Day 8- July 8

Today was a day of chasing my tail around Spain. I got up early with everyone else, went across the street to have a pilgrim breakfast which consists of bread, butter, homemade jam, and coffee. My goal for the day was to get my shoes back, and then taxi up to meet Deb about halfway through the day’s walk. It was a beautiful morning and I was excited to get back on the trail. 

When I talked to my friend Debbie, she said that they were still in Zubiri, and that I could probably get there before they left to walk for the day. So, I waited at the bus stop and eventually was picked up and taken back into Pamplona. Pamplona was full of people who had been celebrating all night and were either drunk or hung over, wearing the same clothes from the day before. Since I had just read in the bus the day before from Zubiri to Pamplona, I knew exactly where to go to catch the bus back to Zubiri. However, what I didn’t factor in is that the buses don’t run on that far Sunday. And, half of the population of Spain we’re trying to get home after a long night of partying.

My only option was to taxi back, get my shoes, and then taxi all the way to meet Deb at the walking location. There was a line a mile long of people waiting for a taxi at the bus station. I waited in that line for a long time, and realized I was not going to be able to get a taxi there. Once again being American, blond, and a backpacker worked against me. I even got desperate enough to ask a passing by policeman if he could help me figure out how to get to Zubiri. No one wanted to help me. I decided to keep walking around while looking for a taxi. When I jaywalked across the street, another policeman lectured me from his car window. It was the car right behind the policeman that saved me. It was an empty taxi!! I got inside and thanked the man for stopping. I’m not even going to tell you how much that cost. Suffice it to say my $125 Brooks had just increased significantly in price.

I made it to Uberga around noon, and was told that Deb had left a few minutes earlier so I got on the trail immediately. It was so refreshing to be back on the trail walking, even though it was 89°. I was walking alone, enjoying my time, and thankful to be there enjoying the beautiful sites. I walked for several miles and never caught up with Deb. I passed a forest fire on the trail, complete with fireman and emergency vehicles. I saw a beautiful churches, towers, and wildlife.

Just as I was getting into the last town on this leg, I heard someone yelling from behind. Deb was behind me the whole time. She had stopped to look at an old church, well I had moved on ahead and I never saw her.

We ended up walking additional mile and a half looking for a place to stay. We finally found a great private room and we’re very thankful to take off those packs. For dinner, we found a local restaurant and ordered some interesting choices. I ordered chicken Cordon Bleu and when the lady brought my entrée it was a fish with a face on my plate!! I had to, of course send it back, and a while later the lady brought me a plate with a square of breaded meat on it. When I cut into it I realize that cordon blue is not just chicken, but I guess can also be beef? To say the least it was an interesting meal. Debs flan came in a metal container with a paper lid and she said it tasted nothing like flan. I did have an amazing caprice salad for an appetizer though.

Fun fact for the day: in Spain you can get wine, beer, cigarettes, cigars, and diapers all from a vending machine. Time to step it up America.

All in all, I’m back in business. I did talk to Joe a couple of times for his birthday, and it looked like he had a great day. I’m still sad I missed it, but I am also very happy to be here experiencing this awesomeness.