The mathematical HALFWAY POINT

Today, we crossed the mathematical halfway point of our journey.  Tomorrow, Sahagun, the symbolic halfway location and we can get a certificate.  Feels like I just started, but here I am, past the midpoint and metaphorically walking out of the woods now.  I know so many first time walkers are feeling like their adventure has been going on forever and here I am screaming into the void "BUT I JUST STARTED!!!"...  But like so things in life, the first time is scary and as such time seems to stretch, but afterwards you feel comfortable and time seems to pass quicker - No, I'm not pondering current scientific theories on time-dilation and speed -YET!  Who knows, tomorrow's walk may be very meditative and allow for some internal pondering of the greater mysteries of the universe.  What I am currently interested in is how this whole journey just doesn't seem so big.  500 miles, yeah, so...  I know it IS a big journey, but the metaphorical elephant is smaller and the bites larger.  Experience and confidence give me a better perspective and frankly I am accused of being TOO calm!  If only I could bottle this Zen and uncork it for my commutes.

Walking along the 17km slog today, the section anticipated and dreaded by so many.  I just found myself doing neither, it was simply another section that needed to be traversed. But it did get me thinking, Metaphorically that section is like so many challenges in life, things that just be addressed, take time and energy, but once tackled do actually resolve.  In my case, 17+km of walking with my pack and I can say "Resolved".

Speaking of that, 17 km slog, calling in a slog is now hard. The original pop-up bar, I believe is gone, to be replaced by two food trucks and a semi-permanent installation.  Unfortunately, they're all located in the first half of the slog. Amazingly, in the last corner of the slog they are building a full-on Pilgrim rest area. Complete with an overlook that you can climb up and get a bird's eye view of the meseta. 

Another thing worth noting. Now that we are clear of the hills for a while, not that the meseta doesn't have its own little ups and downs, there is less overall physical pain. Pain. However, being shy of 3 weeks into the journey, a lot of people are starting to exhibit another round of foot issues. Feet are starting to complain that the constant meeting they have been receiving and blisters are reappearing. I have been very fortunate me and both of my feet have have been cooperative. Some of that is experience and knowledge, some of that is feet that have already been beat up and hardened - apparently they just don't care 🤣. But it is worth noting that the act of walking has moved from a very conscious act into a very automatic mechanical system. Lot of people are not thinking about the act of walking anymore. It just happens. They're not scanning, at least consciously, the trail ahead, the brain is doing that for them - Subconsciously.

One more thing for everyone to ponder. Like so many words in so many languages, words or simple phrases can have extreme power. The phrase "Buen Camino" can cover so many different topics. It is, as almost always, a polite way of greeting a fellow pilgrim. It's also a nice way of hollering down the trail saying "Buen Camino" to the group of people standing in a circle blocking the path which is a polite way of telling them to make a hole and I'm coming through. I've also seen it used by frustrated proprietors waving people away with the wave of a hand while saying "Buen Camino".

🌟 HALFWAY CAMINO STATS – Tue Sept 23, 2025 🌟

Day: 20

Location: Ledigos

Distance today: ~23.2 km (Carrión → Ledigos)

Cumulative walked: ~391 km

Remaining to Santiago (~770 km): ~379 km

% complete: 50.8% — HALFWAY! 🚩

Avg so far: ~19.6 km/day

Needed avg to finish by Oct 13: ~19.5 km/day ✅

Milestone: Crossed the mathematical halfway point of the Camino Francés. Symbolic halfway (Sahagún + certificate) comes tomorrow.