July 16

July 16
Arzua to Arca O Pino 19km
We sure took our time getting out of town. First we stopped at the cafe (cafes are also called bars) for coffee and ran into many pilgrims we knew as they passed the cafe and came in to say a quick buen camino. We were in kind of a festive mood knowing our day would be short and easy. Two hours later we were stopped at another cafe for a coke light and a little food - cheese, lunch meat, fruit. The camino was full of people as we mix with so many individuals who only hike the last 100km or take tour buses to this area and walk to a certain point where they are picked up again by the tour bus to go back to the city. Being our 31st day on the camino, we are not as fresh as some of these new pilgrims. And yet, they are pilgrims doing their camino just as we are doing ours. People were singing and being playful, truly joyous in these final days. Finally, we walked into Arca at 12:45pm and checked into our albergue where we had reservations. It is a strange feeling to be so close to being done.
 Tomorrow's albergue is a municipal albergue with 400 beds, but is supposed to be very nice for 6 euros. Then Thursday we will walk the last 5km into Santiago.
So, this afternoon we finished our laundry, snacked on the left over food we´ve been caryring, and had fun visiting with other pilgrims. Everyone has their own idea about how they will finish their camino and arrivie in Santiago. The temperatures are still above normal for this part of the country, high 80's the last two days and tomorrow is supposed to be over 90F. Most of our way tomorrow is shaded except for the last climb to Monte del Gozo where the big albergue is. When we get to Santiago we will make our plans to go to Finisterre and Muxia on the coast. Finisterre is ''the end of the earth.''  It is a beautiful coastal area, and like most, very touristic.  There is supposed to be great seafood, and we´ll take the chance to rest, relax, and soak our feet at the end of the earth.  Until then, buen camino.