Sahagún

Following a quiet road from Caldadilla de la Cueza, Juan and I walked the 22 kilometers into Sahagún in less than 6 hours. Juan is a basque spainard walking his second Camino. Three years ago he broke his leg so badly they thought he may never walk again. Since then, and after much painful physical therapy,he's living life fully. He had insightful views of enjoying Sunday through Saturday and not just working for the weekend, of living in the moment.  

The walk took us through Terradillos de Los Templarios, the halfway point between St. Jean de Pied de Port where I started and Santiago. Here the buildings are mainly built of the red mud of the land, more like adobe. Houses or caves dug into the side of hills store wine and become meeting halls. 

It was good to have a Spanish guide, although his English is so good that I learned no Spanish! Sahagún refers to itself as the geographical center of the Camino beginning in Roncesvalles, after the Pyrenees and on Spanish soil. It has very interesting brick Mudejar buildings from the Middle Ages. 

The Monasterio de la Peregrina is a former Franciscan convent converted to a museum and where they provide the "halfway" certificate to pilgrims. It has a beautiful 13th century nave with the Virgin dressed as a pilgrim. 

More than halfway doesn't feel so close. This journey is long and it's been so many different things, both expected and unexpected. I am happy to be here, I am glad to be on my way...