Pamplona

I arrived in Pamplona about 4 PM, exhausted, but happy to have finally arrived. I (literally) had not slept one bit the night before - it was just too hot! So when I rolled out of bed I already gone 24 hours without sleep. That makes about three nights sleep in six days. I hope this is not a pattern that continues.

I walked to the train station and got on a little milk train at 6 am that took about two hours to get to my first stop, Barcelona Sants. The train had graffiti all over the windows, and so I could not see the names of the stations and the announcement volume was set so low that you could not hear it. I met a woman going to the same place and so I figured out where to get off. In the meantime, I struggled to keep my eyes open because I was afraid I would sleep right through my stop.

Once I got to Barcelona, I had a two hour layover. I struggled to keep my eyes open then caught another train to Zaragoza. That was a much nicer train, and another two hours.

From Zaragosa, I got on another little milk train that stopped in every village, but I actually enjoyed seeing parts of Spain that I’ve never seen before. I saw a huge aqueduct that I didn’t know existed and also a big castle that I need to do some research on. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a good photo out of the windows that were covered with graffiti.

I was so happy to finally arrive in Pamplona!

On the train, I met a pilgrim who was also coming from the United States and we shared a taxi into town. After checking into my hotel, I took a walk to Caminoteca, the pilgrim shop, where I got a warm greeting and a huge hug from the owner. We have been doing business with him for many years and I had a nice visit. Then onto the China Bazaar to buy flip-flops, except it was closed. Many shops in town were closed and I’m not sure if it’s actually gone as in out of business or if it was just closed. The word from the locals is that there are not very many pilgrims and hardly any tourists this season. I found a dollar store where I picked up some flip-flops and then headed to the grocery store to pick up a loaf of bread and Napolitanas for tomorrow’s breakfast. I love these little cinnamon crackers, which I’ve never found in the United States.

Although I was tired, I had laundry to do. I managed to wash my clothes and my sleep sack and hang everything up and it was all dry by this morning. Then I fell into bed and had a 10 hour sleep. I woke up stiff but refreshed and happy the traveling is over for a while. I will spend one more night in Pamplona and begin walking tomorrow.

I did stop at a little bar for a glass of iced tea and some pork belly. That was my dinner. After traveling all day in the heat, I really wasn’t very hungry

This morning, I got up and found my favorite pastry shop closed. I managed to find my first café con leche.

Now I’m going to put my shoes on and take a walk around town. I was shocked to see only three pilgrims this morning when I went for coffee. Usually, the streets are full of pilgrims on their way to the next village.

After a rough start, I’m really happy to be here.

Love,

Annie