31 Miles of Kindness and Solitude

Day 31 began much like the days before—with not enough sleep. Nevertheless, I managed to get ready and started running by 6 a.m. Cesar was already awake to bid me farewell, a kind gesture that gave the morning a warm sendoff. As I left Las Catitas and made my way back onto Ruta 7, dawn was just breaking, painting the sky with soft hues. The morning air was cool and refreshing, a perfect start to what would be another solitary day of running.

The road today had a mix of inclines and declines, but I recall more downhill stretches, which made for smoother progress. Ruta 7 felt massive in places, especially at the intersections with its three lanes in each direction. Despite the scale of the highway, the solitude persisted. I only encountered people once during the run. The rest of the time, it was just me, the road, and the rhythm of my footsteps. My goal was clear: reach San Martin quickly so I could relax and catch up on my YouTube videos.

Upon arriving in town, hunger hit me hard. I went straight to the first store I found to grab some much-needed food, as I had nothing left to snack on during the run. With my hunger satisfied, I made my way to the vibrant town center and found a shady bench in the park. Sitting there, I soaked in the atmosphere. It felt grounding after so much solitude on the road.

While resting, I messaged Lucio, a young man I had met earlier in La Paz, to see if he might have a place for me to stay. His quick and generous reply lifted my spirits: “Yes, come over, and we’ll arrange a bed for you.” When I arrived at the Toledo family home, I was welcomed with open arms by Lucio, his mother Olga, his sister Meli, and later his father Roberto. Their kindness was overwhelming.

They had just finished eating but insisted I join them, offering me the remaining tomato salad and a delicious bean and olive salad. For someone who had been craving fresh, healthy food, it felt like a dream. Conversation flowed easily, and with the help of shared language and Google Translate, we exchanged stories and laughter. Lucio brought out mattresses, and together we prepared the bed. Meli even shared her room with me, a gesture of generosity that I deeply appreciated.

After settling in, I took a much-needed shower, worked on my social media updates, and planned to buy food for the next day. Later in the evening, the family invited me to join them for dinner, continuing their incredible hospitality. The Toledo family turned what could have been an ordinary stop into an extraordinary experience of warmth, generosity, and connection.

Thank you, Toledo family, for making my stay in San Martin so special. Olga, Roberto, Meli, and Lucio, your kindness will stay with me throughout this journey. Sharing your home and your lives made this stop an unforgettable part of my adventure.

Here’s to another day of miles, kindness, and the unexpected beauty of human connection.