I sometimes forget that I am a little clausterphobic... (sp?)but I was reminded in the small hours of this morning, when I awoke and perceived the air in the room to be somewhat depleted of oxygen. Someone had closed the big windows at the other end of the dorm and the nice breeze that had been moving through earlier was gone. It was hot, and there at least 14 other people in the room using up my air! I calmed myself by ripping my sleeping bag open and planning an exit from the room. It was unecessary though as I drifted back into a half sleep and waited for the morning light.
I didn´t have to wait for the light because by 0545 people were getting up and ready to sprain their ankles from walking in the dark. Even Jonathon was up by 0630, and we were on the trail shortly afterward. I don´t fully understand why people want to be up so early but I think it boils down to two things; beating the heat of the day and getting a bunk at the next albergue. I don´t mind the heat, but I´m not big on the competition for beds and vow never to come back to the Camino Frances in early August. Tonight we are installed in a place in Logroño which Jonathon said looks like a prison - I have to agree with him. But, it beat lining up for two hours to get into the other Parochial Albergue... I hope. They wanted to give us mats on the floor but I said my back would not likely tolerate a mat (and no my nose is not growing) so he showed us to the special dorm with real bunkbeds and bars on the windows. I think they would like us to join them at mass later on, but I plan on eating at that time, so they will have to do that without our company.
The walk today was mainly through farms and vineyards. It was pretty in the early morning light and stayed cool almost all the way to Logroño, so we were here by about 1200. Logroño is a pretty city with lots of pedestrian malls so it is quiet and easy to get around by foot. Unfortunately the museum is closed for renovation so that leaves blogging here at the Hotel Marques de Vellajo, the park and eating ice cream for this afternoon. Later, we´ll head back to the Albergue for a change of clothes and provided they let us out again, we´ll head out to one or more of the many little tapas bars that line the backstreets of the city. There must be over 100 of them and as such, it will be a good chance for us both to try some local cuisine. The bus leaves at a leisurely 0930 tomorrow for Bilbao, so we can let the rest of the pilgrims in our luxury dorm get under way before climbing out our bunks.
I didn´t have to wait for the light because by 0545 people were getting up and ready to sprain their ankles from walking in the dark. Even Jonathon was up by 0630, and we were on the trail shortly afterward. I don´t fully understand why people want to be up so early but I think it boils down to two things; beating the heat of the day and getting a bunk at the next albergue. I don´t mind the heat, but I´m not big on the competition for beds and vow never to come back to the Camino Frances in early August. Tonight we are installed in a place in Logroño which Jonathon said looks like a prison - I have to agree with him. But, it beat lining up for two hours to get into the other Parochial Albergue... I hope. They wanted to give us mats on the floor but I said my back would not likely tolerate a mat (and no my nose is not growing) so he showed us to the special dorm with real bunkbeds and bars on the windows. I think they would like us to join them at mass later on, but I plan on eating at that time, so they will have to do that without our company.
The walk today was mainly through farms and vineyards. It was pretty in the early morning light and stayed cool almost all the way to Logroño, so we were here by about 1200. Logroño is a pretty city with lots of pedestrian malls so it is quiet and easy to get around by foot. Unfortunately the museum is closed for renovation so that leaves blogging here at the Hotel Marques de Vellajo, the park and eating ice cream for this afternoon. Later, we´ll head back to the Albergue for a change of clothes and provided they let us out again, we´ll head out to one or more of the many little tapas bars that line the backstreets of the city. There must be over 100 of them and as such, it will be a good chance for us both to try some local cuisine. The bus leaves at a leisurely 0930 tomorrow for Bilbao, so we can let the rest of the pilgrims in our luxury dorm get under way before climbing out our bunks.
1 comment:
I hope you will be able to take some leisurely time to enjoy the Guggenheim - inside and out. All the best on the rest of your adventure/pilgrimage.
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