Day 7 & 8 Bilbao to Pobeña, Pobeña to Castro Urdiales
Bilbao to Pobreña
I could not find my way out of Bilbao. My Camino map was useless to me, my google maps was as confused as I was. Google could get me out but not on the Camino and on a much longer route.
I retreated from the rain into a Starbucks (Starbucks is my go to when confused, it feels familiar) to regroup and study the problem. I determined I was failing and had about decided to call a cab to get at least to the next town where it would be easier to pick up the trail.
Just as I was about to call, Ian from England walked in for coffee and breakfast and amazingly ended up leading me out of Bilbao! We actually ended up walking the entire day together other than crossing the Vizcaya Bridge (a world heritage site). Ian was determined to take the elevator and walk across the top, for 9,50€. I chose the lower gondola which was very unique too, it’s a gondolas on each side of a type of platform for cars, also it was only 50 cents. In my defense, yes I was cheap but it was a very cold, cloudy day, so even Ian had to admit the walk up top didn’t offer much of a view and was particularly windy.
We ended up meeting back up at the cafe on the other side of the river with Elena (Russia) and Esme (Australia).
After coffee we went on, Elena and Esme stopped to eat again when we saw a group in a park. (Those girls are eating every time I see them). Ian and I kept going and Liliya (Ukraine) joined us.
Once we arrived, Ian went on to his hotel and I went to wait in line at the alburgue.
The alburgues are a step up from camping, but not a huge step. What I like is the camaraderie. I easily fell in with a group going to get pintxos and drinks. We enjoyed some sunshine finally even if it was cold. Susan (New Zealand), Astrid & Thomas (Germany), Carolyn & Jerod (Ireland and US). After food and a couple of drinks Ian and his group came along and joined us. I had been sitting at the taberna for a while so I went for a (short/slow) walk along the beach and then it was getting close to bedtime. But I saved the best of the day for last with a FaceTime call with my daughters for Mother’s Day!
Pobeña to Castro Urdiales
Today was a lesson in patience. It was a short day, but you could choose to make it a little longer because there were two options. One was a little more up and down but shorter and along the coast. The other was more flat and through the countryside.
I chose the coastal route, I stopped and had coffee at a roadside diner while the worst of the rain passed. I knew it would be a short day, so it was easy enough to just sip coffee and get to know my fellow walkers. I saw quite a few come through the diner. I sat with Susan, Carolyn and Jerrod. I was the last to leave but ended up catching Carolyn and Jerrod as we arrived into Castro Urdiales. It was only noon. The alburgues don’t open until 3pm so we got pintxos and cervezas mainly to kill time. The restaurant was seaside and had the best looking pintxos I’ve seen yet. It was delicious.
Carolyn and Jerrod decided to walk on to the next town with a hotel. It was only another 5 miles, but they weren’t answering the phone and there was no way to make a reservation online so I had to make a decision to chance it and end up possibly having to walk another 5 miles hoping for a bed or relax and enjoy the short day.
I chose safely but then arrived at my alburgue at 1:30, waited for it to open, showered and … it was 3:30 with nothing to do for the rest of the day…patience. Learn to just chill.
The alburgue is mostly new people to me tonight, except for Claude.
Frank from Holland is a trip, I don’t think he’s said a positive thing since he arrived, haha. I think it’s so funny that anyone would complain about a 10€ alburgue or really anything on the Camino route. Seems easy enough to just not be here if it’s not your thing!
I’m meeting Susan for pintxos (once again) at 6pm because I can’t wait until 8:30 for dinner to start being served! Maybe I’m not learning patience?
I have to walk 10 minutes back into town which isn’t a huge deal but I have a few blisters now so I avoid extra steps! I should’ve booked a hostel tonight, I need to start researching my stops a day or so in advance I guess. I'm learning, maybe slowly, but I’m learning!
Buen Camino.
XOXO,
Bon