Good morning or afternoon depending where you are you better get a glass or cup of your favorite beverage I feel a long post coming on.
So after I posted last night I begged some more milk and had a glorious cup of tea. Another lady pilgrim arrived late so including me there were 7 of us and they all opted for a lower bunk so I took the one most out of the way, hard to do, upper bunk.
I have been privileged in my life to meet some very interesting and some famous people especially sports personalities so I was shocked when I realized I was in the presence of the entire French sincrinizded Olympic snoring team!!!!!!!!!! It was like a melody of sorts and I think it has put the final nail in the coffin of me staying in hostels unless there is no other place.....after a hard days walk I do need some solitude and I sure need my sleep and I guess I will never understand the logic of setting your alarm for 5.45am and getting up rustling those plastic bags and the zip and unzipping of the back packs and leave around 7.30am....it makes no sense because the hostels usually do not open till 4pm so they are just hanging around town waiting for this. Today is a prime example I was the last one to leave after having a great egg sandwich and milk laden tea and was on the road by 8am.....it is not a race but I finally passed them all around noon....so i think private is the way for me to go more expensive but well worth it....I do not want to sound like I am complaining and some of the people I have spoken to part of their journey is the hostel life.....after one week what I feel about myself is that I really enjoyed walking the first whole day with Matt but after that I am really happy walking on my own of course I socialize with every one and the ones I pass I always walk their speed and talk for a few minutes...for example with Eliza we would walk together for a while and then separate and no ones feelings were hurt.
This morning the sun had gone and was replaced by dark clouds and cooler temperatures but great to walk.
These boys seem happy especially when I am feeding them!
When I see one of these rigs I always think of Roy..
..I had the honor of spending 6 years taking him out every week day he was one of the three most wonderful, honorable and loving men I have known. He started out with nothing and became a multi millionaire owning a fleet of logging trucks......the hours we spent together he could not remember due to his illness but his smile was infectious and when we would meet people who knew him they were always kind to him and Roy would smile sometimes when I saw those same people again in the restaurant where I worked they would tell me that Roy was a true gentleman and in his business no contracts were made just handshakes......rest in hockey heaven Roy!!
Quite flat and easy and walked through a couple of towns
A Mexican Tope or speed bump!!
So I was humbled again today when Brian from London came walking towards me and stopped
He has taken the Interior route to Santiago another 850km and now is on his way back but going on the same route as me but in reverse so another 850km and it must be so hard to follow the directions going the opposite way...we chatted for a few minutes and finally I meet someone with the same feelings..he told me he stopped using the hostels after about 6 days same complaint as I have!!!! Way to go good luck!!
and then the next 10km by the side of a not busy highway before entering the woods again for the final high climb of the Camino for me 1200 feet and opening up to the views of the spectacular city Bilbao!!!
Eliza if you read this today I left a message for you on the way which you will I hope see tomorrow.
It was a downhill walk to the city center
and i found the Tourist office
and the young lady was so very helpful she showed me how to get to Estitxu's house, where to get fresh fruit at a big market, where tomorrow I can get the tourist hop on and hop off bus, the best way to see a new city and get your bearings and then I asked if there was a pool in the centre and she directed me to a huge indoor swimming pool right down town ......
if anyone has the nerve to comment on my sticky out ears, lack of muscles or buck teeth there will be a life time blog ban and i mean it this time!!!!
unfortunately there was no hot tubs but I flayed and played in the water for an hour good tonic and then a 20 minute hot shower and I felt really good.
On the way to the pool I passed this place
and it looked so inviting
MMM good
and the best burger for years!!!!!!!
I did not know that Bimbo was here in Europe it is bread company owned by the second richest man in the world a Mexican Carlos Slim!!
Estitxu will not be home till 8.30pm so I had lots of time and just took my time eating relaxing and writing this.
From here I will go back to the Tourist office and post it and then it will be time to walk to the flat where I know I shall have 2 good nights sleep.
Today was an easy walk of 25km and it was just a week ago that Malc was dropping me off at Manchester ...boy I have done a lot since then!!
So about Rafa winning the French Open again what an athlete and what about them Kings one game away from the Stanley Cup...if you do not know what that is well...........what can I say Google it!!!
What I learned today :
Going down hill especially steep downhill is harder
The women in this country are very beautiful
The women in this country are very beautiful and they smoke!!!!
I still have the best friends
I am going to enjoy tomorrow
I don't like Nike but I do like their logo.."Just do it"
I cannot go into much detail but there was one part of my life I needed to sort out in my heart and mind and after 6 days I think I have....I know i can only control my thoughts my actions and my dreams and the roads I travel and i will....
Well tomorrow the boots will get a well deserved rest and I am looking forward to the day.
I am receiving so many e mails of good wishes and I thank you all for them and for those few of my so called friends will you stop e mailing me and telling me what you had for supper!!!
Yashi Kochi!!!
She then took me to her school as she had to go there to get some papers
and dropped me off to explore the city!!!
My first stop was the Guggenheim Museum
I think you know I am not all that keen on museums preferring the open outdoors but this was amazing not only on the outside but inside one of the shows was an exhibition of Yoko Ono.....I was happy to get half price admission for a senior they give you the audio
and i spent 2 hours here and really enjoyed myself ..it is hard to describe the building just so different Google it for all the details!!
That last photo was all beautiful flowers!!
I then toured other sights
Instead of paying 14 Euros I decided for 2 Euros to take the tram and tour the city and I did enjoy!!
and then went back to the tourist office to have some more questions when who do I meet coming out but Eliza!!!!! So happy to see each other and we went for a drink
and then went together to the cultural center
For a snack tomorrow!!
With hugs and bets of seeing each other again we parted company and I walked through the old part of town and home for 6pm
Estitxu was marking papers so I am sat in the living room in a leather reclining arm chair with a foot stool writing this...I know a pilgrim's life is a tough one!!!!
So a day of rest and it was a good feeling to leave Wolf at home and also my shoes.....now i am planning the next stages i am done with the high hill climbs and should be back by the ocean soon....I feel energized and ready to go tomorrow I have bought fruit, meat and have my drinks in the fridge for tomorrow...
Things i learned today.
The Camino does in fact provide.
Bilbao is a vibrant city
I have great friends
New friends become good friends very quickly
Yashi Kochi!!!
