Day 6
Estella – Los Arcos
21.5km/13.4 miles
I am the first to wake this morning. Marian, using her fluent Spanish, managed to book us a private room for our group of 8 last night. I was feeling a little extra pep in my step today. We seem to be getting up earlier and earlier to beat the rush and also to keep cool from the high noon sun. Word on the street is that today we will walk past a fountain that supposedly flows with red wine. Everyone is extremely excited about this since our diets mainly consist of bread and red wine here in northern Spain.
Walking before the sun has even risen.
Rising Sun
Red Wine Fountain
We make it to the red wine fountain within the first hour of walking. The sun is barely peeking up over the horizon, not even a shadow lay casted. There is already a line waiting for the fountain that only sadly dripped red wine. We assume it is too early, however, we still hold our shells under the spout so we can say that we tasted wine from the famous fountain that bleeds, Fuente del Vino.
Peter (on the right) at the Famous Red Fountain
Peter and I walk together today. He is quite possibly the funniest most jolly man alive. He is 69 years old and walks faster than I do. We laugh because his niece calls him papa smirf. Peter just so happens to have white hair and most days wears a bright blue cap and shirt.
If you are in the shit, you are ok.
My usual conversation consists of asking how someone’s feet feel. Their answers are usually positive, unlike my constant amazement of how shitty mine are. (I always cringe and wonder how they can remain so happy.) The path zig zags its way around crops and roads. I joke about how way back when the first pilgrims were walking, I am pretty sure that they did not have to walk out of their way around this huge farm or climb the stairs of a bridge to cross a paved road (all adding unnecessary steps to this already long hike).
Grape fields for days
It is as this point when Peter decides to tell me a joke. Something about a bird who is freezing, falls from a tree and lands in a pile of warm shit. Moral of the story, If you are in the shit, you are ok. Lesson learned, quit complaining.
Stopping for a pose (trying to recreate a picture in the guidebook).
Beautiful Day
Entering Los Arcos, Spain
We have arrived in the very small village of Los Arcos, Spain
We are the last ones to walk into Los Arcos, it was a very strenuous day today. I am barely a step into the village before I collapse on the side of the road. We wait around for the others to hobble into town together.
Casa de la Abuela is where we stay tonight. There is something about staying at grandmothers house that we all love and are excited for. Another day in the bag, another night of drinks and dinner.
