The Wiggen's Travels
Our travels around the world.

I have put an end to my trek across Spain. By the time you read this, I will be back at home giving a suprise visit to my wife and a well needed rest to my knee.

I did not give the camino the respect it deserved and it bit me in the ass. I thought I could easily put it before two other treks and simply use it as a warm up. I did not give it enough time and Bali is not the best place to prepare for a month on the road.

I sit here at the end with a mix of emotions. I feel quite like a quitter as I see all the pilgrims come in and celebrate their accomplishment. I feel sad that I do not see all the people I did walk with (but they are all a few weeks away). I feel quite old as my leg still hurts and I see all sorts of people who are MUCH older doing fine. I am excited to go see my wife although there too I feel like I am taking an easy way out by going home. But I need a break and newlyweds should not spend this much time apart.

Overall I want to cry. I beleive there was more for me to learn on the camino. The mixture of good and bad days along with the people and physical workout made it a perfect adventure for me. Some nights I sat alone working on the fact I don’t like to be alone while other nights I sat up and sang with the number of young gay men who were walking, drinking and singing show tunes. I beleive that finishing this trek would have been a positive experience so I hope to come back and finish it some year. This time it clearly pointed out to me the things I need to work on in my life, however cutting it short did not give me the time to work on the issues as much as I wanted.

I prioritized this part of the trip as last (behind Nepal and peru) so I am good with my choice, I just wish I felt better about it right now.

I am writing this from the church in Santiago. Mass starts in 15 min an I plan on staying. Wow the first mass I will go to on my own since probaby high school. I also spent 3+ hours talking to a catholic priest on this trip. (while this is all true, mom don’t get too excited).