Day 15 June 3 Viana to Logrono

6.5 miles. 16,071 steps

9.5 total including wandering around

It's 3:15 We're in a lovely hotel room with streets of tapas bars and a lovely square with a fountain surrounding us. I just had lunch of white wine and a salted mushroom quinoa salad and a bath in a big tub. Ah, the life of THIS peregrina at THIS moment. 

We should call this Camino, Camino On the Fly.  We decided last night that we would take the bus into Logrono, have a day to look around and continue on. That changed this morning when we decided to walk into Logrono. It was a pleasant 6 mile walk to our hotel which is located 2 minutes from the tapas street.  We'll stay 2 nights and explore this college town. 

Observations:

People know Seattle now when they ask where we are from. Why? The seahawks?

There is a prevalence of smoking.  Not indoors since the EU bans that.

No tipping- it's not customary nor expected.  Food service people are adequately compensated. 

These towns are safe and safer. Children play. Women bike/walk alone. 

It is still light at 10:30pm

No one even starts to think about eating until 8:30 at night and then the tapas bars and restaurants are open until after midnight. Life takes place in the streets.... Not families:)

Breakfast in Viana before leaving for Logrono.

Symbol of the Camino

Beautiful walk into town

Asian Peregrinos cover themselves from head to toe to protect from the sun, gloves, scarves over faces. 

Nice place for some  relaxation. A king sized bed- a first! 

Padron peppers

Cheesy delights

Calle Laurel

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Day 14 June 2 Los Arcos to Viana

12.5 miles 29,497 steps

Another day, another 12 miles.  We left about 7:45 which seems to be our pattern.  Breakfast ensued at this lovely albuergue about 4 miles down the path. 

It was here that we met a South Korean woman and two Canadian women from Vancouver with whom we spent many evening hours with once we all arrived in Viana. 

The weather was perfect with some cloud cover but enough warmth to keep us comfortable. Once again the landscape was gasp inducing. 

Leaving Los Arcos

We had the chance to take a short cut which I regretted due to its ski slope-like quality. After a certain amount of whimpering on my part, I live to tell about it. 

Today felt easier. The body did not speak so much and thus freed up the mind to wander. We talked earnestly about this Camino for us.  

 We realized that we really had not trained adequately to be prepared for the strenuousness of crossing the Pyrenees on the first days and the intensity of walking day after day.  Craig's prolonged cold and my busted knee disrupted our training schedule.  That coupled with perhaps a false sense of confidence from last year's Camino experience contributed to a tough start. The newness last year and the push to make it to Santiago probably helped with overcoming the physical discomfort. 

This year is shaping up differently. We have the time. We are letting the path, the places of interest, and our desires determine how far we walk and where we stay. 

For example, tomorrow we will get to Logrono, find a hotel, drop our packs and explore the city at a leisurely pace. 

That means that once again we will meet up with different people. 

I think our Korean friend was a little sad that we were parting ways but still we didn't exchange contact information; instead just hugged, said buen Camino and perhaps we'll meet again. Same with Mario. And the women from Vancouver. 

We did eventually get into the church for mass with a special blessing from the priest for each peregrino including a sprinkle if holy water. 

I'm not sure why today felt easier. Perhaps we are getting in shape. I know that the messages from home with news and words of encouragement really mean a lot.  Gratitude's a big deal:)