Torn, I tell you...commiseration (and bonus answers) welcome

[LorneB]

I’m torn, I tell you!

Camino from Porto to Santiago is about to end. Had planned to walk to the sea afterwards (Finisterre or Muxia, not sure). I’d have four days to do it. Been walking with a mild cold (just congestion) for a number of days. Feeling worn down a bit, but I’m still ticking. Want to keep walking. My body says maybe the sea can wait for another time, or that I should bus out to the coast and just walk from Muxia to Finisterre or vice-versa. But taking a bus feels like an unpoetic conclusion.

Not expecting answers, but I’d welcome some commiseration. And what the heck, if you DO have the answer, don’t be shy about spilling

 

[RJM]

Go ahead and continue on.
It is just walking.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Lorne, sorry to hear about the cold; although mild, it will still sap some energy. Here's to feeling better soon

Have you thought about taking a full day and night to rest and recuperate? Then you can see how you feel about walking on to Muxia or Finesterra. A nice, hot shower or a soak in a tub, some OTC meds to deal with your cold symptoms, a good meal, relaxation, and then a good, long sleep. In the morning, you will feel better able to assess what your next steps will be

 

[natefaith]

Hi Lorne,
If I were you, I'd get into Santiago first and then plan next steps. You may find you just want to rest and enjoy SdC, or a bus might be exactly what you need. Or you may feel more motivation and health to keep walking. I think thoughts on what to do for your next chapter will come once you've settled into closing out this one (walking into Santiago). Buen Camino!
Faith

 

[LorneB]

Hi Lorne,
If I were you, I'd get into Santiago first and then plan next steps. You may find you just want to rest and enjoy SdC, or a bus might be exactly what you need. Or you may feel more motivation and health to keep walking. I think thoughts on what to do for your next chapter will come once you've settled into closing out this one (walking into Santiago). Buen Camino!
Faith

Thanks, Faith. That’s similar to how I made my decision on whether or not to take the Spiritual Variant. I’d reflected a fair bit in advance, it it was only once I reached the literal fork in the road, as it were, that I stood there a while, and fully decided.

 

[natefaith]

Thanks, Faith. That’s similar to how I made my decision on whether or not to take the Spiritual Variant. I’d reflected a fair bit in advance, it it was only once I reached the literal fork in the road, as it were, that I stood there a while, and fully decided.

You left us in suspense. What did you choose??!!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I've had bad colds with both sore throats and lots of "gunk" on each of my three caminos. Not sure if I caught them on the flights to Spain or in one of the first albergues I stayed, but I powered through and did not take a day off....I say don't let it stop your plans if continuing is in your heart, unless you have a fever in addition.

 

[trecile]

The worst cold that I had had in years started the day I started walking from Santiago to Finisterre. To allow everyone else to sleep I got private rooms, as I was coughing all night. I still managed to walk from SdC to Finisterre in 3 days, and visited a farmacia there for some cold meds.

 

[C clearly]

I have been on 6 caminos, with 3 ending in Santiago, but I haven't yet been to Finistera. I simply felt I had "finished" each one, and I can always go to Finistera the next time!

 

[NualaOC]

Hi @LorneB, I suggest that you get yourself to Santiago, have a good rest and see you how you feel.

If you still feel inclined to head to the ocean, you don't need to walk all the way to Finisterre. You could, for example take the the Finisterre bus (from the main bus station), but get off at Cee and walk from there (about 12kms). You'll still get those first glimpses of the ocean and the pleasure of walking the last couple of kms in the water, if that appeals to you. Check in to your accommodation, enjoy some nice food and then walk to the lighthouse that evening.

And if you still have time to spare, it's a 1 or 2 day walk from Finisterre to Muxia, which is (IMO) the perfect place to end a Camino.

It's a nice dilemma, with no bad outcomes! Best decided over wine and tapas in Santiago

 

[HedaP]

No advice but am offering commiserations. Hope you make a speedy recovery.

 

[Colette Z]

I’m torn, I tell you!

Camino from Porto to Santiago is about to end. Had planned to walk to the sea afterwards (Finisterre or Muxia, not sure). I’d have four days to do it. Been walking with a mild cold (just congestion) for a number of days. Feeling worn down a bit, but I’m still ticking. Want to keep walking. My body says maybe the sea can wait for another time, or that I should bus out to the coast and just walk from Muxia to Finisterre or vice-versa. But taking a bus feels like an unpoetic conclusion.

Not expecting answers, but I’d welcome some commiseration. And what the heck, if you DO have the answer, don’t be shy about spilling

I walked in the cold rain on El Norte this March with full blown bronchitis-pneumonia (5 days to find a doc to prescribe antibiotic which pharmacists wouldn’t sell me despite me being an MD). But I’m tough. Only you know your body.

 

[Aesklepius]

I can’t tell you your answer, but mine included Fisterra and Muxia. I was grateful for that. So, if you pause at any of the beaches between Fisterra and Muxia, ease your feet and body in that beautiful bit of ocean. The salt air and sunshine may be just the ticket to clearing that which ails you!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Yes, soak your feet and body in the ocean, as long as you do it between the months of June and September!

 

[t2andreo]

Get to the nearest pharmacy, tell the pharmacist you have a cold, with chest congestion. They will recommend a cough syrup. Buy it, take it. You will soon start to feel better.

If you have sinus issues, tell them that too. They will sort you out with the appropriate decongestant and / or antihistamine if this is a seasonal allergy issue and not a cold. In either event, the sooner you get medicated then have a good night's sleep, the better you will feel.

If you have a smartphone, use Google Maps to search for "pharmacy near me." Also, you can use either Google Translate or Microsoft Translator (my preference) to write out your question in English and get the translation to Spanish or Portuguese.

Both apps also have offline capability if you download the language files the next time you have Wi-Fi or if you have data.

Both apps, have the capability to make the translated text full screen / turn the phone 90 degrees. This helps to show a pharmacist the question or problem.

If you have data on demand, you can also have these apps speak the translated text. I have used this several times for medical issues and i works GREAT!

Hope this helps.

 

[Suzanne S.]

What @t2andreo said...and with commiserations...

 

[owms2323]

I’m torn, I tell you!

Camino from Porto to Santiago is about to end. Had planned to walk to the sea afterwards (Finisterre or Muxia, not sure). I’d have four days to do it. Been walking with a mild cold (just congestion) for a number of days. Feeling worn down a bit, but I’m still ticking. Want to keep walking. My body says maybe the sea can wait for another time, or that I should bus out to the coast and just walk from Muxia to Finisterre or vice-versa. But taking a bus feels like an unpoetic conclusion.

Not expecting answers, but I’d welcome some commiseration. And what the heck, if you DO have the answer, don’t be shy about spilling

Take the dang bus. It's not a very great or scenic walk anyway. Too isolated and not many services. Take the bus to Finisterre, walk to the ) KM marker and walk or take bus to Muxia and walk out to lighthouse. That is very pretty, IMO

 

[LorneB]

Hi, everyone. Thank you for all your responses. My body’s not at it’s best, but as my appetite will attest, not at its worst, either.

I’ll see what it has to say in the morning, and either listen or endeavour to override. One nice bonus is that I like Santiago far more than I’d anticipated, and in the event this is far as far as I get, Johnny Walker’s guide to the city (which I just came across today) might well help me achieve a certain kind of closure to this pilgrimage.

LorneB

 

[LorneB]

Darn. That was supposed to be its, not it’s.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Darn. That was supposed to be its, not it’s.

You can always just edit your post to correct misspells...I do it to mine as needed!

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Buses are very poetic!

 

[LorneB]

Take the dang bus. It's not a very great or scenic walk anyway. Too isolated and not many services. Take the bus to Finisterre, walk to the ) KM marker and walk or take bus to Muxia and walk out to lighthouse. That is very pretty, IMO

Well I guess this illustrates how we all have unique tastes. I decided to go for it, and am now walking. Though really long, I found a great deal of the walk between Negreira and Oliveira beautiful, even breathtaking. I guess it helps that I have a thing for prairie, rolling hills and big sky

 

[trecile]

Well I guess this illustrates how we all have unique tastes. I decided to go for it, and am now walking. Though really long, I found a great deal of the walk between Negreira and Oliveira beautiful, even breathtaking. I guess it helps that I have a thing for prairie, rolling hills and big sky

I'm glad that you went for it. For me, when I walked, Santiago wasn't my ultimate destination. I wanted to walk to "the end of the earth". And despite being sick, I was happy that I did it.

 

[Thurland]

I’m torn, I tell you!

Camino from Porto to Santiago is about to end. Had planned to walk to the sea afterwards (Finisterre or Muxia, not sure). I’d have four days to do it. Been walking with a mild cold (just congestion) for a number of days. Feeling worn down a bit, but I’m still ticking. Want to keep walking. My body says maybe the sea can wait for another time, or that I should bus out to the coast and just walk from Muxia to Finisterre or vice-versa. But taking a bus feels like an unpoetic conclusion.

Not expecting answers, but I’d welcome some commiseration. And what the heck, if you DO have the answer, don’t be shy about spilling

I have walked to Muxia (2014) and to Finisterre (2x in 1017). I have also bussed to Finisterre 2x (2014 and 2017) (ok, ... so I leave a lot of time to enjoy myself after doing the CF)

My recommendation is walk if you feel you have the energy. But if you dont, by all means take the local bus (not a tour bus) and go to Finisterre and spend two or three nights there. It is NOT anticlimactic - it is a beautiful drive, and puts you right back unit a Pilgrim atmosphere.

My rough estimate is that if all the pilgrims you will meet in Finisterre, 50% will have walked and 50% bussed.

I’m torn, I tell you!

Camino from Porto to Santiago is about to end. Had planned to walk to the sea afterwards (Finisterre or Muxia, not sure). I’d have four days to do it. Been walking with a mild cold (just congestion) for a number of days. Feeling worn down a bit, but I’m still ticking. Want to keep walking. My body says maybe the sea can wait for another time, or that I should bus out to the coast and just walk from Muxia to Finisterre or vice-versa. But taking a bus feels like an unpoetic conclusion.

Not expecting answers, but I’d welcome some commiseration. And what the heck, if you DO have the answer, don’t be shy about spilling

I have walked to Muxia (2014) and to Finisterre (2x in 1017). I have also bussed to Finisterre 2x (2014 and 2017) (ok, ... so I leave a lot of time to enjoy myself after doing the CF)

My recommendation is walk if you feel you have the energy. But if you dont, by all means take the local bus (not a tour bus) and go to Finisterre and spend two or three nights there. It is NOT anticlimactic - it is a beautiful drive, and puts you right back unit a Pilgrim atmosphere.

My rough estimate is that if all the pilgrims you will meet in Finisterre, 50% will have walked and 50% bussed

 

[AnaRosario]

I’m torn, I tell you!

Camino from Porto to Santiago is about to end. Had planned to walk to the sea afterwards (Finisterre or Muxia, not sure). I’d have four days to do it. Been walking with a mild cold (just congestion) for a number of days. Feeling worn down a bit, but I’m still ticking. Want to keep walking. My body says maybe the sea can wait for another time, or that I should bus out to the coast and just walk from Muxia to Finisterre or vice-versa. But taking a bus feels like an unpoetic conclusion.

Not expecting answers, but I’d welcome some commiseration. And what the heck, if you DO have the answer, don’t be shy about spilling

Just take the excursion bus... it’s 38 euros, all day adventure, well worth the $$$, relax, enjoy and congratulations!! You can do Finisterre/Muxia another time!! I was done at Santiago, but took bus tour to Finisterre, then took city bus to Finisterre and stayed at Oceanus hostel for two days, walked to the the end of the world and celebrated with friends at sunset!

 

[trecile]

Just take the excursion bus... it’s 38 euros, all day adventure, well worth the $$$, relax, enjoy and congratulations!! You can do Finisterre/Muxia another time!! I was done at Santiago, but took bus tour to Finisterre, then took city bus to Finisterre and stayed at Oceanus hostel for two days, walked to the the end of the world and celebrated with friends at sunset!

@LorneB already posted that he's walking...

Well I guess this illustrates how we all have unique tastes. I decided to go for it, and am now walking.

 

[AnaRosario]

Take the dang bus. It's not a very great or scenic walk anyway. Too isolated and not many services. Take the bus to Finisterre, walk to the ) KM marker and walk or take bus to Muxia and walk out to lighthouse. That is very pretty, IMO

I heard that from my friends too, but had to go for it.... I listened to my body, and my other friends! So I celebrated with friends in Santiago too!! ️

 

[AnaRosario]

I’m torn, I tell you!

Camino from Porto to Santiago is about to end. Had planned to walk to the sea afterwards (Finisterre or Muxia, not sure). I’d have four days to do it. Been walking with a mild cold (just congestion) for a number of days. Feeling worn down a bit, but I’m still ticking. Want to keep walking. My body says maybe the sea can wait for another time, or that I should bus out to the coast and just walk from Muxia to Finisterre or vice-versa. But taking a bus feels like an unpoetic conclusion.

Not expecting answers, but I’d welcome some commiseration. And what the heck, if you DO have the answer, don’t be shy about spilling

When I left Finisterre I tried to walk back to Santiago, but made it to Cee, I wasn’t feeling it.

 

[LorneB]

As @trecile has noted, I did in fact make the walk. I’m a slow walker by nature, so going from Santiago to Muxía in three days was a serious push for me. I’m glad I made the effort, though. I really liked the landscape on the first two days, and being at the sea in the end gave things a quality of closure that I might have felt was missing otherwise.

That having been said, I certainly understand why some would prefer taking the bus.