Miles Hiked Overall: 70.6 (113.7 km) Miles to Santiago: 414.3 (666.8 km)
Steps Taken Today: 40,805 Blister Count: 2 - both mostly healed!
Spanish Word of the Day: baño (bathroom) as in ¿dónde está el baño?
What We Learned Today: When you buy better sunscreen because you got fried the day before, it will pour down rain all day!
We spent some time in Puente La Reina this morning finding a pharmacy and getting some really strong sunscreen ...and then ironically we walked in the rain for most of the day. We experienced some massive downpours and even thunder. It's hard to keep a positive outlook when you're freezing and completely soaked!
Just to continue the talk of the arrows from yesterday, we came across the best arrow yet. I had to risk my life (since it was in the middle of the road!) but it was worth it!
Today's walk was quite pretty, going through gently rolling farmland and vineyards. We also saw a lot of olive trees. We are seeing a slight change in scenery and vegetation, including seeing a couple cacti and palm trees. This area is well known for its wine and the vineyards look beautiful!
When we got to Estella, we picked a place to stay like we usually do in our exhausted state: we went into the first one we saw. Here is a photo of our room we share with about 35 others. Tonight only cost €7 but we've had albergues charge up to €12. Everything in albergues is co-ed. There is usually a kitchen where pilgrims can make their own meals, plus places to hang up washing, showers and toilets. Rooms are usually huge and filled with bunk beds that were designed for young children (hard for old people to get in and out of!). The only thing the albergue offers is a tissue paper-like bottom sheet and pillow case that is thrown away in the morning.The noise at night is ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. ..and I don't mean that in a nice way. The noises some people make is amazing...and disgustingly loud.
This was not an especially hard day but both of us are so worn out that we're even skipping dinner in order to get more sleep. Buenas noches!
In addition to the yellow arrows, you will see scallop shells on the Camino route. The scallop shell is the symbol of the Camino de Santiago. It has mythical and metaphorical meanings as well as practical uses. One version of the myth about the origin of the symbol concern the death of Saint James, who was martyred by beheading in Jerusalem in 44 AD. The story goes that after James' death, his disciples shipped his body to the Iberian Peninsula to be buried in what is now Santiago. Off the coast of Spain a heavy storm hit the ship, and the body was lost to the ocean. After some time, however, the body washed ashore undamaged, covered in scallops. The scallop shell also acts as a metaphor. The grooves in the shell, which come together at a single point, represent the various routes pilgrims traveled, eventually arriving at a single destination: the tomb of James in Santiago de Compostela. The practical use of the shell for early travelers was that it was the right size for gathering water to drink or for eating out of as a makeshift bowl. The symbol of the shell is often seen along the trail, on posts and signs.
Most pilgrims also carry a shell with them on their journey. We received our shells in a blessing ceremony back at home at a meeting of the Portlandia chapter of the American Pilgrims on the Camino. The purpose of this organization is to keep members connected to the Camino and to introduce new people to the phenomenon. Before I left home I got my toe nails painted in a Camino theme. When I thought I had a blister yesterday, I took off my socks and shoes. ..and I instantly had an audience of admirers! I knew Camino people would appreciate it!
Today's walk was quite pretty, going through gently rolling farmland and vineyards. We also saw a lot of olive trees. We are seeing a slight change in scenery and vegetation, including seeing a couple cacti and palm trees. This area is well known for its wine and the vineyards look beautiful!
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| Pam is the pilgrim hiking with the neon green rain cover on her pack |
This was not an especially hard day but both of us are so worn out that we're even skipping dinner in order to get more sleep. Buenas noches!
In addition to the yellow arrows, you will see scallop shells on the Camino route. The scallop shell is the symbol of the Camino de Santiago. It has mythical and metaphorical meanings as well as practical uses. One version of the myth about the origin of the symbol concern the death of Saint James, who was martyred by beheading in Jerusalem in 44 AD. The story goes that after James' death, his disciples shipped his body to the Iberian Peninsula to be buried in what is now Santiago. Off the coast of Spain a heavy storm hit the ship, and the body was lost to the ocean. After some time, however, the body washed ashore undamaged, covered in scallops. The scallop shell also acts as a metaphor. The grooves in the shell, which come together at a single point, represent the various routes pilgrims traveled, eventually arriving at a single destination: the tomb of James in Santiago de Compostela. The practical use of the shell for early travelers was that it was the right size for gathering water to drink or for eating out of as a makeshift bowl. The symbol of the shell is often seen along the trail, on posts and signs.
Most pilgrims also carry a shell with them on their journey. We received our shells in a blessing ceremony back at home at a meeting of the Portlandia chapter of the American Pilgrims on the Camino. The purpose of this organization is to keep members connected to the Camino and to introduce new people to the phenomenon. Before I left home I got my toe nails painted in a Camino theme. When I thought I had a blister yesterday, I took off my socks and shoes. ..and I instantly had an audience of admirers! I knew Camino people would appreciate it!
"Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.”
― Henry Miller
