Day 5: Zariquiegui to Cirauqui (Wendy)

 

Luckily, I’m still here on the Camino. I checked my pack ahead to the next stop
so I wasn’t carrying an extra 25 pounds today. I also bought kinesio tape and a brace for my knee. That, plus minimizing the amount that I bent my knee, means that I made it to the end of today fairly pain free. Of course, now my right knee is very angry at the extra abuse it’s taken. So tape on both of them tomorrow. And checking my pack ahead again. But it was worth it for the amazingly peaceful walk today. Up and over a few hills, through tiny medieval villages, past our first olive trees and vineyards and windmills.

We climbed up the cobblestone streets of one such village to a lovely albergue where the charming owner donned a green toque to serve us all a delicious vegetarian dinner in the old wine cellar of the home. Met up with the Irish brothers again, and met an Aussie living in Boston (newly retired) and a woman from Huntington Beach who’d just come from Croatia (yes, also newly retired). The only possible downside is that said lovely albergue is literally across the square from the ancient bell tower of the church which so far chimes every quarter hour. Could be a long night between that and the snoring companions in our room. 



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