Before and After | Day 30

I’d like to leave you with some before and after pictures and thoughts, as well as a simple list of some benefits. The spiritual and emotional benefits, and the mindfulness gained from this trip cannot be put into words.

On my last day in Santiago, I went to the pilgrims museum. Aside from having a tremendous amount of antiquities, there was one room with before and after pictures of pilgrims. I couldn’t help but break down and cry because I could certainly identify with the after pictures that I saw.

Did I feel like my before picture prior to my Camino Santiago? No, I wasn’t dead, but I had a lot of other “baggage” I was carrying, and my mental health load certainly needed to be lightened.

I leave you with the pictures. They say a lot about the people and the Camino.

Benefits

- The amazing feeling of releasing some of Kim, Mom and Dad, and Austin’s ashes in very special places along the way

- I lost weight

- I eat healthier

- It eliminated varicose veins on my lower legs

- I grew a beard, it was born in France

- Made some new lifelong friends

- Stopped thinking

- Got in great shape

- Did something that scared the hell out of me

- Answered the Camino’s call and pull on me