Lights came on in albergue at 6 AM , with recording of Gregorian chant. Breakfast at nearby restaurant. A German psychology student (L.) told D. and I that we were “not old”. This information (however incorrect) buoyed us up considerably. We set out shortly before 8 AM , and I immediately recognized the albergue “La Posada” seen in the film “The Way”  – where the Martin Sheen character Tom spends his first night. Across from La Posada is the iconic “790km to Santiago” road sign seen in the film, now plastered over with stickers.

The Camino today at first passes through several villages. The road and building signage lets us know that from the point of the people living here, we are in Navarra, not Spain. The way then turns to more undulating woodland , as the days’ warmth increases. I book places for us in an albergue, while walking. Not wanting to eat more, we don’t stop much before we arrive in Zubiri in the afternoon and have a late lunch at a cafe. Now starting pilgrim daily routine of finding / checking into albergue, taking shower, washing clothes, and resting. Then, not really knowing what to do with myself, I went down to the river. Some pilgrims were already there cooling off. D. and I met new people -an English poet and spouse, as well as a world-traveling retired couple from Napa Valley, among others.

The albergue had an inviting common area, where we hung out after dinner.  Met two new people from Germany, (A. and C.)  and connected with family back home via Zoom. Then to bunk bed at 10 PM (after repeated admonitions from host).