Day 30: Aruza to Arco de Pino (Auna)

Day 30: Aruza to Arco de Pino
11.5 miles
Total: 476 miles

      I woke up this morning already feeling accomplished even though we haven't walked into Santiago.  We have came so far and it gives me this spectacular feelings throughout my body when I look at a map and see the results. That's the reason for our early mornings, achey bodies, and tired eyes and it was all worth it. This whole thing really makes me feel like I can do anything. ANYONE can do just about anything as long as you want it bad enough and never give up. 

      Our walk was over very early today. We reach the town that we have had planned and it was time to make a decision, shall we keep walking to the town 3 miles before Santiago or stay. Sarah, Bree and March all wanted to keep walking, Deija wanted to stay, and at first I wanted to stay but then I just didn't care which way we went. Sarah and Bree kept walking on and March stayed with us. This really made us feel like crap, I didn't want to hold March back from walking more. At first I was bummed and continued to feel crappy but then my attitude changed and since we were staying here I was going to make the best out of it. Deija and I threw our packs in line and went out to explore. We picked one of the MANY cafes and had some coffee as we usually do. I'm definitely going to miss this place... That is, until I come back (:
  
     Still feeling guilty for holding March back we went to the pasteleria and picked out a bunch of different doughnuts and a sort of cake. I got it wrapped up and we set it on Marchs' bed with a note saying how much we appreciate him. We really do. He is giving us unbelievable opportunities and every day holds a life lesson and there is so much culture here.

     That reminds me.. I have met a Spanish guy named Alvaro. The first night we met we tried to communicate because our bunks were by each others but it was to hard. He didn't understand really anything I said. So we go one the rest of the day and the next just simply waving, saying "Hello" and "Goodbye", and bumping arms. Eventually he makes it clear to me that he can understand better if I write stuff down. We end up sitting on his bed passing a few papers full of notes back and forth, he would occasionally pull out his phone and translate words but we made it work! He's from Madrid and he is walking the Camino with his older brother and his older brothers friend. I think it's really cool that we figured out a way to communicate, language isn't a boundary here. 

      Tomorrow we will be arriving in Santiago, there is so much excitement from my head to the tips of my toes. I have done my best to not take anything for granted, I am trying to take as much of this experience in as I can. This summer will not be the end of my adventuring, that's for sure.