Media (2)
Return from Muxía and decompression day.
July 23: return to Santiago after Muxía, with a full recovery afternoon outside the city center.
July 23 was the true “landing” day after the final effort. In the morning I shared in the group how the run to Muxía had gone: very tight arrival, strong heat, continuous alternation between running and walking, because I was exhausted by the blazing sun and extremely thirsty, lots of water right after arrival, and then passage at km 0 later at sunset. It was one of those satisfactions where you feel euphoria and full tiredness together.
Once back in Santiago, however, mode changed: full stop. Instead of staying in the center, I chose Hotel Congreso, about 5/6 km from Santiago. I got there by taxi specifically to avoid adding unnecessary kilometers: that day I only wanted to recover.
Afternoon plan: pool and spa. In chat I was telling Catherine I would spend the whole time there in total relax mode, and that is exactly what happened. Even when I found out the spa opened later than expected, I still kept the day slow: no pushing, no stages, just recovery.
During the day I talked with several people, but without logistical meetups: Laura and Juan had gone elsewhere, so I decided to go straight to the hotel and stay there until evening. Catherine and I kept messaging a lot, with irony, complicity, and light moments. At the same time, I was already focused on next-day logistics: St. James celebration in town, heavy security around, afternoon flight, and airport transfer with two buses (hotel → Santiago → airport).
The evening stayed fully relaxed, with the feeling I had earned that slowness. It was no longer time to “push”: it was time to let everything settle.
Pool water, spa heat, white sheets, and body finally still after days of continuous effort.
Recovery is also part of the Camino: it is not a break from the route, it is the final necessary piece to close it well.
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Day notes