Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
My Camino Journey
So today is the day I finally start my journey. I was up early after a bad night sleep, my room was hot and I couldn't get comfortable plus I was excited to get started and couldn't really switch of my thoughts, because the sun doesn't come up till nearly 8am I kept myself busy packing my bag and sorting my stuff, making sure all phones and cameras were 100% charged so I didn't miss a minute of anything today. I checked out of my hotel and got my first Camino stamp in my pilgrim passport, I walked out of the hotel and burst into tears, I was overwhelmed with emotions at the fact that I was finally starting to walk today. I went down to the cafe I had lunch at yesterday as its one of only few places open early in the morning, I has some breakfast and coffee (not takeaway) and then got a few sweet biscuits for the road. It was 9.30am by the time I started walking, through the streets of Pamplona and then the climb started towards Alto del Perdon where the wind turbines are and the sculpture of the medieval pilgrims. Once I got though the walls of the town and out in the open I quickly realised how hot it was and how long today was going to be.... Up over the hills took me 6 hours and it was only 13.5km, and the down hill was just as slow, I had to make sure that I didn't fall flat on my face... By the time I walked into Uterga it was 4.30, I had covered 17.3km and I was pretty sure I was done for the day. I could feel I had been burnt on my legs and arms and the thought of being out in the heat for another 3 hour to make it to Puente la Reina was not a smart option. So as I rounded the last corner of Uterga there was a hotel (Albergue) called Casa Baztan and that is where I ended my day... There were only 3 beds left and I was lucky to secure one and started to settle in, shower and relax, chatting with the other people who where lodging there with me until our 7pm dinner slot. Dinner was devoured quickly by all and I am now finally taking a moment to write. It has been a full on day and on one hand I am disappointed I didn't make the whole 23.8km I had originally planned, but I am already coming to realise that the Camino doesn't like it when you have to much of a plan...... Tomorrow I will be up earlier so I can get some kilometres in before it gets to hot Today I am grateful for The 2 American sisters I met and the banter we shared as we continuously kept passing each other along the way, encouraging each other to keep going.
- comments