy Santiago. The buzz of the festival has died down. I leave for Bilbao early tomorrow to visit a friend for a few days

Day 34

The fireworks were perhaps the best I´ve seen in my life... I´ve never seen anyone light fireworks of a church before... quite spectacular with amazing music.

The city is alive with music, and people. The church was packed out today for the arrival of the Patron. They did the big swingy incense thing. I stood near a pillar as I only arrived an hour early and wasnt able to get a seat. Today I made a vow once again to never be a mean little old lady with pointy elbows.

After church, a large separatist group formed in one of the plazas to sing and dance which then led to a parade through the streets with bagpipes, flutes, castanets and songs in Gallego.

I´ve eaten enough octopus to last a lifetime