Day 3: Villava - (Zubiri) - Zariquiegui

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After having to call for decency to a group of elder Brits and tell them that not everyone wakes up at 5 am for the Camino, I started a new Camino day that was going to be a another great one.

Fourth recommendation for the Camino: you're an early bird? Pack your stuff the day before, put your alarm under your pillow and leave quietly!

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My favourite beer and my love in the background!

The first good thing was that I got an answer from my missing phone, some pilgrims found it on a Camino milestone and they were heading to Zubiri. Hesitating if I should wait in Villava, I finally went back to Zubiri (15 km each way) and, once there, to my surprise I found a bar selling my favourite beer: Estrella Galicia!

"Waitress, gimme a pint! "

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My phone rescuers and me

Second good thing was that my phone rescuers were already in Zubiri at noon, so I got my phone and even made new Camino friends. Obviously, another beer round had to be shared.

Muchas gracias Jose, Fernando y Juan, sois cojonudos!

I guess it finally had to be like this in order to make me redo the missing kms from my first day (see day 1 part 2).

After taking a quick peek around Pamplona, I left the city but got quite some problems to leave it. Trying to find the right yellow arrows (typical Camino signs), I got lost at least 3 times and happened to cross a few times another bike couple.

Having nightfall coming on me, I ended up in an unpronounceable town: Zariquiegui!

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Pamplona's pilgrim entry

I went to the first available Albergue and I guess that if you manage to say the town's name right 3 times in a row, you might get a free night... me I didn't!

I was glad to end up there because I found again the bikers couple, Nicola and Giulia. They're actually from Luca (Italy) and it was amazing to hear that they were doing the Camino for their honeymoon.

Another great thing? This Albergue had my favourite beer too!

Which ended up in me promoting it to everyone and have three Germans joining us for a few rounds until pilgrim's late night out... 11 pm (PS: some pilgrims even go to sleep at 9 pm) !

Day 2: Roncesvalles - Villava

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My second day of the St. James Way started a bit earlier than the day before, after wishing the best to the amazing Vicente (see Day 1 Part 2) my initial plan was to at least reach Pamplona or nearby.

Departing Roncesvalles with a tree full path, I really started to enjoy the beauty of nature without the steepness of the day before. My new first encounter was in Bizkarreta, where I met Jose and he recommended me a great place to eat in Zubiri.

I managed to reach this town around lunch time and I found Jose and his son Carlos who were actually from Sabadell and touring the region to sell trousers for chasing. It was a nice experience to meet people outside the Camino and the food was awesome.

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Bumpy downhills of Zubiri

Unfortunately, that was also when in realised that I lost my French phone, it could have been lost anywhere between Roncesvalles and Zubiri, a 26 km path with many bumpy downhills. Therefore the Camino had already taken something from me on the second day. 

Third recommendation for the Camino: buckle up your important gear thoroughly.

I almost wanted to stay in Zubiri, but the day was still long and I wasn't expecting to find my phone in the wilderness (it didn't give any tone when calling).

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Alfred and I

Forgetting my loss, I went down to Villava through one of the most beautiful and funniest paths of my Camino. I had chosen this town to avoid the crowd in Pamplona and meet people easier. That's where I met Alfred, my dorm neighbour with whom I quickly started to connect with stories and places we've visited. We had a great basque dinner and beers and I continued my photo project with him.  

It actually was more like meeting an old friend again and I'm glad of every moment we've spent together: Ich wünsche dir ein tollen Camino Alfred!