Rest Day.
Feelings: Henk - Relaxed, Neil - Relaxed, Di - Relaxed
The medieval walled city of Pamplona was a good choice for a rest day. At nine o'clock and after having a tasty European breakfast at the hotel's large conservatory we set off in search of a laundromat. There were very few on the street apart from the cafe staff setting up tables for the day and the cleaners cleaning up after the previous evening's activities. With our little Spanish we found a laundromat on the large Plaza del Costillo where we had spent the previous evening. We met a Canadian couple in their sixties at the laundromat packing their clean clothes and who were clearly frustrated at not being able to secure beds at one of the pilgrim hostels (albergue). They said many of the walkers were leaving very early to secure their next bed. They had also heard that there were many more walkers on the Camino for this time of year.
We had morning coffee watching the city come awake on the Plaza del Costillo just like Ernest Hemingway did when he came to Pamplona in the late 20's and early 30's. He is remembered throughout the city with streets, statues and eating places named after him. Hemingway apparently loved sitting in the plaza and we have learned that it is the heart of the town and where bullfights took place until 1893.
We saw many pilgrims with their walking sticks and shells coming and going through the city. We once again saw the couple using a golf buggy to carry one of their backpacks.
We spent the latter part of the morning at the impressive Pamplona Cathedral. It is large and also has an extensive museum attached to it. The King's Mausoleum created of alabaster in 1415 was exquisite.
At one o'clock we needed to have lunch before the shops started closing for the afternoon. We had very tasty tapas at a local bar and once again used our Spanish to order.
We followed the old, narrow cobbled streets where the Running of the Bulls is held for seven days each July. We three decided only fools would undertake the run on the slippery, stony streets. The route ends at a large bull ring at the edge of the old town.
Henk and I followed Spanish tradition and had a siesta whilst Neil continued to explore the old city. Henk went out later to have another look around and it was quite hot.
We met in the foyer at six o'clock and set out for a night on the town. We were expecting more excitement given it was a Friday evening and we weren't disappointed. There was a large medieval market lining the many narrow streets and plazas with stall holders dressed in medieval costume. We sat in the plaza enjoying a drink and people-watched like everyone else. After dinner we came across a silent protest of over 100 well-dressed middle-aged people holding placards demanding Basque independence. The silence made a powerful statement as they made their way to the Plaza del Costillo.
When we returned to the hotel at nine o'clock the party looked like it was just starting! Tomorrow is about 24kms so we'll try and get away as soon as possible.
Rest days sound like my idea of heaven!
ReplyDeleteLyn