The albergue in Zubiri was very different from the one the night before. In Roncesvalles there was one massive stone building, remodeled on the inside to a 150 bed dorm. There were bed cubicles for 4 in a long line down the hall. It must have been terrible at the end near the bathrooms. In Zubiri, there were 8 of us in a room big enough for 4 bunk beds and a 4 foot isle. Two showers and two bathrooms (neither of which I am able to turn around in) in the hall and a couple of common rooms before the front door. The operator takes off at 7pm and you get in with a door code. The inmates run the asylum.
I am still not in this time zone. I was trying not to go to sleep too early and was out by 10. Unfortunately, at 3am I was wide awake. I did fall asleep at 5 but woke to the 6am church bells.
Finally I heard others moving about and figured I could too even though no one in my room was awake. Quietly as I could, I moved my stuff to the common area and packed up. Those awake also seemed to be in the wrong time zone.
I was walking at 6:45 and it was dark and for the rocky downhill sections I was so glad I has my bike light. I saw others with headlamps and mine was way better for this.
Walking in the dark is just a way to bank some miles. Nobody talks much in the dark and it's best when you see no other lights.
The path was not hard today but I was aching for a coffee. So many more towns today and so little coffee. I didn't get any until the end of lunch. I did not take the trekking poles off the pack all day. There were some ups and some down but nothing like the previous days. The last 6km was in suburbs but I didn't want to stop because I could see it! Pamplona! Got in the gates at noon and wanted my hotel sooo bad. That's when I realized my Orange SIM cut me to almost zero internet because even though I scanned my passport and sent it to them and then ignored later requests.
One thing I have found for my feet is that short 5 minute breaks where I sit down, take off my shoes and air the shoes and socks makes a huge difference. Dry socks are good.
My hotel is great and I like hotels. I booked a single room for tomorrow, as well. When you are hurting being in a constrained group setting does not help. It was so nice to enjoy my shower (and be able to turn around in it). I took as long as I wanted to wash my stuff and had tons of room to lay it out ... and so many towels. Today I popped a handful of Advil when I got to my room.
Phenomenal meal at lunch. By Was it just because it was the best so far? Who cares. Guy at the hotel said it was his family name and he might be related. Walkinging past the bar area there is a fancy pants restaurant, I had on my fancyist walking pants. I stood out as I asked for a table for one with the universal single finger. I got the menu del dia (28€) and picked one word I knew and two I did not. The gauspacho was amazing. The meat which the waiter had indicated as thigh had two bones in each slice so the anatomy is a little off, but very good. The desert which I thought was sorbet was in a champignon glass and a straw. It was also good. The wine which the menu indicated I get 1/2 a bottle but looks like I'm drinking a full bottle was local and excellent. I just drank a bottle of wine. Should finish with a cafe. Great coffee, I'll have another! Why not? Una mas. This is a great place to write. Looks like I'm at menu del dia, a liter of water, a bottle of wine and 3 cafe con leches. Life is good! Total: 32€.
I wandered around town for a while looking for my Camino friends but only found the Japanese guy from Hokkaido and his son. The son might speak a little English but talking to them is hard and they scampered off.
I'm in the room now, but will go out shortly to get some light dinner. I'll tie the mess up now. I just fell asleep 3 three times - I need to move.
Try the txokoli
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