Pamplona

And the sun came out!! Today was a nice easy day - only 10.3 miles and one mild hill. 32,318 steps. We started out through beautiful flower lined paths and forest. Just as I was thinking how the whole trail has been beautiful, it popped onto the shoulder of a busy highway for two half mile stretches. Oh well. I officially came out of the Pyrenees foothills today and into a valley. Unfortunately, we climb out of that valley tomorrow. The last 3ish miles today was going through a suburb of Pamplona and a park. Lots of Spaniards out biking, walking dogs/kids and just going about their life. At least half of the locals I passed would say Buen Camino as we passed. A large bike group went by and every single one said it with a little bike chime added. School kids out at recess waved at us and said it. I’m surprised they aren’t thoroughly sick of that phrase, but I guess it shows how proud they are of the Camino and how friendly the country is. Got into Pamplona and promptly had a pinxtos (smaller version of tapas). Not really sure what it was but it had cheese and I think sardines. Pretty good. I’m in an itty bitty hotel room tonight, but it has a private bathroom (with a real towel!!), no roommates and is in the Casco Antigua (old city) right on the Camino trail so I’m a happy camper. Did my “chores” of showering and hand-washing my walking clothes before doing a walk around because it was siesta time and all the main sights were closed. Saw Catedral de Santa Maria la Real, the Iglecia de San Nicolas, Plaza Consistorial (where my hotel is), Plaza Castillo (Hemingway’s plaza in The Sun Also Rises) Iglesia de San Lorenzo and did a tour of the Plaza de los Toros (the bullfighting ring). Kind of just looks like an open air ballpark but with sand and a lot of concrete corrals and food/water troughs. Interesting to learn about the whole process. Pretty confident I don’t want to be a bull in my next life. Met up with some of my fellow walkers and had a dinner of tapas at a few places. I really like Pamplona - it would be nice to come back.

I am now known as Minnesota Becks. An Italian couldn’t say my name and calls me Becks or Becksy. Walked part of the way with a couple from Shoreview (a town near Eden Prairie for you non-Minnesotans) so it appears Minnesota has at least 4 people walking right now. The 4th Minnesotan I haven’t met but appears not to be liked. I won’t tell you his nickname. Added Scotland, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, and Sardonia to the list of countries represented. Also learned German and Austrian men just hang out in their underwear and shirt when in their dorm rooms. And not boxers either. I suppose it’s no different than a Speedo. It was just me and those two sharing a room until another woman got added early evening. Very nice men and good bunk mates other than the whole underwear thing.Okumaya devam et