Camino day #6.

We walked from Pamplona to Uterga today which is roughly 8.4 miles. This route is called "the Hill of Forgiveness". In medieval times there was a pilgrim hospital at the summit (where the artwork of pilgrim sets now) and if you made it up the climb then all your sins were forgiven if you happened to die on the Camino.  

 We climbed 1100 feet elevation.  I'm beginning to think Spain is all mountains. The mountain is lined with windmills. Really cool sounds with all the winds and windmills turning. 

We have lost our original pilgrim friends along the way. Last we heard Mike from Cincinnati  he had cashed in his chips and went home because it was too difficult. He was 62+ and struggling with a huge backpack.He was a CFO and has written 4 books but apparently never read a camino guide book. 

We saw Jim and Camilla in Pamplona but didn't see them on the trail. The Dutch and Brits haven't been seen for 2 days. People start to spread out based on ability and stamina. 

People come and go on the trail--everyone tries to remember each others names and stories from chats along the miles. As an Irishman (mike) summed up as:  "talking to people on the way makes the road shorter". And he's absolutely correct.  He was hilarious...had us all laughing. 

Hostel etiquette. 

We are in a private hostel tonight. and got the last 2 beds at 1:50pm when we arrived. If they were sold out we would have had to walk another 3 miles to the next hostel. My dogs were barking, so I was very relieved to get a bed and throw my pack on the floor. 

Hostels are like camp--we have 8 bunk beds in one room with walking distance between them. One women's bathroom with one shower/toilet. One men's. I've seen alot of men in their underwear. Fortunately I'm a nurse and there are no surprises. 

The cool pilgrims got here first and took all the bottom bunks. Sam and I have top bunks across the room from each other ( very romantic).  You are so tired that it really doesn't matter. 

We are having a "pilgrim's dinner" tonight, as usual. Everyone sits all together in long tables. They are usually really good with lots of food and wine. No choices. If we got this same meal in Colorado Springs it probable wouldn't taste as good.  After eating fruit, cheese, M&Ms and croissants on the trail for breakfast and dinner--a hot meal tastes really good. 

Dinners have been fresh baked trout (smiling at ya), pork filets, soups , bread, ALWAYS French fries, yogurt for desert. I didn't know the Spanish love their greasy French fries with every lunch and dinner. If you finish the Camino in 6 weeks then you get a discount on your cardiac cath  and stent placement in Santiago.