(Mostly) Concluding the Camino Journey
by Maru Gonzalez
Dear Friends & Supporters,
As many of you know, I arrived in Santiago on June 25–after 500 miles of hiking–and have decided to walk 200 additional miles before traveling across Europe.
It has been a challenging and rewarding journey and I have grown in ways I probably don’t yet realize. The Camino has helped me more fully appreciate the beauty of simplicity. I have learned to be more patient, less rigid and less afraid of the unknown. I’m learning to embrace whatever life throws at me (without being so reliant on expectations). I am more comfortable in my skin and more resilient than I ever gave myself credit for. I am a better person because of the Camino and this will only make me a better activist.
But even though my journey is (mostly) over, there is still a lot of work to be done. Check out my final blog and please make a contribution to Soulforce. Thank you for your support and encouragement along the way!
Peace, hugs and buen Camino,
Maru 
Whenever one interacts with a fellow pilgrim, the question most often asked (aside from the standard “What´s your name?” and “Where are you from?”) is “Why are you doing the Camino?” Such a question creates the perfect opportunity for me to tell folks about Soulforce. I tell them about Soulforce’s commitment to youth activism and empowerment. I talk about the important work they’ve done both domestically and abroad. But perhaps most important, I tell them about how Soulforce has changed my life and I explain that my purpose for walking the Camino is to 
There is an old Buddist parable of a mustard seed. In the parable, a woman loses her only son. Overcome with grief, she begs the Buddha to mend her wounded heart. The Buddha agrees under the condition that she bring him a single mustard seed from the home of a family who has never known sorrow. The woman visits every house throughout her village yet is unable to obtain even one mustard seed. Every family she visits shares a tale of grief and suffering. Ultimately, the woman realizes that all of us experience sorrow, and that what we learn from our own sorrow is how to open our hearts to the sorrow of others.
Mac Simon, a good friend and former Equality Rider, has a tattoo on his back that reads:
They say the Camino is divided into three sections: the physical, the mental and the spiritual. Try as I might, I have not been exempt from the Camino’s physical challenges. Since beginning the hike 12 days ago, I have experienced tendonitis on both of my ankles, blisters, a head cold, food poisoning and a fever. But don’t worry (mom), such ailments are common as one´s body adjusts to the demands of the Camino and with the proper care, I have been steadily improving and find myself transitioning into the more introspective stage of the Camino. The landscape is changing too. It’s gone from green and mountainous to flat and arid. Perhaps the more mundane terrain forces one´s mind from the outside in. Whatever the case, I look forward to continued self-reflection and will provide updates whenever I am able. Below is an itenerary of my pilgrimage thus far:
For the past 3 days, I have hiked through La Rioja, a province famous for its wine. With miles of vineyards and a picturesque countryside, La Rioja is one of the most beautful stretches on the Camino. But most of the trail is unpaved and muddy, which can make for a challenging hike- particularly when it rains. Today was no different. After several days of constant rain, the mud had become heavy, thick and wet. Initially, I was frustrated by the mud. I had developed a careless gait and paid little attention to what was in front of me. The mud slowed me down. It was a barrier in my path, a nuisance- and I made no qualms about expressing my complaints.
Lao Tzu once said that “the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” In my case, it began with heavy rain, dense fog, cold and wind. The strenuous, mostly uphill terrain further magnified the challenge. Many pilgrims turned around while others took a taxi to the next town. But I soldiered on, always keeping your words of encouragement and support close to my heart. And although my feet are tired, my mind and soul are rested.
