Starting to get the routine, we began to realize that our days needed an earlier start to get us to where we wanted to be. With our crew of camigas, Ana, Donna, and Kathy, we all recovered from the previous day's rain and were ready to jump forward into Pamplona. Sadly, we didn't know it when this picture was taken, but it would be the last time all of us would be together. That's the camino. You never know what is in front of you. Some camigos choose to walk at different paces. Some have unexpected injuries and need to take a break or even leave the camino. Some camigos come and go and you bump into them over time throughout your own camino. The camino is just like life; our paths will cross again, we hope.
Out of Zubiri, we encountered the beginning of the urban area ahead of us. Lots of electrical lines and factories stole our peaceful forest views. We walked along lots of paved roads, to the side of traffic (at times) and lots of choices between slopes and stairs.
Now, let's talk about those slopes. The photos are difficult to demonstrate that the paths and their paved slate stones were 30° to 45° declined angles. After the rains from the day before, everything was damp and mossy. Somewhere along this one...
...it didn't matter how conscious I was or how slow I attempted to stay on top of my footing - I slipped and landed right down on my tail feathers. The sweetest man behind me immediately offered his assistance. Everyone helps one another here. (see the video below for a visual.)
I regained my composure and we met back up with Ana; more slopes and stairs ahead, we were eager to find Pamplona.
The temperatures were the hottest we had experienced since arriving and the sun wasn't helping. As we made our way through the suburbs outside of Pamplona, the street signs and crosswalks were driving us nuts trying to find our little yellow arrows. At one point, we were willing to give up and get a taxi. Finally, we found the ancient fortress wall of Pamplona, built to protect the city in the early 1500s. Cool fact: the walls around Pamplona are 5 kilometers around. Uncool fact: we couldn't find the entrance to save ourselves.
On the verge of throwing myself on the grass and taking a recovery nap, ask and the Camino will provide. There before us was the ancient drawbridge and the portal to the city.
What was quiet on the outside, erupted into a mid-day party on the inside of a Saturday afternoon in Pamplona.
We were overwhelmed by this city, especially after being out on the trails for the last three days. We found our hotel (a splurge for two nights to include a day to spend wandering the streets of Pamplona). After settling in and taking advantage of the Spanish siesta, we found Ana and hit the town for PINTXOS (tapas).
Sunday would be a rest day in this beautiful city.
So much more to come.
Day's end stats:
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