taking stock

i looks like i made it. whatever it is. i passed the 1,000 kilometers today on the last hiking day to santiago.

all in all, my sports watch documented 1,004.82 kilometers, hiked on 39 days, approximately 19,000 meters in elevation gain, and 70,500 calories burnt. that is not counting the calories burnt for thinking about varias cosas, all the time i didn’t manage to just be in the moment. today is sunday, so una copa de vino to fill up the calory deficit a tiny bit. and there will be some food.

as i walk back to santi and reach the punto de vista with the first view of the cathedral, the bells start tolling. it is more or less also exactly the point where i cross the 1,000km line cumulatively. of course, there is no line, but somehow it all fits. am i done now?

i smile at every person i meet today. they all smile back.

once again, after a quick detour to the pilgrims’ office, i arrive at the praza de obradoiro. and again, i’m overwhelmed with emotions and tears are covering my cheeks.

today there are no hugs from fellow pilgrims. i know nobody, nobody knows me.

but i know, i’m not alone. and i’ll walk on. starting later today, after a nap.