Day 33: Wandering through the eucalyptus forest

Dear traveler, 

The small stone room is still covered in darkness. Mamarmot is busy packing, not sure what dad is doing.

I feel like I could lay down for a little while.

Not necessarily in the bed, as I'm not sleepy anymore. But just like this, here, now.

I get up and Mamarmot gives me some clothes to wear. We hit the road shortly as there's is no place to have breakfast here. 

It's kind of gray outside but I don't really mind. In so many days, I got used to the picky weather and I started to believe what my folks used to say, that nature is beautiful in all of its ways. 

A milestone from the town's outskirts shows us 39,397 kms. 

-"What does this mean, Mamarmot?"

-"Well, Marmot, it means that we have around two days to go until we reach Santiago."

-"As in today and tomorrow?"

-"Exactly like that, Marmot!"

But I don't want Camino to end! I want to stay some moooore!

I stare at a bright red tree that's shaking off its petals on the ground. As I get closer, I realize that those are not actually petals but full-blown flowers. I pick up one from the ground. It's so beautiful! It looks like a rose!

I think this flower is sad too because she could not stay in the tree anymore. Maybe she didn't wanted to fall. I totally understand it. I'll take it with me to Santiago.

The trail leads us slowly towards forests.

Forests of different shapes. More dense or brighter forests, with rivers or flowers. In each and one of them I feel like I'm in a playground where there's something new to discover at each step. 

And this smell...

-"Mamarmot, why do forests smell so beautiful and yet it seems like each one has its very own scent?"

-"Marmot, it depends on the type of forest. I mean, what type of trees predominate in them. Here, for instance, we have an eucalyptus forest. In other forests, there are many kind of trees that I can't name."

I think that eucalyptus trees were the koala bears favorite. I understand the bears. It smells so good in this forest!

I ask Mamarmot to take me on her shoulders, so I could reach the heights of the trees, but in vain. They've been here for hundreds of years and we, we're just the audience of nature's show. 

I suddenly remember the little koala bear I received last year from two old Australians that followed us for three days just to give us the bear.

Such kind and beautiful people I met on this road!

For the entire trail, as long as the path and as dense as the forest is, we share memories from Camino. I didn't forget a single thing. 

Yes, maybe I forgot what I did three weeks ago at kindergarten or on Christmas, but I would never forget the things that happened on the Camino. 

And if I do forget, because hey, I'm just a kid, Mamarmot will make sure to remind me. Her elephant memory never misses anything.

On my parent's shoulders or walking, jumping and running, we end up in the last town for today.

After some rest, we get out in the sun and we find Jose and Bill.

Well, it's pretty clear, today we must celebrate, right?

We plan to meet with them at dinner. Until then, I want to prepare some things. 

I still have some balloons. We need something sweet so I tell my folks we need to go out to buy some things for tonight's party.

-"What party, Marmot?"

-"Well, the farewell party. Isn't that what Jose said? That tonight is the only night when we meet all together? Then, from Santiago onwards, who knows which path each of us will take."

Mamarmot is amazed by my capacity of understanding the entire conversation.

-"Yes, Marmot, you're right! Let's do something nice!"

We go to the store and we buy some chocolate, strawberries and a wine for my folks. 

On the store's doorstep, I meet a cat without a tail, very loving.

-"Meow, wanderer child, you've reached so far! I'm proud of you! Many people throw me a weird look probably because I don't have a tail, but since you were kind with me, I will answer to one of your questions."

Ohhh, I would really want to ask her something about cats. After all, you may never find a talking cat again. But I do have a bigger curiosity.

-"Meow, talking cat, tell me what's next after the end of this journey?"

-"Meow, child. You didn't really thought that it will ever end, did you? Every end is the beginning of a new adventure and Camino will go on with you, through you, on any path you will choose to walk."

-"How come?"

-"You just need to believe. In the yellow of the field, the green of the forest and the blue of the sky. That's it. Now run to your parents and don't forget what I said!"

-"Mamarmot, Mamarmot! You won't believe what thw cat without a tail told me!!"

-"Did you started to talk "cat-ese" now, Marmot?"

I don't really know. Did I? But I don't think it was a dream. 

I remain silent and thoughtful on our way back. But once we reach the albergue, I start working.

It's time for party preparations! I really enjoy decorating!

Soon, Bill, Jose and the Canadian brothers join us and we spend our time talking until it gets very late, later than we ever stayed up these days. I hear them telling stories about names of places I heard before. I remember the first days here, the people, how many shells and steps I counted, how many games and tales. 

I think about what the cat without a tail told me. And I promise I won't forget. 

If she spoke to me for real, or it was just my imagination, I don't know but she's right. I won't forget the blue of the sky painted with white fluffy clouds. The yellow of the field that shines in the sunrise. Or the green of the forest seen through the eyes of a child that was wandering through an eucalyptus forest.