Many ways to Santiago

Before we left for Spain Charlie and I watched a documentary called Six Ways to Santiago. It traced the path of six different people on their 500 mile journey. One woman walked it pushing her four year old son in a stroller! I can not figure out how she did that unless she stayed on the highway.

As we walked today I realized that there are way more than six ways to get to Santiago. Most of the friends we have made on this trip have walked all 500 miles from St. Jean. I am in awe of their stamina! Occasionally we have met people like us who jumped on at different cities and have also clocked many kilometers. Many others started a few days ago in Sarria and are walking the last 100k. Some started in St. Jean and now have injuries that prevent them from walking all day everyday but they continue by taking a taxi part of each day and walking the rest. These are determined people. Two days ago we were chatting with two men from Texas who started in St. Jean. They walked 100k and quit and got on a bus to Sarria and are walking the last 100. I guess it was harder than they thought.

The next and least popular group are the bikers! They share most of the same paths as the walkers but are not a thoughtful group. They come tearing down the trails and with no warning nearly run over the unsuspecting walkers. There should be a rule that they need to ring a bell or shout out some kind of warning. A very few do give some warning. Everyday Charlie smiles an evil smile and threatens to stick his pole in their spokes. That would be very unpilgrim like behavior so I think they are idle threats.

The last large group are the tour group pilgrims that have appeared since Sarria. The groups we have seen are all dressed alike in green shirts and yellow scarves. The tour bus takes its passengers to different points along the trail and they walk for a few miles and then hop back on the bus. We saw one group of such travelers playing cards at a cafe, I guess walking was not in the cards for them. Rumor has it that they all get off at some point and walk into Santiago which means our last steps might be with a large crowd. Whether we walk in with a crowd or stagger in alone we will have done it our way which is the only way a person can do it! Buen Camino for two more days!