Return of the 7 layer lady (Day 20)

This morning I woke up and in my mental countdown to Amy’s return checked the box for (-7) days. That’s equates to 1 layer per day for the 7 layer lady of the Camino. Amy will arrive next Saturday and meet me at the bottom of the second hardest climb (o’ Cebrerio) and stage of the Camino. It is going to be tough for her as she will land, taxi for 5 hrs, sleep and start the climb with a 28km stage. Many people who start at Leon break that climb into two days as their body isn’t used to The Way yet. But I have no doubt she will crush it because she is she. The toughest badass mind I know.

I have been apart from Amy for 16 days and from my daughters for 24 days, longest stretches in our family. I miss Alara laughing at my poop jokes while simultaneously saying “stop it daddy”. She is never sincere with the stop it of course but pretends to be to make Amy proud. I miss Ellie getting mad at me for saying “John Mayer is a great musician”, which she responds with “he is creeeppp!!!!” with a deep passion coming from her core that only swifties will understand. I miss Eva asking me to go practice soccer with her and watching her juggle endlessly seemingly effortless.

This morning the Meseta is full of pilgrims. We are only 25 kms out of Leon and many pilgrims start their journey a day or so before Leon so they can enter Leon walking to initiate the third section of the Camino. It hasn’t looked this busy since Saint Jean. Many new faces with fresh shoes and backpacks.

In 25 kms or so I will finish the part of the Camino that signifies the death of your old self so you can be reborn on the last section between Leon and Santiago. In full honesty, I am not sure (or aware) if the Ahmet I know (and many adore) is dead. I still feel like myself. I do feel perhaps less sharp on the edges, perhaps a little less anxious about topics that usually make me anxious. But still feel like me. I have been religiously committed to walking the Meseta alone and only engaging with my Camino family once I arrive to the villages we are staying. For someone who used to hate solitude, perhaps due to fear, I loved this aspect of it. Listening to wonderful music (some which you all sent me), taking photos, getting lost in my thoughts of trying to identify what makes me happy in life (so I can do more of that) and what makes me unhappy (many times it’s my own mind). So maybe I am still me; but just a little more self aware after the Meseta. Regardless, I am happy and proud that I didn’t skip the beautiful Meseta.

Congratulations to my dear friend (who reads this blog) for your new job! Can’t wait to see you flourish once again.

Amy gave me grief for not posting a sunrise last two days. I also, without intent, skipped a chocolate croissant (even though I desperately looked for one) yesterday.

Here you go love.

PS: Ellie - I love the new album and can’t wait to hear it live with you in Toronto in November. Don’t listen to your stinky butt big sister. It is great. I listened to it back to back 3 times today. It is perfect for the Camino.

Photos from the day: But first my breakfast (Salute Amy) after the first 13kms. The owner of the cafe patted my back after finishing it to her surprise. I felt very proud of myself for doing so.

Kms today: 19.5 kms

Kms total: 487.5 kms

Steps total: 158.4k Amy, 649k Ahmet