Day 9 – Villatuerta to Los Arcos
25k – 135k todate
A little longer day was scheduled today to get to my schedule of Los Arcos. The first village I passed through was Estella and there were several old (medieval) style Church’s and arches still in use. It was great to see those old structures still standing and being used. The main Church was very impressive. From there, it was up the hill to Irache, the home of a monastery that produces wine for support. They have a fountain installed next to the path that has two spickets, one for their wine and the other for water. Pilgrims are encouraged to partake of the wine and refill their water bottles. I did have a taste of the wine and my guess it is the wine that doesn’t make it to the commercial sales, but it is a great stopping point.
From there to Los Arcos, is 19k with just one village in between. This a a big difference from walking through villages and towns every 3k to 6k. After stopping in the last village for a late breakfast, it was 13k more to my night’s hostel. With about 5k to go, just when you are about out of gas and water, you come over a hill and an entrepreneur has a food cart setup, a true oasis. I stopped there for my lunch, a hamburger (emphasis on ham) that at that point tasted great! The it was mostly downhill to Los Arcos and a bed.
As I entered Los Arcos, I found that most hostels were full, Aaron from Austin saw me and led me to a side street where he found one with beds still left, I believe they all filled up last night, we even had several beds that were shared (with people that new each other) to cram more into our hostel. I might need to start making reservations on long days. Aaron and I had a nice dinner in the city center area. Aaron’s dad was born in Canyon, where I was born, he thinks that is amazing. Before coming to walk the Camino, he went to climb Mt. Kilamjaro and climbed it. He quit his job and is traveling.
As far as meeting and seeing people, it is very easy. I am seeing a lot of the same people daily. I and they like having a familiar face or a name to say hi. My general practice is to just sit at a table that is already got a few pilgrims and they are always glad to add someone to their conversation or company.
More tomorrow.
Luke 6:31