I started this month with a challenge to myself to post a picture a day, everyday, no matter what. I love taking pictures, but for me it’s hard sometimes to feel like I’m putting myself too much out there on social media. I’m not the biggest fan of distractions and in our day and age, social media can suck up so much of our time and space. However, I have a strong desire to share my life and to impact/inspire those around me to step further into what God has for them.
So here I am, reflecting on some of the greatest moments of my life through pictures from the past. What a blessing. What an incredible month it was. It was painful. It was long. It was beautiful. 20 days on the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain. Almost 300 miles of walking with a backpack and a stick. The experience is something like you’ll never experience anywhere else in the world. A time for self-reflection and a community of seekers all walking towards the same goal. The opportunity to pour out and receive is everywhere. People helping others at every corner.
Below are pictures and captions from my Instagram. Enjoy.
•Day 0•
Bayonne, France
God’s promises continue at the beginning of each and every day.
•Day 1•
Saint-Jean Pied de Port, France – Roncesvalles, Spain (16miles)
Today we started the long journey to Santiago by crossing the French/Spanish border through the Pyrenees. It was wet, it was long, but oh the views were worth it.
•Day 2•
Roncevalles – Zubiri (14 miles)
Into the mist we walk. Beauty in the unknown.
•Day 3•
Zubiri – Pamplona (14 miles)
Today my feet felt like they were going to fall off. I’m still hyped though. 
•Day 4•
A day of rest in Pamplona filled with soaking our feet in the cold river, gelato (kinder beuno will change yo life!) and eating plenty of bread, cheese, and Spanish sausage. ????
Tonight, we took a late train to Leon so we can make it to Santiago in the next few weeks and decided the best place to sleep in order to save some dollars is the train station.
•Day 5•
Leon – Villar de Mazarife (13 miles)
One of my favorite things about walking the Camino is the people you end up meeting and the meals you end up sharing together. This is living.
•Day 6•
Villar de Mazarife – Astorga (20 miles)
You would be surprised at how terrible your body feels after walking at least 12 miles a day for 6 days. You come to a place where you transcend into 2nd reality where pain and discomfort are only distractions. This is the time to rely on God and the people around you to get to the end.
•Day 7•
Leon – Rabanal (12.5 miles)
Another part that makes the Camino such an amazing journey is surprises you meet along the way. For me, getting to see one of my favorite architects work on accident (Gaudi) and a bonus was getting to see an old homie. (Merlin)
•Day 8•
Rabanal – Ponferrada (20 miles)
Today we came to the highest part of the entire Camino where a cross stands. There are rocks left behind at its base from thousands of pelegrinos from the past. At this point you are suppose to leave something behind, not from your pack but from your life.
I’ve come to an end of myself. We’ve walked close to 100 miles now and I’m becoming physically and emotionally tired. Every day is a struggle but I know that I can make it. I have good people beside me and a Father who keeps helping me put one foot in front of the other. Here I come Santiago.
•Day 9•
Ponferrada – Villafranca del Bierzo (16 miles)
“You will know them by their fruit.” Today was an “easy” day walking through wine country which provided free grapes and plenty of laughs. My feet still disagree with my current life decisions. What got me through the day was Odesza’s new album which just dropped. If you want to treat your earz to second reality, peep game now. @odesza
•Day 10•
Today was another day of rest filled with as much of doing nothing as possible.
This past week I’ve been constantly brought to a point of pure joy. I can’t believe where I’m at right now. The Lord is so good to me. Being redeemed isn’t something you have to work for, it’s simply just given without you even having to ask for it. Your past does not determine who you are today. Get free.
•Day 11•
Villafranca del Bierzo – La Faba (14.5 miles)
Life can be so full of noise and distractions. It moves so fast that we forget to enjoy what’s around us in the moment.
One of my favorite parts of being a peregrine is days like today. I walked in almost complete silence the entire time. Listening to the sounds. Feeling all the feels. Taking in as much as I could. I was slow and I enjoyed looking at what was right before me. I absolutely loved it.
•Day 12•
La Faba – Triacastela (18 miles)
Today was a day for chasing shadows.
•Day 13•
Triacastela – Sarria (12 miles)
The rewards of waking up before the sunrises are stellar more often than not.
•Day 14•
Sarria – Puertomarin (14.5 miles)
We reached the 100km mark left until Santiago today. What a trip.
•Day 15•
Puertomarin – Palas de Rei (16 miles)
You can’t beat misty mornings and warm afternoons.
Only a few more days until Santiago. The emotions are high.
•Day 16•
Palas de Rei – Melide (10 miles)
Everything is older and seems wiser here in Europe.
•Day 17•
Melide – Arzua (10 miles)
We’re within a few days of arriving to Santiago now. It’s a weird feeling knowing that the end of my Camino is almost here. The atmosphere has changed. I’m excited for what’s next but at the same time, walking a few hundred more miles doesn’t sound so bad.
•Day 17•
Arzua – O Pedrouzo (12 miles)
There are all sorts of weird traditions here on the Camino. Today I drank a beer and left a wish along the thousands of other bottles left by fellow peregrines.
•Day 19•
O Pedrouzo – Monte do Gozo (10 miles)
Golden hour on the outskirts of Santiago. Literally we can see the Cathedral from where we’re at. Tomorrow we’ll descend into the city so we can make morning mass. It’s been an amazing month with these people. Walking will change yo life.
•Day 20•
Monte do Gozo – Santiago de Compostela (3 miles)
It. Is. Finished.
I made it. Just under 300 miles. I now possess my Latin certificate of completion. There are emotions that I don’t know how to explain. I’m happy, yet I’m sad.
The Camino is said to begin once you finish. It’s not just an event in your life but instead it’s the beginning to rest of it.
Next stop, Portugal.
