I was in the upper bunk which is not a fun place for a very stiff and sore, old fat guy. It took a few tries before I figured out how to get down. You need to be on all fours facing away from the floor at the top of the ladder. Facing forward gets your legs tied up in knots and probably ends with a crash to the floor. Oh, great I'm in the top bunk again tonight.
I didn't want to disturb people so I did what I could to prep for the day without pulling all the crap out of my locker. I knew they would start playing music at 6am and I eagerly waited for my signal. As soon as it started I sorted and loaded my stuff and was on the trail at 6:30am.
It was dark, dark ,dark. A girl I passed tried to tell me you could see if you let your eyes adjust like she did yesterday. I don't think she accounted for the tree covered path we were walking under. You couldn't see stars or sky. I liked my big bright light and left her behind. It was dark.
It was an hour and 15 before it was light enough to see and as we walked through the first town I was sad to find nothing open. I did pass a hotel Hemingway always stayed at when visiting this area.
The next town had a coffee machine which I used and two blocks later a bar was open. It featured a lively bar tender who spoke many languages. I got a pre-prepared plate of eggs, bacon and sausage that was microwaved, two small slices of pizza and two cafe con leches for 15E. The plate was good but wasn't hot enough.
The route today was gradual downhill to start, rolling hills and it ended with 4km of quite steep, treacherous downhill. The scenery was pleasant but not that special. We parrelled the road I had taken in the taxi and crossed it several times. It was a harder day than it should have been because of yesterday.
I am getting pretty good with the trekking poles. After all I watched one YouTube video. I don't use them on the hard surfaces but they are a lifesaver going downhills. I think on a flat I'm a little faster; uphill, too. The last bit would have been impossible without them and I leaned on them a lot.
I finished quite early today just after 1. I went to the bar and had lunch (a beer, ribs with fries and salad for 15E) and chatted with Linda from NY at the next table. Then I got signed into an albergue, showered and set up my upper bunk. I skipped laundry because I have a hotel in Pamplona tomorrow. The last few hours I have wandered around talking with people. In another hour or so I will get some dinner. I'm going to try to stay up till 10 and hopefully I will not wake at 3.
Typing from the town square and this is the scene, people wandering through speaking many languages:
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