Day 4: Zariquiegui - Estella
Ivan Blanco
Zariquiegui sunrise moments
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After a wonderful people crossing the living room wake up, where the Italians and I were sleeping. We had the chance to witness one of the nicest sunrises I experienced in the whole Camino.
Fifth recommendation for the Camino: don't be picky on where you sleep, plastic rattling, people waking up early and sleeping anywhere are the norm.
Once I finished with another of my photo interviews, I headed out with Giulia and Nicola with the intention to reach Arcos on that day, but on the Camino only a few times things work out as planned, which is also a good, you'll see.
Travel shapes
Remembering a little the dreadful hills of St. Jean Pied de Port (check day 1 part 1 and part 2), I arrived at the Paso del Perdón, a unique vantage point where you oversee Pamplona's lands and the next road to Santiago. The attraction there are a few iron made pilgrim shapes that are part of every "Peregrino"s photo album. Letting Giulia and Nicola lead, I stayed a little bit more and mingled with other pilgrims, meeting a nice Italian journalists couple from San Remo, Stefano and Silvia, I talked with them about my photo project and we had a great conversation on communication and journalism.
"Spero vedervi presto a Nizza ragazzi !".
As back in Zubiri, I had again one bumpy ride downhill, with stones, roots and water made furrows. I went on however and managed to reach Puente de la Reina for a small pit stop. It was on my agenda as a place to sleep, but it felt like I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much as Zariquiegui. After 2 fruits and 2 croissants from the town's market, I went for a quick pic of the bridge that gives the town's name: Puente de la Reina (=The Queen's bridge).
San Remo & Nice
With Arcos as my final destination in mind, I headed out with still a couple of hours of pedaling. But I didn't have lunch, so I stopped in Lorca for some beer and one of our national dishes: Tortilla (Spanish omelette)! Don't confuse it with the Mexican ones, ours are fat and really tasty! The best one is made by my Mum (every Spaniard will tell you the same thing from theirs ;) ). When I was almost finishing, Giulia and Nicola, which I had left in front at Alto del Perdon, entered the same bar, and obviously another beer round had to be shared. It was also the first time I met another Italian with a long beard and which I won't see and get to know until later in the Camino.
Once I reached Estella, my first attempt to get a place to sleep failed, the first available Albergue was just filled up by a pilgrim in front of me, however, remembering my first Camino recommendation, I happily went on. I was still considering to ride further to Arcos (22km more), so I ended up in the tourism office to see what the route had to offer. Destiny might have taken me there again, because that was where I made one of the most lasting encounters of my Camino...
Stay tuned for day 5 of my Camino to discover who I met this time...