Day 22 - Roncevalles to Zubiri to Eugi - August 6
Well we decided to leave late this morning so the breakfast places would be open. So we left at 8 am, which is very late by pilgrim standards. Bruce, Arlene, Juan, and a new girl we met at dinner last night from Sweden. We had breakfast in Burguete and then I started walking by myself, so did the Swedish girl and the other three walked on together. I met up with the three about half way to Zubiri. They were just finishing their lunch, so Bruce and Arlene started off. Juan was inside and left to catch up with them. He never did. I saw him a few times on the rest of the journey, but then I passed him and didn't see him again. When Bruce and Darlene were leaving we decided to stay at the private albergue, so I asked them to reserve me a spot when they got there. The whole walk today was beautiful with cows and calves, horses, tree tunnels and other amazing sights. At one point I saw three beautiful golden butterflies. I also saw two cats today, not together, not near any houses, but out on the Camino in the forests. I met a group of Spaniards. There were some scouts and their families or friends. They were all from Malaga. I told them i d had lived on Fuengirola for a few months, it was like we were neighbors I spoke with them for a while and then the man who seemed to be leading the group asked if he could take A picture of the tattoo, so he did, then he wanted to take a picture of me with the group. So I had him take a second one with my camera. Earlier I got a picture of one of the girls with one of the cats I saw, a little black kitten.
The Camino from Roncevalles to Zubiri is rough at the end. There is long steep decline which at the end of the day is hard on the body. Though one guy flew by me, he was running the course! I was standing there dumbfounded and thought, "show off." lol
When I got to Zubiri and the town was packed. There were startled pilgrims going from albergue to pension to casa rural looking for a ace to stay. I found out later that everything in the town and surrounding area was booked because there was a big festival in town. So I went to the albergue where we were going to stay to see if they had gotten in to town in time to get a room. They weren't there, so I went to the municipal albergue to see if they went there. They were out front and albergue was full. There was a guy talking to them who said there might be some mattresses on the floor, which would be ok with me but I wouldn't know for sure until 6 pm. He gave Bruce a card for a hotel out of town and said he thought they had rooms available. We went to look for a taxi. We passed the first one and I popped in to ask the lady if there was a taxi parada. She said no, you had to call them. We told her about the hotel and she said she would call them for us. They had just two rooms left and she got them to hold them for us. She called the taxi but he would't be available for two hours, apparently there is only one taxi in town. So she called the hotel and the owner came and got us. The lady at the albergue was so nice, the owner of the hotel was so nice and even the woman at the hotel bar was a gem.
Bruce and Arlene were getting cranky. They were tired and out of their comfort zone. But it seemed to me everything was working out miraculously, it was just taking a little time. We all felt bad that we didn't know where Juan was and didn't have any way to contact him. I just never think to get anyone's contact information on the Camino, it's always like I'll see at such and such a town tonight, if I stop there.
The owner of the hotel arranged a cab for us for 6:30 am that will take us back to Zubiri so we can get back on the Camino. The weather reports says there is going to be rain and thunder storms between Zubiri and Pamplona most of the day tomorrow. Our back up plan is to stay at the albergue, if we can and wait it out. I may just go on unless it is pouring.
Well it has been an adventurous day and now it is time to read a little and get some sleep. There bears are enjoying our new digs.
No comments:
Post a Comment