St. James Way

34th Hiking Day

On the way from Roncesvalles to ... let's see. Nothing booked yet. After all, it is Spain. I am still very happy with my decision to walk the Camino Frances. Met new people, or met new girls, I should rather say: Sam and Laura. Shook things up for sure. Too fresh to write about.

So: Richard. I already miss him. I can’t forget his joke about the man who sews his arm back on. Then: one thumb up, one thumb down. Now I should slowly pass the place where the Englishman with the long dreadlocks last time peed into the bushes on the left. Remarkable moment. In addition, a melting pot of languages here at the border: German, English, French, Spanish. But that's exactly what I want. Convoys of pilgrims storm the small grocery store. Good money behind Roncesvalles. And of course the girls. And Paul in between. What's the recipe for not being torn? Mingling great. When we separate, I stand there lost and awkwardly don't know what to do. On the other hand, there are definitely bigger problems in this world. But there is something going on. I feel that. And to be honest: even if it kept me up during the night, it is a wonderful feeling of excitement, but also a pleasant quietness afterwards. My goodness. Tears in the church with Sam! And then after 3 minutes we took her out immediately and dragged her to the bar to celebrate. What a mess. Must have been a unique moment for her. Definitely a fun moment.

I have the feeling that I'm becoming more and more like Yves: at some point you just don't care about anything. Getting completely undressed in front of others: no problemo. At some point you have to take countermeasures.

French efforts should also not diminish and under no circumstances. Don't give up on everything just like that. Make decisions with a calm mind.

Slept at Zubiri. Pretty worn out after the drinking last night. There is just no end in sight. No question that I'll miss Paul. Good old sport. Well, I am in an albergue with Sam, Laura, Julia and Sophie. I just have to loosen up a little, although it doesn't get any better if someone watches me while I am writing this. Even if the 2nd day was soso, a thousand times - but at least considerably - better than the 2nd day with Marzia.

Just visited the known places in Zubiri. The restaurant "Valentin", behind the bridge on the left, where we had breakfast the next morning before the march. The place behind the bridge on the right hand side at the shore of the river, where we had a few beers and exchanged food. And then of course the bridge itself, over which Karen from Jamaica proudly marched into town one evening. Earlier I imagined what it must have been like for her when she crossed the bridge and then looked to the right at us sitting there. Then of course the restaurant on the main street, where we sat together and I ate bocadillo with sausage. All terribly interesting places and it's fun to remember the details. Really fascinating how the events overlap in the same places and I stitch them back together. Incidentally, I have the feeling that here I succeed in everything I put my hands on. You have to give the people time and rest. I want to try that out today. And then afterwards I will go to »Valentin« for dinner with Sophie. I just have to be myself.