Day 2, Zarautz to Deba
“I am a slow walker, but I never walk back.” - Abraham Lincoln
Wowza, today was hard. This up the mountain down to the sea, up the mountain stuff is tough physically and mentally.
I ran into fellow pilgrims every mile or so. We’d chat for a bit and then our different paces set us apart again. I slowed down today. I had a decent pace yesterday and maybe even this morning, but this afternoon was slow.
A STEEP and slippery descent into Deba took my aches to a new level, haha.
I came into Deba a checked into the alburgue for tonight. A nice couple from New York gave me one of their extra Pilgrim Credentials (this is like a Camino passport that allows you to stay in the church run alburgues and I was having trouble getting one, the cathedral hours are suggestions at best). Many places besides the alburgues give you stamps as well, so you can see all the stops you made along the way. I feel like I’m official now.
The charge for tonight was 8€. It’s a bigger dormitory, and very basic, but it’s not too bad. They give you a disposable “sheet” to lay over the bed, no blankets, but I brought my sleep sack and I’ll wear my coat if I’m cold.
The fun part is that I’m seeing so many people that I’ve met along the way. I have a group to go to dinner with tonight. We are all showering and just hanging out for a couple of hours until 7 pm then we’ll go get dinner.
My vanity has been challenged as I’ve mentioned. I just got completely shamed for wanting to do laundry. I’ve washed my clothes the last two nights in a sink and I’ll admit they still haven’t dried out. But they have a washing machine AND a dryer here (3€ and 4€). So I asked if anyone wanted to put a load in with me. My whole dorm is now laughing at me and calling me a Real Housewife. Not sure what that means to them? Anyway, the ladies from the Netherlands said I need to let it go, everyone’s clothes are dirty and it was rainy today and will be a nice day tomorrow (not sure what that has to do with it). Sylvia said she washed last night and her clothes didn’t dry so she had to go braless today. I said me too! (Then she said , but I don’t usually do that. Lol, me either Sylvia!)
But also there’s a dryer!!! No takers, lots of laughter and I’m going to be wearing dirty clothes tomorrow. Although I hope that some of my damp stuff dries tonight.
Tomorrow is a long one, there just aren’t any towns for the last part. Basically you can either walk 6k or 25k. 25k isn’t so bad, but I’m sore and tired. Hopefully I wake up refreshed.
Buen camino.
XOXO,
Bon