If you enjoy this post you may like Roncevalles to Zubiri – Day 2 of the Camino de Santiago
Was awake at 5:30 and breakfast was at 6:30. I did not expect to be so ravenous! The alberge provided breakfast with the cost of the room. Everyone was given a choice of times, 6:30 or 7:00. I have been waking up several times during the night so the earlier the better. Food was plentiful but mainly cereals and toast which is not my usual breakfast fare.On the road by 7:21 with my boots on. For some reason today my left toe kept banging into the end of my boot. I was in so much pain that I couldn't focus on the walk. Even though it hurt like crazy, I persisted in walking until it hurt so bad I had to change into my walking sandals but the damage was done. They say everything on the camino is a metphor for life. My insight for the day... "How long will you let the pain continue before you do something about it?"
When I got to Larasoana, I stopped for a cafe con leche and to buy some groceries. The Amaro Supermarket / Cafe is run by Angel. I picked out some cheese, a package of Serrano ham and a baguette. When I got to the till, he took my ham and said, "No, I've got something special for you." He took the ham, put it back and lead me to a fridge. From the back he pulled out a plastic bag with a foil package that he gently unwrapped. "Fresh yesterday, from my friend. For you!" It was beautiful freshly prepared Serrano. What an incredible gift!
Today felt like a very long day because of the pain. I walked in solitude for most of the time. The thought crossed my mind that I am a loner but that I do enjoy company... sometimes. I like being able to do my own thing.
When I got to Pamplona, the energy was frenetic. Adults and children everywhere in the center of the city. Most of the shops were closed because it was about 2:30... siesta time. The thing that surprised me the most was that nobody smiled. I decided to sit in an outdoor cafe and have a glass of vino tinto until the tourism office opened. I could not find an alberge anywhere.
When the office opened, I was given a list of hotels and pensiones that were drastically more expensive. That's when I decided to walk to the next town. I saw three women in a shop that I thought I knew from Zubiri, so I greeted them and then realized I had no clue who they were. We ended up walking together for about 4k until they turned off to find their hotel. The ease with which you meet people on the Camino is very interesting. Chance meetings and random converstions give me food for thought that usually results in some great insights into myself.
I arrived in Zizur Mayor late in the day and was glad when the alberge had room for me. There were 12 beds in the room. I gave my lower bunk to a Bulgarian woman who did not want to climb a ladder. It was a decent place but not as friendly as the two previous alberges had been.
The town is only a couple of thousand people so there was not much exploring to be done. I was pretty tired so I did my laundry and crawled into bed, looking forward to deep and restful sleep.
If you enjoyed this post you may like Zizur Mayor to Punta la Reina – Day 4 of my Camino
Your Pink Friend
