Day 9 - Nejara to Santo Domingo

Last night I wandered about town and found a large group at a pizza restaurant patio.  They were about to order but a small Spanish place I passed had more appeal to me.  Some Spanish pilrgims I had spoken with earlier in the day were eating there so I figured that was good.  The 12€ fixed meal had potato soup, pork medalians, wine and flan.  Afterward I joined the large group for a beer.

On the way back to the hotel I came across Zeanna, Eddie, Renae and a bottle of wine.  I helped them finish it before Eddie and Renae had to run to make curfew.  Zeanna and I were in the same hotel - a first for her ... hope it doesn't spoil her.

This morning was the first time my clothes were not dry and I had to crisp them up with the hair drier.  I also had never worn my base layer before last night.  It's getting a little cooler.

I headed out around 7:30 and saw Mike from Atlanta at the front door.  He informed me it was going to rain today and I said I never look at the weather report. Outside it was raining.  I pulled out the pancho and threw it over me and the pack.  I immeddiately started sweating.  I sweated all the way to the first town, Azorfa, at the 5km mark.  In a cafe I got a tortilla, chocolate croissant and a cafe con leche for 4.7€.  I ditched the pancho and put the backpack condom on.  It as not so cold I needed a pancho but it was the first day I left my pants long all day.

Leaving Azorfa I was more comfortable but the road was getting a little sloppy.  Irish Tom and San Francisco Josh passed and Josh and I chatted all the way to Ciruena.  The rain was starting to stop at this point and things started to dry out.  In Ciruena I met the Irish pilgrims going to the cafe and joined them.  From last night it was Kira, Mark, Tom and Sarah.  Non-Irish Anthony was also in the group.  We were starting to realize we may be stuck with each other until the end.

I kept up with them for a bit but my feet said to slow down.  The extra friction and wet shoes were starting to cause some pressure points.  The day started to clear up for the final stretch into Santo Domingo.

After cleaning up I headed out.  I found a nice cafe already occupied by Eddie, Zeanna and others and got a large beer and patatas bravas to write this.  Zeanna is spoiled now, she likes the towels.  Going to join the group now.