We made it back to Florida, and Jen and Ella picked us up at the airport. Thanks to Laura for telling me about mobile passports, as we cleared customs in 5 minutes!!! Liz said it’s great to be around people she can understand. I really depended on her to communicate for us in Spain. Liz says one day she will do the entire length of the Camino. I would too, but would have to walk much shorter distances each day. My prayer now is that what I learned on the Camino stays with me, living life at a slower pace, placing my worries in Gods hands, and keeping a personal relationship with Him. Keep us in your prayers as you are in mine.

Buen Camino

Surprisingly Liz wasn’t that hard to wake up at 4:00 this morning. Made it to the airport and into Madrid without any problems. Arrived at our hotel at 9 and they let us go ahead and check in then!! We relaxed for about an hour then headed into Madrid!! Took us a little while to figure out the bus system but once we did we mage it to the Prado Museum. Unfortunately the line to get tickets was half way around the building. Instead we made our way to the botanical gardens and had a good time wandering around. Got back to the bus station and thought we were pros but an hour later and after being told 3 times that we were not at the right bus, we almost decided to walk the 8 miles back to the hotel!! The way Liz was ranting would have made her sister, Stephanie, proud!!Finally a young girl who spoke English helped us out and we made it back. Liz says she’s never taking a bus again!! We catch an 8:00 flight in the morning back to the good old USA! Keep us in your prayers as you are in mine.

We caught the 9:45 bus from Finisterre to Santiago this morning. We will miss the serenity of Finisterre. We checked back into the same “haunted” Albergue which we stayed in initially, then headed back into the old city of Santiago. We did some shopping, visited some smaller churches off the beaten path, and visited some beautiful parks. We made dinner in our Albergue which was quite the experience as everyone else seemed to have the same idea. Ever heard of too many cooks in the kitchen?? We are turning it in early as we have a taxi picking us up at 4:30 to catch our flight back to Madrid. We will spend the day in Madrid then fly home Wednesday. Keep us in your prayers as you are in mine.

I let Liz sleep in until 9, then had a relaxing breakfast before attending 12:00 Mass at Igrexa de Santa Maria. It has the cross of Jesus of the Golden beard. Legend has it that the cross was on a boat passing Finisterre when it was caught in a bad storm. They would have foundered had not the crew thrown the figure of Christ into the waters whereupon they became miraculously calmed. It is said that his body has sweated and his beard seen to grow. Miracles have been associated with this beautiful effigy of Christ, so I offered my Mass for a miracle cure for those of you with cancer and pain. Liz and I then set off for the beach on the other side of the peninsula. You are not allowed to swim in it because of the bad undertow but that was ok as the water was freezing. I guess it would be as it’s the Atlantic Ocean. We spent over 3 hours there enjoying the sights and sound of the crashing waves against the rocks. That is until a big wave crashed against my rock and drenched me!!

After today I realized the question isn’t did “God speak to me” but rather did I hear Him??

Keep us in your prayers as you are in mine.

Sorry about the typos in last nights post. The sun didn’t set until 10:20 so it was 11 before we got to bed. Liz normally proofreads my blog but she was already asleep when I finished. We slept in for the first time and after a good breakfast we hiked up Mt. San Guillermo and Facho. There are many pagan and religious legends about these mountains at the “end of the earth”. There are ruins here of an old hermitage of St William. The rock to the right is supposed to help with infertility. Legend has it if a couple lay in this “bed” they would become fertile. Needless to say, Liz wouldn’t lie in it but I did! On Mt Facho are the Piedras Santas, “Holy Stones. They were used as alters by both the pagans and Christians. It is said that the Virgin Mary appeared to St James here to encourage him. One of the massive stones is supposed to move with just the touch of your finger but won’t budge if forcibly pushed. Pagans used it to prove (or disprove) the virginity of a priestess. I was unable to find it or if I did it didn’t move!! It was so beautiful up there with only the sound of the crashing waves, birds, and breezes. On the trail Peregrinos would ask each other “why are you walking the Camino?” I wanted to walk it for several reasons. There are so many people I pray for, especially for healing, conversion, or special requests. Some prayers have been answered and the other in God’s time. I also wanted to develop a more personal relationship with God and have him speak to me. Did He??

Keep us in your prayers as you are in mine.