Camino: Zubiri to Zabaldika

01/05/19

A bright sunny day leaving Zubiri. The kind of day that urges you to take your socks & shoes off & linger longer at a sunny cafe. Unfortunately, no rest for the weary. I had plans for this day! Big plans!

Staying with the sisters at the convent in Zabaldika came highly recommended & turned out to be a highlight of the trip. It was my first stay that didn't allow for reservations so I was a speed devil to get to the convent to secure one of the 18 coveted beds. I ended up with the first bag in line (pilgrims highly respect the bag line at aubergues) so while waiting for the convent to open, I had time to journal and do a bit of painting. Following a tasty communal meal, we adjourned to the church belfry for an evening of song, prayer & sharing with fellow pilgrims.

13K to Zabaldika (population 400)

These are green post it notes filled with pilgrim wishes for prayers by the sisters.

A bit of an overachiever... first in line for a bed

Camino: Roncesvalles to Zubiri

30/04/19
After clearing the Pyrenees & Roncesvalles, I wasn't prepared for the tough downhill & rocky slog to Zubiri. Somehow you get it in your head that the Pyrenees are the tough days you have to prep for, but it's just the first challenge in a long adventure. The small wiggly rocks were unstable & required poles & careful foot placement for mile after mile. I was so glad to cross the Puenta de la Rabia bridge (named for the belief that if animals were led over the bridge three times they would be cured of rabies) into Zubiri & spend a few moments enjoying the icy cold of the river on my hot & tired tootsies. Here I met Mr. Blister, a fellow with a pair of particularly gnarly feet. 
I stayed at a lovely aubergue, Suseia, with a communal meal and grassy courtyard that served as my outdoor yoga studio. My yogi, Caryn, would be proud

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22k to Zubiri (population 400)

Aubergue Suseia