Day 8: Viana - Navarette, 22 km.
It's been a really long, at times rough, definitely painful, and many times wonderful day. There were many fun and super cool times like meeting 2 priests in an order that helps alcoholics and prostitutes in their recovery. I contributed to their service work by buying handmade rosaries intricately woven with strings by Brother Antonio. As I am discovering, every day on the Camino is a unique experience...physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. It's a LOT and the Camino is always serving up something different for everyone!!
Today there was a choice of having it be a 10km day, which is way shorter then most pilgrims choose to walk, or a 22 km day. There was nothing in between. Dear Marina's (the English gal I've been walking with recently) ankle has been giving her trouble and it’s only gotten more aggravated. She was being a real trooper and walking through the pain. She didn't want to stop early in Logrono, the only stop on the way to Navarette. Once we passed that city there was nowhere for another 12.5 km so we made our way slow and steady.
We arrived in Navarette later than usual, it was already 8pm. One of the challenges that can arise when getting to town late, is finding an available bed to bunk in for the night. I made the decision that I would not book anything in advance, feeling like I wanted to walk the Camino as close to the way is had been walked for 100's of years, carrying my goods on my back and walking until I find a place to take me in.
This evening, we weren’t easily finding a place to stay so we wandered (which is just more walking) for an hour. That was my fault, bless Marina for indulging me, as by this time I felt I wanted a private room and not a bunk bed with 10 other people in the same room which is the classic set up in the albergues. I needed some rest. Some quiet. A hot bath would be amazing.
The Camino provides, we found a private room, a lovely meal, and the vino Tinto tasted all the better have been so well earned. Gratitude abounds!
