Camino Frances Day 5 Puenta de la Reina to Estella

Remembering We Are Guests

Day by day I feel a little more comfortable on this journey. The fellowship with the other pilgrims I’ve met it’s good and meaningful. With each day lies a new adventure for a stranger in a foreign land. I always keep my company manners on is I am a guest in this beautiful place and I am also a representative of my country in a way. There is a book published in 1958 called the Ugly American highlighting the failures of the US diplomatic corps in Southeast Asia and their failure to respect local languages, customs ,courtesies, and norms. I read the book twice while getting my Political Science and International Relations Degrees. I am always mindful of my behavior on foreign soil.

Another Morning of Rain

Having caught my return ride from Pamplona to Puente de la Reina in the early hours I stepped into the rain. Quickly ducking into a local patisserie they had a hot cup of tea and two nice pastries too pre warm me before stepping back out into the elements. By the time I reached Mañeru 3 miles later the rain had thankfully stopped. Rain makes thing grow and can make walking slow. There was a steep stone paved decline going out of town that they had to keep careful footing. The coolness of the morning sure helped on the next uphill. Coming out of the next town Ciraqui they started to get turned around by a couple of markers that I thought were a little bit confusing. While walking the downhill to where I thought the path led my thoughts were interrupted by voices calling out to me. Nick and Noah appeared at just the right time to steer me in the right direction. Add a blessing to my day.

We got separated, I think they were outpacing me. Walking through numerous olive Groves and vineyards the scenery was so peaceful. These are places where I feel most comfortable out where life seems so simple. Out in one of the vineyards there was an older master teaching his young student about the vines. It seemed a scene from times gone by where there was a master and an apprentice learning every trade.

Remembrance of My Past

Walking the long path next to a somewhat busy two lane road. I spotted Derek in the distance. Above where we were walking where is the tall and long raised aqueduct that fed water to the agricultural land. Not sure if I’ve ever seen that before and thinking about the engineering and construction Reminded me of the effort it takes for those who work and live in agriculture. Ditch and dam irrigating on my grandparent’s farm in southeast Colorado when I was younger darn near killed me. As I entered Villatuerta I was greeted by hens and roosters on the road. Another flashback to the farm and suffering a rooster attack at four years old. I’m better prepared today…hopefully. No photos, but my corresponding video on YouTube shows them.

Caught up with Derek again as we’re approaching Estella. We both remarked how beautiful it was with the river there the old buildings one most likely a mill from days gone by. We checked into the albergue and we’e greeted by Antonio.  Good to see that my pace was still acceptable. Walking a mile to the grocery store wasn’t high on my list but it was necessary. Estella is amazing. If you ever venture there The old church in the surrounding streets is a must. I gathered two heavy bags of groceries walk through the town along the river and back to the albergue. Although beautiful, peaceful, and calm with the river running by it I got little sleep. Waking up four different times to go down to the kitchen to eat after. After breakfast saw Derek on my way out the door and let him know that I had left pastries and fruit in the dining room for him. Estella is on my list of  Places to return to.

Final Thoughts

“Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter.” – Izaak Walton