October 20 2019

⅔ done! Made it to Leon. About another 250ish miles to go.

I got asked the other day why I’m doing this “when it looks so dull.”

1. because I wanted a physical and mental growth challenge on my sabbatical and this one appealed to me. I’ve done quite a few hiking trips by now but never one this long so what better way than through an endurance hike for over a month, without rest, averaging 15 miles a day, carrying a pack, by yourself …
2. It’s not dull. The first two weeks were GORGEOUS but this is a walk across a country. There are some parts that are bound to be unattractive. That’s part of the challenge
3. There’s something about the simplicity of just having to get to your destination by foot and feed yourself everyday that’s refreshing. I literally just have to walk eat and learn every day
4. I’m documenting this from my perception so you see my day through my eyes. And if you ever want to do this- you get a sense of the highs and the lows. It’s not all sunshine and it’s not all rain

So other than the aforementioned, after almost 20 days of walking about Spain… what have I learned/can reflect on:

• Cliche but the human body is amazing how it adjusts… you just need to let it happen and not let your mind tell you, you can’t or you won’t. My feet haven’t hurt for days now. I have pains, yes but after day 5.. my feet stopped hurting and are used to walking for hours a day.
• I think I feel more comfortable being and eating alone in a foreign country than in America. Is that weird?
• I’ve done more yoga on this trip than in my life. No exaggeration
• I’ve crushed so many audio books… and will be yelling about them by myself as I walk sometimes
• It is possible for me to get sick of bread
• I will eat potatoes when very hungry (but only very crispy cooked potatoes)
• The first half of this hike was harder physically, the second half- mentally

Another 20 miles tomorrow. 3 twenty+ milers this week ! At this point it’s more a mental game.

a big “hello!“ to Selena’s mama, Mrs Shen! Thanks so much for reading my blog! 🤗