Los Arcos

5/20/20019
Today started late, we got to walking at 10 am which is unheard of in my world, but turns out was a good thing.
Yesterday Bill walked with this lovely Korean guy who joined us for a meal at a walk break, nicest person who also stayed in our same hostel the night before, he was so considerate that when he couldn’t sleep in a room of 10, he got up at about 5 am and instead of disturbing all of us, he just stood in the middle of the dormitory cross armed for about an hour, I know as I was awake and watching him, and worrying
He and bill were chatting and dumb bill said what’s you name,
Said the Korean,,,,,Myong Ook
Oh, nice to meet you Myong Ook
No no no no said Myong,   It’s Myong Ook
Thats what I said,,,,,,said Bill,,,,,Myong Ook
No,,,no,,,no said !myong Ook, emphasizing the pronunciation,,,Myong Ook
Got it said bill, Myong Ook
Said !yong,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,just call me Martin
',,,,,,,,,are you kidding me .........?.....
the streets of Estella this morning were quiet and as we passed the cathedral on the hill leaving town, I felt like I was back on the Camino for the first time this visit. The last few days were cold And wet and miserable, and my mind was elsewhere. I think we pushed on so hard because the storms were coming from the west, and we were heading out of them by going west, doesn’t matter really, I guess the Camino was trying to teach me something.

Hiking along the Navarna Valley with the castle walls like cliffs off to the north

Leaving town, we came to this blacksmith who was making by hand, amazing metal art, would have lived to buy some but I’m not carrying another ounce

Soon into the walk we came to the wine fountain where they serve 100 liters a day free to pilgrims, from the fountain, I had a sip and moved on. The owners grandfather said any pilgrim could never have the fortitude to reach Santiago without wine, what a good lad, so now the family continue the tradition.

We walked into Azqueta, a tiny village where i met my friend Pablito four years ago. Pablito is an old man who like to make walking sticks for the pilgrims, he gave me a stick I used all the way to the end, I don’t like walking with a stick,but out of respect, I did this for him. He taught me how to use one properly which sounds silly, but I learned something.
 Coming into town today I had a little bit of a hollow feeling in my gut, was he still alive, he was a big part of my last Comino. I didn’t go to his house but asked the lady at the local store, she said he was alive and well and he would love to see me. Bill convinced me to go and I’m glad. We went to #2 and knocked, I had a picture of he and I and he was really happy to see me, my heart was exploding and I’m not that kind of guy

Pablito and I today, one of us bought a new shirt

Four years ago with the walking stick he gave me

bill, Kaz and Pablito outside his home

Pablito gave us all Clam Shells to hang on our bags or necks, indicative of a pilgrim walking, he invited me back in another four years, ,,,,,,,talk about man tears.  Fantastic to connect again with a spirit I can’t even communicate in language with with. This is the Camino
Walking into town after a medium length day, we saw the entrepreneur who had set up a trailer to feed the pilgrims, we took a break,,,, and a beer

The end of a great day,,,,,,,,,welcome home Mr Pat