After resting in Longroño and Burgos, we rallied. We wanted the camino to work and we had come all this way. We took time and planned out the rest of our journey. We knew each day what to do and where to go. We were good at planning. At toughing things out. At keeping each other motivated. At saving the best for last. Earning things.

In hindsight, it was this very pattern that was being confronted on the camino. The pattern of pushing through things just to push through. A pattern of always toughing things out and never receiving a “no” or a rejection as a change in course but as a barrier to overcome….. but that is all in hindsight.

We pushed on.

We walked on to Castrojeriz. It was a beautiful clear day. I was surprised by the beauty of the desert and its vastness.

We had already picked out a hotel to stay at and made reservations. It was a fun day and the camino felt for a moment, like it was at our own pace. That night I also finally got the big bowl of spaghetti that I had been craving for weeks! It felt like a success.

It was also a special night because the hotel had pretty great wifi and I was able to receive a text from my best friend letting me know she had gone into labor. I was so excited for her, and even more excited that I was able to stay connected!

The next morning was very special. As my friend was welcoming her new child into the world, we set out on the camino and witnessed the most beautiful sunrise. I will let the pictures describe it themselves.