When the official path ends in Santiago, a new one starts. It’s a cherry on top, a cape on the edge of the world called Finisterra. It’s positioned in the most northwestern part of Europe. Centuries ago our ancestors thought Earth is a long flat surface with an edge. That edge was supposed to be Finisterra. It’s about 90 kilometers away. What’s special about it is that you’re in emotional overdrive, a rollercoaster of happiness, sadness and internal peace.
The trip is 120 thousand steps long and it takes you through the beautiful town of Negreiro, described in Hemingway’s novel For Whom the Bell Tolls, and the fishing/industrial town of Ceea, before you reach the cape.
Energy and sunsets are the main stars here. Last year, I named this performance THE SUNSET ON THE EDGE OF THE WORLD. In order to applaud this show, you have to reach the lighthouse first, three kilometers away. The duration of the show is up to you, and I decided it should last three hours. It’s breathtaking and Zen. When it said goodbye, I started clapping, because the performance was BONKERS, and the people behind me started clapping too. I think there was a FUCKLOAD of them. I wouldn’t even notice everyone was clapping if the person behind me didn’t pat me on my shoulder and show the commotion. Okay, the word “everybody” might be exaggerated. I was lying on the edge of the rocky “couch”, VIP seats, so I couldn’t see things happening behind me. Also, I had earbuds in, so I almost missed that beautiful moment.
P.S.
DRESS CODE: long pants, a hoodie or sweater, and a windbreaker.
ACCESSORIES: fully charged phone battery for optimal photos.
This year, however, the turnout for the performance was meager, since it was the last weekend before the school started, so the majority fucked off home. Peace and a few of us wanderers. Going to Finisterra by bus for a quick break, that was my plan. To have some rest before embarking on additional 120 kilometers. The place was more than suitable for a quality rest after a month of walking. It was also a good place to relive beautiful moments and suffering, and of course, for the total meltdown in all possible terms. Santiago is trashy, claustrophobic and has the BACK TO LIFE, BACK TO REALITY song kind of vibe. That’s not how I roll. Finisterra, though, offers you a peaceful opportunity to say goodbye and wrap up the wonderful Odyssey and move from words to actions. Well, it depends on why you went on the trip, of course.
Sea is the best cure for physical and mental wounds. If the Atlantic wasn’t so goddamn cold and salty, it would be cheesy. The weather is quite constant, though – meaning it’s constantly windy. Now you know the reality behind the Instagram photos. :)
And what’s the cherry on top? The high probability you’ll meet someone familiar. The first episode of the Path was thus starring Hello Kitty, Fillipe, Alexander the Great, Eva, Alberto and Poalo.