Thoughts on Halfway

  I'm sitting in my luxury hotel room (mama's birthday present from far away) in beautiful León watching music videos, enjoying the last few hours of being 21 years old. I had an hour long bath earlier. I conditioned my hair. I took the compeed off my feet for our rest day. 

      And as of yesterday, Lauren and I are halfway done with our Camino. This beautiful hotel room on Plaza Mayor is our own little Island of Midway. Halfway! We've walked across half of Spain! Only 16 more days and we will theoretically be in Santiago! 

     Total walked so far: 345 km or about 215 miles. Yes, we have travelled by taxi or bus a few times, making our total distance on our feet slightly less than some of the pilgrims enjoying tapas in this city tonight. But every time it's been necessary. Yes, suffering is part of Camino. It should be. But pain and misery should be met with mercy. We've been merciful to ourselves when we needed to, and because of that we can keep walking. We all do what we have to do to finish our pilgrimages and I have no regrets about the few kilometers skipped on this wild journey. Instead I just feel very, very grateful to have made it this far! And proud! Wow! 

       I think (know) there have been some lessons picked up along this road, but I don't feel quite ready to write them. I don't want to impose anything on it yet. I'll wait on the life lesson style wisdom yadda yadda and just say that I'm glad to be where I am. Prayers for health and joy on the second half of our long journey!! Tomorrow we spend a rest/birthday exploring León and then the next day the boots go back on and we keep going!