UP & DOWN & UP, UP, UP!!!

The never-ending, up day! A nine hour hiking day for me! Most people I met and the end of the hike had agony in their faces. It was a hard day. Slippery from the rain the day before and steep. But the way is beautiful! Even when I am gasping for air, rather than take my breath away , the beauty revives my breath.
A vendor was parked up the mountain, near a small park with picnic tables. With the few choices he offered of drinks, I took a Nesté con limon. I asked him how far to Deba and responded with an answer in Spanish, and I understood quite clearly that I still had miles to go. Ugh ( he saw my face drop)! After I paid, he laid an apple on top of my can and said, "Buen Camino." I sat in the grass, up against the tree, took a bite of that most delicious apple, and cried. Being so exhausted and weary, that sweet, generous gesture of giving me an apple was just what I needed. After my drink and apple, I was able to carry on.
I reached Deba at 7pm. There was an outage of electricity in the town. So we had no lights and cold showers (so we were told). But the showers were luke warm and pleasant enough. It's amazing how, after a shower and clean cloths can rejuvinate one so immediately. The tiered and weariness were gone. We had plastic sheets on the bed, so I'm glad to have my silk liner with me to lay as my sheet. I had 4 spanish jock boys in the room with me. But they were kind and respectful of space. I was pleasantly surprised that there was no snoring from them. Tomorrow's another steep climb, and it's pouring rain now. I'll deal with mañana, mañana.Meer informatie