Roncesvalles to Akerreta

Actually, I am in Pamplona right now because when I booked on short notice, Akerreta was fully booked. Akerreta is a small village famous because it is where scenes from the movie, The Way, were filmed and also because Ernest Hemingway wrote in earnest in this part of Spain and apparently also stayed in the community of Akerreta. Akerreta is less famous because in the forests about 15km back toward Roncesvalles, the area was popular with witches of the 17th century and several were burned at the stake in this region. Thankfully, I was born in the 20th century!

Today was about 27km in total, and about 600 meters in elevation, and with the temperature climbing to the high 20's in the sun for most of the day, it was a very challenging walk. Made just a little bit more challenging because I left Roncesvalles a bit late, 9 am, and had to be in Akeretta for my transfer to hotel in Pamplona for 5 pm. I misjudged how long this might take...needless to say, I made it with 20 minutes to spare! Tomorrow morning I will be transferred back to Akerreta to continue on to Pampolona...I seriously considered a few times...of just staying here already! But my conviction to walk all 900 km is very motivating.

So today, I had two revelations: first I crave a simpler life, a more ordinary life. Second, I have too much baggage literally.

All the advice says, don't pack too much...I did...so tonight in Pamplona, I walked (if you can believe it...because I can't) to the shopping district and bought a smaller suitcase. I stopped at the post office and will ship stuff that is unnecessary back to Canada. I am slowly but surely, shedding my life literally over the last few days, and also perhaps figuratively as well...I don't know...in the days to come that will become clearer. One thing I know for sure, I cannot haul that monstrous suitcase up another flight of stairs for the next 48 days!Les mer