it is not the destination but the journey

We are still alive....barely. Currently we are in Barcelona. It has been a very dramatic finish to our past few weeks of travel along the Camino. We are still reflecting a lot on what we have accomplished and well trying to keep food in and moving forward. Viviana managed to get ill the first night we arrived in Santiago. I was still not doing so well. We were lucky enough to have met an Italian doctor who went with Viviana to get me meds, little did she know we would go back to get her some as well. Our arrival was not met with trumpets a sounding or Angels singing. No one came running up saying "wow you made it!". Instead we arrived into what I would have to describe is a "Vegas for Catholics". It was so touristy but instead of scantly clad women with rhinstones, we had rosaries, crosses, and everything imaginable to do with the church, the camino, witches (still trying to figure that one out...?). We were disappointed falls a little short of how I would describe the feeling. I would rather focus on what was positive...seeing our various travel mates, giving them a hug and the look that "we made it, we did it", usually followed by lots of tears of joy and knowledge that we have accomplished what we set out to do and each of us with our different reasons, shared one common goal for 33-36 days. The kindness and support of complete strangers, for no other reason than to be there for someone else in some shape or form. I wish I knew what it will feel like to be home again to the same old same old after all of this. Will all that love and kindness be lost forever? For 33 days we felt what it was like to share the basics of life with others with no expectations other than to walk together, perhaps share a meal, coffee, laugh, whatever.

There is more to tell but time is limited at the moment. Just wanted to let you know we are here and well, enough. We leave for Italy as it stands now on May 27. Looking forward to that part of the trip and hopefully we can eat by then.

Ciao,
K

2 days to Santiago

So we are two days away from Santiago and last night Kimberley has come down with a case of the well let´s just say she can´t keep things down or in. We ate a salad especial and it seems to be a bit more special than we both would like. I haven´t had the same reaction just yet and am hoping not to. Today we walked even though I thought we should have her rest. However the only way I agreed to the walk was J gad ti ket ne take some moer weight to make it eaiser on her as she has no energy.

We did cut the day short as planned we had thought of doing this anyway. So we are in Boente instead of the destination set for day 31.

We are still schedualed to be in Santiago on the 19th. We want to be there when our ¨family¨gets to Santiago.

Ok so now on to the last 100k. It is horrible. The scenery is wonderful but the ¨tourist¨ pilgirms that have joined in are awful. They wake up and make tons of noise, rush by you in droves, they have little or no packs and are taking in zero of the Camino in our minds. They have no idea what we are going through and honestly we don´t care how happy they are to start their walks. Sorry to be blunt but it is true. We have nothing in common with the ¨new pilgirms¨. It is a sad but true reality currently.

We luckily ran into two Canadians again whom we had lost and Ninka whom we started out with in SJPdP... it was wonderful to see them again. Like seeing long lost family members. Ok so this is quick as the time is ticking quick and I need to go tend to my sick bear but we wanted you all to get a little feel of what we are seeing in the last 100k.

We will update again soon.... as for those of you behind... Heather... we miss you and were sad not to see you at the last 100k part but glad you are keeping your Camino going!...

Two days to go and we will be done... it is hard to imagine it is almost over!

wish us luck