Day 3 – September 9, 2023

After a long and physically challenging day yesterday I made the decision to make today an easy one. I woke up late (for me) and stayed at the Alberge in Zabaldica for breakfast. Some unfortunate excitement first thing this morning – a woman from Canada (Melisa) fell on the stairs and injured herself. By the time breakfast was over she seemed in much better spirits.

My travel companions from yesterday (Mike, Charlie, and Dan) all set off a few minutes before me, and I haven’t seen them since.

I walked through the old city of Pamplona, on cobblestone streets lined with old and beautiful architecture. It really is fun to be here experiencing all of this. At one point I discovered that at least some Hollywood movie cliches really are true. A guy on a Vespa rode by with two long baguettes sticking out the top of his backpack.

After leaving Pamplona I walked another 5km to the village of Cizor Menor, my destination for the day. Total distance travelled today – 13km in about 2.5 hours. What luxury! Here I found a lovely little Alberge connected with the Church next door. They opened at noon and I arrived at about 9:30am. It felt delicious to be done with my day so early. I sat down and waited, which turned out to be a most fortuitous decision. Not long after I arrived another pilgrim showed up – a young woman in her mid-20s named Kay. We started chatting and very quickly she began pouring out her heart. She is so very sad at the messed up state of the world. It felt like such a gift to be trusted in that way. After about an hour (during which time I mostly just listened) she put on her backpack and headed west on the Camino. I offered a VERY brief blessing as she walked away, which she gratefully received. And then she was gone. Another moment on the Way that seemed not coincidental. Maybe a reminder that all I ever really need to do is show up with an open heart. The rest seems to take care of itself. Opportunities arise, not because I planned them, but simply because I decided to really be present.

And now it’s 1:30pm, with no where else to go for the rest of the day. Maybe I’ll just relax and be here now. Who knows what might happen next?!

Here’s a link to some photos from today:

https://www.flickr.com/gp/rogerlynn/FX74bdQ540