Making Friends in Dog Years: Los Arcos to Logroño

We hiked this day on May 25. I am a bit behind due to exhaustion and lack of WiFi (or wee fee as they call it here). We woke up in our sweet little albergue (Casa de la Abeula) and enjoyed a wonderful breakfast before heading out to walk one of the first back to back 30 KM days. Without a camera, I felt pretty helpless but luckily it was raining most of the morning, so I couldnt take photos without getting my phone wet. Eventually it cleared up and we saw the fullest, brightest rainbow I've seen in quite some time. This picture really doesn't do the rainbow justice.

I took it as a good sign, but as we came into the next town, we got bad news from Steve and Jacob. They were hurting bad. Really bad. Jake's knee was swollen and Steve's feet were aching. They were ready to be done. We called them a taxi, which took them to Logroño (the city where we were stopping for the night). Abe and I were now on our own, and we didn't want to stop until Santiago. 

We hiked by ourselves for quite some time. We passed millions of poppies along the road, quite a beautiful sight. 

We stopped to split an orange at one point and met South African brothers Tom and Ewan. They were a little older than us, but so kind and fun to walk with. We walked with them most of the day, discussing their schooling and jobs (both were into science which I loved)! 

Eventually we passed through a town and happened to arrive just as a group of school children were dancing. They were adorable! These Camino experiences are the ones that stay with you. These are the things you only see when you walk across a country. 

After a bocadillo, we continued on our way. 

Tom and I talked about the Camino experience so far and agreed that it was quite unique. He compared the friends you make here to friends you've had for years. You make friends and get to know them so well in such a short time that its like making friends in dog years. It made me laugh, but this comparison could not be more true. I've made friends here who I see daily. They ask how I am and remember when I've had an ache or pain. 

Eventually, we made it to Logroño and set off to find Jake and Steve, who were resting in the Pilgrim albergue. We got there, but the albergue was full. Steve informed us on the condition of the albergue (not so good) and we decided to move on to a hotel for the night. We had to go to three before finding an open room (keep in mind we had already walked 30 KM that day). I was determined to find a camera, and eventually did (YAY)! Finally we settled in for the night and discussed what Steve and Jake would do. They had made up their minds that they would travel to Barcelona and wait for us there. We got them set up with a hotel and train ticket and fell fast asleep by 9:00 PM. 

The next morning, we awoke bright and early, ready for another 30 KM day, but thats another post entirely. 

Buen Camino!