Pamplona!

I guess there are some benefits to jet lag.  Since we still haven't adjusted to the time change, we been waking up early, beating the heat, and getting to our next location early. This morning, we were able to get up by 5 a.m., and on the trail by 5:30 AM.

This is by far the earliest that we have gotten out on the trail and the quickest that we have ever got ready in the morning. With temperatures projected to be in the mid nineties to low 100's next week, it's going to be imperative that we are off the trail by 1 p.m.

As we emerged from our Albergue at 530, we needed a flashlight for about the first 30 minutes. The trail was clearly marked in the walking relatively easy, so we were in no real danger of getting lost.

We didn't see anyone on the trail for about the first hour and a half until we came upon the next town and met with some late risers just getting on the trail. at the next town, we stop for some breakfast and coffee at a cafe that caters to pilgrims.  We see lots of these on the Camino.

It was a nice 13 mile day into Pamplona.  We found our Albergue by 12pm, showered, shopped, cooked, eat and slept....our routine.  Now that we are in the swing of things,  we can focus more on our spiritual journey,  being thankful for all of our blessing.   You're looking at this pilgrimage in three aspects: spiritual growth, fellowship amongst our family and other programs, and helping out fellow pilgrims.

It is also different because now we are at our starting point from our last Camino and things will not be new to us.  We know what to expect from the upcoming towns. Tomorrow, Sunday, will be difficult because many of the shops and restaurants will be closed.   We are also looking at a 15 mile day tomorrow up the hill of forgiveness. We're going to strive to be on the trail by 5 a.m. and be done by 1 p.m. before the 90 degree heat kicks in.