Puente de la Reina

This morning we woke up at 6 and hit the road. It was really cool and overcast which was awesome. Sebastian from England, Adam from South Korea, Marcus - professor at Notre Dame-awesomeeee, and myself stuck together for the most part of the day. We went past windmills, beautiful scenery, and pretty flat minus a few climbs. The highest climb of the day ended on top of this mountain. It was sooo windy and had a pretty cool iron depiction of pilgrims on the camino. My picture is at this point. We rested up there for awhile taking in the view and the wind. I met a guy from the hostel we are staying at tonight up there. He was taking bags from pamplona to his hostel for those who cant or dont want to carry their backpack.. Yes that's an option but i have carried mine everyday. Anyway, the guys name was Wander... Just like WANDER WOMAN! He is from the DR, did the camino and deckded to move here amd work flr the hostel. When I found out his name I knew I wanted to stay here. The weather stayed enjoyable all day as we walked through old villages and towns, stopped for lunch at a sweet restaurant along the route, and we ended in Puerta la Reina. The hostel we are staying at is WANDERful, it is pretty new. Its only 2pm and I'm looking forward to just chilling for the rest of the day. Blister update: an old lady who ran the hostel we stayed at yesterday totally hooked me up. She had a hospital in a bag and when I showed her my feet she knew just what to do. She disinfected, took like a shot thing and reversed it- sucked out all the puss, and put some stuff on it with a gauze cover. As for my shoes- I ditched my boots (literally left them in Pamplona) and am just wearing sneakers. The old lady is such a genius she also fixed my sneaks for me. I now have a new way to lace them up with less pressure on the toes, anddddd a new way to soak up the moisture which causes the blisters. Don't be grossed out but she took female pads and put them on the insoles of my shoes, absorbs moisture and pads my feet. It was really funny when she told me but I mean... After my 22km walk today, my old blisters are looking better and no new ones. WA-HOOO!

I feel like I'm finally into the swing of things with the camino. I am into a routine of walking, hostels, eating along the way, and things like that. Meeting new people along the way is super fun. Everyday new people, from new countries, from young to old, on bikes and foot, and all doing the same thing you are. Sometimes people stop and walk with you for minutes, hours, or just pass by. It's exciting and makes the km/mi/whatever go by quickly. The guidebook I have is awesome. It gives a detailed map with descriptions of water fountains, directions, hostels, bars/restaurants, everything. It lays out about 19-30km days for you, but you are free to go as far as you would like to go. I have stuck to the book for the most part minus my day off to rest my feet and knee which after today I can say was the smartest thing I have done so far.

Everyone asks you why you are walking the camino that you meet- fellow pilgrims or locals. I feel bad because I don't have my answer yet. I mean I have ideas but nothing set in stone. I think about it each day but I just don't know exactly. I will let you know as soon as I work out an answer that I like enough to share. Good thing walking the camino from 6am-3pm gives you plenty of time to think. Today was the first day I took out my iPod during the day (it blocks out the snoring at night). My walk was awesome today and I went much faster with the music. Something about DEFYING GRAVITY as I went up the hill and DON'T STOP BELIEVING as I took in the scenery provided for a overall, awesome day.


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