You can practice mindfulness laying on a yoga mat, sitting cross-legged on the floor, walking a labyrinth.

We practiced mindfulness all morning, making a steep descent down the mountainside on a rocky and sometimes solid rock path.

Every bit of our attention was focused on our feet, our sticks, our balance. No room to think about tomorrow or yesterday or what’s happening back home.

If the slope relented now and then we could expand our consciousness to enjoy the continuous birdsong that accompanied us the entire way.

The mountains are beautiful and dotted with tiny, mostly deteriorating towns, made entirely of stone.

We’ve read that the popularity of the Camino is breathing new life into some of these places, as hostels and cafes open up to serve the constant stream of pilgrims.

We’re staying tonight in Ponferrada, a surprisingly sizable town, complete with a castle.