220kms of rain and wind and then there was sun!

For the last 7 days there has been lots of rain, wind, blisters, infected feet and fingers yes fingers!!!! Andd head cold . I can{t seem to get impulse protein into to me each day to make up for the calories I am expending as I walk. Yet I wouldn’t change a thing. This is all part of this experience..

La Meseta has been an an incredible experience for me to focus on thinking between towns without getting distracted by the landscape. When I am in a town I can be fully present to walk the streets, feeling its rhythm, experiencing the wonder of the art and culture that is ever present through each place I have been.

The days have thankfully been short with only around 19-20kms.

I want to take with back to Australia the connection I am learning on the walk, the sense of community and shared understanding . To be brave enough to strike up conversations with people, be honest and vulnerable and meaningful.

To dispell mistrust and enjoy what is in front of you. The Camino breaks town the social barriers through the shared experience - if we engaged in this way in our day to day life them maybe there would be less isolation and loneliness out there that we are seeing. Where the sharing of information, feelings and emotions isn’t about further your own agenda or any agenda its just for being in, sitting with and experience at the time.

Maybe this is what engaging with authenticity looks like and if it s then I am ready to champion it.

This continued lesson pf slowing down, taking time, don’t rush things, be present. Every day on the trail you are reminded of this, from accepting you will be served for dinner on Spains time, to allowing spaces for deep conversation within your day. For me is allowing myself space to contemplate the future and how I want that to look and reflection on the past and letting go of things I no longer need to hold. Accepting who I am now. Dreaming big on what I want to do and how I can best use my skills and experience to help others.

I got my halfway Certificate in Sahagun, and as my photo was being taking I could stop all the tears from pouring down my face. It was pride, relief, letting go and joy. The Church where we received it was playing the most beautful music. It still feel surreal. Almost trascendent….

There are no small days on the Camino.

Along with all the sites I have seen, I have also become a pharmaceutical and sock connoisseur - in classic Brooke style I now walk in two different shoes to combat the right foot infections I keep getting and could just about map my Camino walk through pharmacies I have visited ‘ it’s become a standing joke now amongst the group.

I have also earnt the nickname ‘Brandy’ from my German friends which is ironic in so many ways-I don’t drink and I am also no very sweet hahaha….However the reason they call me that is I walked passed them sculling a bottle of water and caught their eye and they just yelled out ‘Vodka’ as a joke, which cracked me up. Next time I saw them on the trail I yelled out Vodka in greeting and they yelled back ‘you Brandy us Vodka’ and that is how is has stayed for the rest of the trip. Now it comes with a hug at each greeting.

There are no small days on the Camino, only lots of small but significant moments.

Here are some photos from along the way.

Buen Camino

Brooke