What happened you are wondering. What happened is that I am looking after myself and making wise decisions!

Last evening and night it rained quite heavily. I was thinking that the weather system would have moved on by this morning. I packed up and continued my journey.

With all the rain some paths were more like streams with mud everywhere. And the rain was not light but a torrential downpour with wind blowing. After an hour of walking I was thoroughly soaked to the skin including my boots and socks. I debated with myself as to what to do.

I had pros and cons for continuing as well as turning back. The deciding factor was that this is not fun. And I recognize that this walk is not meant to be fun but I wanted to do these 3 extra days as it felt like I wasn’t ready to stop.

In the middle of the woods, wet, cold and seeing no point in trying to push myself, as I tend to do things to the fullest as to prove to the world that I’m perfect and can do anything. Wrong ! There is no perfection and no one can do everything, especially me!

So I made the wise decision to turn around, head back to Negreira. I can officially say now that I am done of the Camino! But I needed these 2 extra days to show me that it is over for me. Not sure why but I will figure it out.

Once I got to Negreira I stopped at a cafe for 2 great cups of coffee; being out of the rain and my insides warm I was feeling much better. Checked into taking a bus back to Santiago, only 2 a day and didn’t want to wait around for 6 hours. Since I had access to the internet, I needed a place to stay in Santiago so I decided to celebrate my accomplishment with a great hotel room for the night.

It is a little ironic that as soon as I got into the taxi the sun came out. It was a sign from the Camino that I was not meant to walk these days. It’s something to come back to. The Camino knows what you need! Be open to anything that crosses your path. You have no idea where it will lead you.

I left my backpack at the hotel and headed out until I could check in. I need shoes as I know these will take a week to dry (if I keep them). Found a pair that were on sale and they really were just so I can walk around not in water.

I also wanted to dry off and change clothes before trying on shirts and pants. And I realize that in a previous post I talked about not needing much and carrying what one needs on one’s back! And I would need at least one nice shirt to go out to dinner. Tired of this Camino Causal!

The most important thing I am grateful for is learning that in order to look after others, support them, and be there for them is to look after yourself, keep yourself strong by doing what YOU need. I am stronger from this experience.

The true lesson for all of us if you are sick, have no energy, laying in a hospital bed or any form of incapacitation “How can you help them?”

DO SOMETHING TODAY JUST FOR YOU!

Those you want to help will appreciate it.