Saturday, May 28, Day 6 on the Canimo

Well we made it to Estelle and trekked 16.6 miles today. The weather was fairly warm but became cloudy in the afternoon. Yesterday the temperature were in the high eighties but today the were in the mid seventies.

We left fairly early in the morning, but found most of the pilgrims had already started. Most hostels ask the pilgrims to take if their shoes before entering and place them in a rack. This morning our shoes were the only in the rack, so even leaving at 7:30 isn’t early enough for most.

When we left Puente La Reina today we crossed over a beautiful stone bridge that we were told was the bridge that is depicted on the twenty euro. Apparently it too was built by the Romans during the time of the great Roman Empire.

The Camino was fairly busy today as we found that more pilgrims had started near here and some we call, “Day Pilgrim,” actually have their gear transported to their stop at night and then picked up in the morning for their next stop. Some pilgrims are just completing a few days to a few weeks, and some are coming back on the Camino where they left off. It’s a different experience for everyone, but for us I feel the true experience is walking with all your gear.

The Camino was very challenging in several places today. One in particular was a very step decent into a ravin that had steps two feet high, and then large boulders on the narrow path that was not wide enough for the Wheelie. Then on the other uphill side it was similar. A few bicyclest got there at the same time and it required two of them to get the bikes down and up. I actually helped push one of the bikes uphill so I could get the Wheelie up and it took a lot of effort to get the Wheelie through. All part of the Camino but I was contemplating my decision to bring the Wheelie again?

We made it to Estella around 2:30, which was an early day for us. Estella is a small town of 14,000 people, which has a rich Roman history. Many of the buildings, squares, roadways, and other features of the city were built at the height of the Roman Empire. The streets are similar to Pamplona as they are cobble and narrow. Houses and shops are mixed together in the four, five, and six story buildings on the narrow streets.
Business here close during the afternoon siesta more so than Pamplona as it is less of a tourist town. When we arrived the streets seemed eirly deserted as everything is closed. As is the custom in Spain, diner is close to none and the empty streets will be a buzz with people until well after midnight. For me as a visitor it’s a great experience.

We found a hostel just as we entered town, but it was a municipal hostel that is typical in Spain. It’s only 8 euros but are generally dorm style with no private runs. They are well run and fairly clean and popular with the pilgrims. We have been blessed to have found nice hostels, and ones with private rooms, and decided to find one. Unfortunately in most small villages there may not be a choice as we found out previously. However we found a tourist office and they found a hostela with a room for three across from the plaza.

Our room balcony looks out onto the plaza and I am hoping that it will be full of people tonight as it is Saturday. But, seeing from Pamplona, it doesn’t have to be a weekend to bring the Spanish out onto the streets at night. Diner will probably be within eyesight of our room as there appear to be many surrounding the plaza.

Tomorrow we will hopefully start out on the Camino again? There is a sixty percent chance of rain in the afternoon, so hopefully we can make the next little village before then.

Best wishes,

Ted