Webster Bull is now within 40 kilometers of the end of The Way and he's wondering if he may've met an angel:
We are really doing it! We are closer to our goal! We are under 120 kilometers! Under 100! I looked ahead for each new milestone, which seemed to be congratulating us on our progress.
But by this morning, Thursday, with just three days left on the Camino, my experience had changed. We were still counting down, but to what? Christmas morning, or a graduation and the end of precious friendships? The Camino is coming to a close… We have 60 kilometers left… Only 50 now… Thursday evening, as we crossed into the village of Ribadiso, we passed the 40.0 kilometer mark. Marian and I are planning 22 kilometers Friday, 14 Saturday, and a leisurely 4 on Sunday morning, leaving us time to enjoy our entrance into Santiago, arriving well ahead of the pilgrim mass at noon. But it will be over… Or if not over, what will be left…? And what will begin then…?
These were my thoughts early this morning, as the rain clouds began forming again after two days of spotty sunlight. Marian and I walked alone—surprisingly after yesterday's flood of new pilgrims. We walked through leafy archways on natural dirt paths and heard a symphony of frogs. Had we left earlier than the crowds? Yes, probably. It was quiet. It was beautiful. And it was sad. Then things changed.
Marian stopped to rebandage a toe. I stopped, then decided to walk on, knowing that her younger legs would catch up soon enough. As I did so, I saw that a young woman was coming up even with us, walking alone. I had noticed her yesterday evening: a broad, open face with brown eyes, pale skin, and ruddy cheeks, framed by a cowl of wavy red hair. I thought, If I walk now, maybe I will have an interesting conversation. That's how I met Ana.
Of course there's more.
He and his daughter Marian finish on Father's day.
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