Don't Stop Walking

Here's a picture from a few days ago that seemed fitting to post today. We walked and walked....get ready for it...25.4 km!! We left Villatuerta and went to Estella to find new hiking sandals for Emily. We visited the Church of San Pedro de la Rua and had our pilgrim passport (Credencial de Peregrino) stamped by volunteers who had information sheets about the beautiful church printed in several languages.  We were slowed down on the way out of the city for two reasons. First, Emily is our faithful navigator and she went on ahead while Mona and I put on raincoats. Once we were ready we walked on. In a few minutes we realized we were on the wrong path. But that was quickly corrected when we found the yellow Camino arrow. We began to walk down a long, steep path and realized Emily was not in front of us. We went back up the path, waited, debated and then noticed other pilgrims following a different path in the distance. A local man helped us to maneuver around a little neighborhood and we were soon reunited with Emily. All along the Camino there are yellow arrows and scallop shells to guide pilgrims and Emily can always spot them! It turns out that Mona and I had somehow gotten ourselves on a shortcut that we didn't want. The second reason we were delayed was the fountain. All along the way pilgrims are able to refill their water bottles at fountains. The particular fountain that is a pilgrim favorite is located just on the outskirts of Estella. It has two spouts-one pours water and the pours free wine! Emily put a little wine into her waterbottle and Mona and I drank from my scallop shell, several times. We knew we were going to need fortification for our long day. (Note: Pilgrims tie a scallop she'll to their backpack as a way of identifying ourselves to others. As if you couldn't tell!)

So we walked on. We had stopped in a tourist office and asked a kind woman to make a reservation for us at an albergue in Los Arcos, though we weren't sure we could walk that far. She did make the call and the first place was full. The second place didn't take reservations but she got them to make an exception by telling them we were old ladies! Knowing that you would think that the owner would have saved us bottom bunks, but I am writing from the top. I am scared I will fall out of bed because once again there are no safety rails-and this bed is high. The room is totally dark and it's lights out so no pictures tonight. We are totally beat up, but tomorrow is another day. Buenos Noches.