I was going to do an update after 7 days. But after hiking a long day of 28.6km I was exhausted.

The Camino has been an amazing experience so far. I still can’t believe I am doing it. As I walk along the beautiful countryside of Northern Spain I can’t help but see God in creation everywhere I look. I have walked around 179 kilometers so far. That is around 111 miles. That is almost driving from San Diego to Yorba Linda. Crazy! I can’t believe I have walked that far in 8 days!

I thought I would give five thoughts I have had so far on the Camino.

1. I have tried to stop complaining. The second or third day I was yelling at every hill and mountain I came across. Yes, I actually physically yelled out loud. But then I realized that no matter how loud or often I yelled that I would still have to climb mountain anyways. So there was no use of wasting my energy. Instead I would just look up or look back at the amazing scenery which will uplift any frustrating spirit.

2. I walk very slow, but I am okay with that. I knew I walked slow in general. Having little legs do not help. Also having a pack on can slow you down a bit. I am slowly coming to terms with my slow pace and watching people (some 2.5 times my age) passing me. I will get to where I am going eventually. I have to remind myself it is not a race.

3. Sometimes I just need to stop and take it all in. I am a driven and goal oriented person. Being on the Camino it can be easy to constantly think of the next town to get to or how many more kilometers to go for the day. But in doing so I can miss what is happening around me. Today, stopped on the side of the trail, used my pack as a pillow, and stared up at the clouds while listening to some relaxing music. I really needed that.

4. The path on the Camino is not always direct and sometimes feels out of the way. I learned this yesterday when going to Logroño. I could see the town for miles, but the trail seemed to take me more away from the town than towards it. I eventually got there but it felt like a roundabout way. Just like life sometimes. Our path may not always be direct, and we may go on what seems like tangents. But we will eventually get to our destination.

5. God has shown up time and time again throughout this journey. He has shown up in little ways such as a breeze or light rain to cool me off in the middle of the day. He has shown up as I look at His creation all around me. He has shown up in the amazing people that I have met so far. God has been all around me these past 8 days.

After 8 days I am starting to feel the toll of walking so much each day. Physically my feet ache especially my heels. Emotionally I am doing okay. Today I had some breakdown/breakthrough moment as I was walking.

Please pray for good health on this trip especially for the health of my feet. Also be praying for emotional stamina. It takes a lot out of you when you don’t want to walk anymore and you question why you are doing this.

Thanks so much for being on this journey with me.

Buen Camino!