One of the best parts of the Path is uniting different generations, nationalities and inclinations. Talking to other hikers with the same destination and the same path, but entirely different reasons, is exhilarating. Naturally I preferred hanging out with those who had matching reasons. If we add good energy, I really don’t see a reason not to mingle.
So I spent two days in Finisterra with Hello Kitty. I’m sorry, what? Who’s Hello Kitty?
I first saw Kitty in one of the most awesome albergos in the town of Guemes. The owner looked like Santa with a matching personality. He deserves his own story, so more about him some other time. We shared a room with her cousin, who joined her on the Path. I didn’t know he was her cousin; I thought he was her boo, since they kept for themselves. It wasn’t until the end that I learned the truth.
I reached Finisterra a day before her. She also took a bus while her cousin decided to walk. She finally had some peace and personal space. I had a chance to chat and party with her. She’s Italian with some Scottish blood. She studies biology and science in Manchester. She has a petite frame and curly brown hair, light complexion, a delightful smile and a soft voice. Just the right amount of talking, not too much. That wasn’t her first Camino nor the last. Her first one was Frances and it was the most memorable, since it was completely painless. This year’s trip wasn’t. She went with her sister then and she had more breathing space. She wasn’t like an octopus that sucks on you. You have to try it to understand. Her second trip was solo as she wanted to see the “school” outside the school. She wanted to feel what she used to be, to meet herself. She joined this year’s Camino simply because she missed long walks. So, matching reasons.
We spent our first day on the beach near the albergo. It was small and serene, hidden from the wind, so it was easily my favorite beach in Finisterra. We visited the lighthouse when the evening came. Again. I went there a day before to say good bye. I couldn’t imagine a nicer conversation during the last performance together: THE SUNSET ON THE EDGE OF THE WORLD. With cheap wine in plastic glasses. Look, you can’t break the cardboard box and plastic, capish? Next day, we found ourselves in a kitchen and we made the best hiker salad following the recipe of the Guemes albergo. I’ll explain some other time if I feel like it. Also, that was the day when Fillipe finally reached us, so we decided to have the last supper. She also enjoys cooking with music, just like me. The salad was phenomenal, and so was the beer. Filippe felt fantastic; so fantastic, in fact, that he smoked my cigarettes and drank my alcohol – which he never consumes. These events are rare. And so it happens that you’re so sick the next morning you run outside, evacuate your insides in the color red with a hint of Farfalle. You then go back to the hall because your bed is too far away. Between throwing up and eating dinner, we hung out with a group I met a few days before reaching Santiago. What we had in common was the total meltdown in Santiago. We were on the edge of the world, we were incredibly happy, with series of rounds and reminiscing. Hello kitty, Fillipe, Alexander the Great, Eva, Alberto, and Poalo – great company. It was a wonderful first part of the finale. Granted, I don’t remember much, but I do remember that. My head still hurts when I remember how agonizing was the following day. We met for a coffee, went to the beach to drink the last two beers, and said good bye. It was a lovely extended weekend and I would’ve extended it a bit further, but I had a date: the final walk in Santiago.
Kitty is only 20, but she experienced so much; other people won’t experience that much in their entire lives. Full of life, optimism and opinions. All you can do is purr next to her. I totally understand Angus for falling for her. When you say goodbye to such a person, all you can say is “Call me when you miss long walks.”
I just regret not meeting her earlier.