Day Off in Pamplona

Today we took a much needed rest day in Pamplona. We let ourselves sleep in until 9 and then had breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast we washed some of our socks and shirts in the sink and hung them up on a makeshift clothesline in our room. Before siesta, we set out to explore the city. We went to the cathedral in town and got our pilgrim passport stamped. It was a lovely old church and we got a discount to go in because we are pilgrims. 

Outside the church were two really odd, really huge baby head statues. One was asleep and one was awake...odd.

We also explored the plaza in the middle of the city.

Abe then decided that since we weren't going to see the running of the bulls that we should walk the path that the bulls take. We started where they keep the bulls in pens and walked all the way to the Palza de Toros. It was actually a short walk but like Abe said, "How long would you like to run with bulls chasing you?" While walking around, we saw many pilgrims arrive in Pamplona after a long day of walking. I almost felt guilty having a rest day while many of the people we had met previously were walking on without us. 

Because it was siesta, and nothing was open, we came back to the hotel and napped (we had to take full advantage of our day off). The rest day has done wonders for our feet and spirits. Steve is still having knee pain, but we bought him two knee braces (I also wear knee braces on both knees when we walk). So far only Steve and I have blisters, but those are feeling better after just one days rest.  

For dinner we went to two local bars and had pinchos. Pinchos are small appitizer dishes that the Spanish eat around 7 PM (they usually eat dinner at 9 PM). They usually come with a glass of wine and are extremely cheap (1 glass of wine and 1 pincho for 2 euros?! Cant beat that!). After serveral pinchos we stopped at an ice cream store for a treat. Abe and Jacob had dulce de leche, which was the most delicious ice cream ever. If given the opportunity, definitely give it a try, you won't be disappointed! 

(This was his "best ice cream ever" face) 

Before returning to the hotel for the night, we stopped at an outdoor store and bought Steve a proper raincoat. When we shopped before we left, a salesman at REI convinced him to buy a poncho. Little did we know that it would rip on it's second day of use. Ponchos just dont compare to a good raincoat. The boys also picked up rain pants (they were jealous of mine, mom) and Jake got a fleece. We are all set for starting our camino again tomorrow. It is supposed to rain here for the next few days, so our purchases were necessary ones. 

Buen camino from a chilly and overcast Pamplona!