Day 6: Estella to Los Arcos - 21.1km

Buen Camino!

From my Mom:
Today was only an 11 mile day, but it was a little tough because of the heat and we got a late start. We didn't hear the alarm, so we left around 7:45 instead of 6:45. The next couple of days will be tough as we hike about 18 miles both days. Hope to be out the door by 5:30 to avoid some of the heat.
Once again, on the Camino we met great new people. We figure we've met people from over 15-20 countries. As the days go by we are seeing more and more injuries. Some people can literally barely walk, but they're out on the Camino doing their best. We met a wonderful group of young people last night at the fountain that pours wine and ran into them again today - a group from Israel, Australia, France, and the Netherlands. Everyone becomes friends on the Camino.

We arrived in town and had booked a private room in an Albergue. A great couple runs it. He did our laundry for 50 cents!!  Breakfast is 3.50Euro. They are really good to the Perigrinos (pilgrims). The towns are really crowded and many pilgrims are turned away. Luckily, we have made reservations for about ten days out. Can you imagine hiking 17 miles in ninety degree heat and being told you'll have to go 5-10 miles more to find a room!? Our friend, Alfonso, spent last night sleeping under the stars.

I still can't bring myself to eat a fish with its head on, or a prawn with black eyes staring up at me. Not gonna happen! Apparently they don't like veggies too much along The Way, as they are few and far between. So we've been eating lots of fruit, bread, cheese, and tomatoes. Don't think I've lost a lb!
Really funny.

People we met the second day just came by our room and are staying right next door. This is what is so cool about the way!!

We just returned from mass where the priest gave a special pilgrim blessing. Very neat.
Sitting icing my knee as a precautionary measure as there are some steep downhills tomorrow. For those of you who know gunshot...that ain't nothing compared to this stuff! We've decided the Spanish have never heard of switchbacks. It's either straight up or straight down!

Steve just came in with our laundry from the line - it smells wonderful and dried in about two hours.
Today on the trail I said, "look Steve a butterfly" and we watched it fly around ... I guess that's what you do on the Camino. We could smell sweet anise and it reminded me of being a little girl playing in the creek down the street by Mrs. Malones. Steve said it reminded him of Grandma Mabelle living out at the airport. Can't remember the last time I thought about playing in the creek. I think we're getting this Camino thing right. Simplicity is absolutely fabulous. It's like having a uniform to wear and not having to think about getting dressed. How many times have you stood in your closet and thought, what should I wear today? None of that. You're just happy to have something lightweight in your pack.

I've rambled on, but so many thoughts come my way. We can't believe we've finished our sixth day. Buen Camino everybody.
Sue and Steve

Beautiful start to the day

Late start at 7:45am



Our guidebook

Thank God for water!

 

Sue on the Camino

 

Steve pouding out the Camino

Beautiful vineyards

Santa Maria Iglesias - mass tonight at 8

Santa Maria Iglesias

Guillermo, Antonio, and Sue

Friends from France and Australia



Friends from Israel, Australia, and France

Sue with Frenchman, Flo

Our friends from Australia and Israel

Delicious red wine from the Navarra region - served a little cold - yummy!!