October 09 2019

I woke up around 530am so tip toed around and then finally left by 7. 

I walked nervously through my sketchy area to the trail. Took me 22min. Lying Hostal lady! 

Once I got started, I barely saw people today. Idk if people rested in Logrono because it was a big city and for most people about 18miles or so, but I wanted to get to my next spot in Najera (another 18 miles)

We went through a lot of parks today which was nice. And then through like five vineyards. Beautiful rolling hills of grape farmland with mountains and city in the background. It was over cast. It was hard to capture on film but it was awesome. My baby toe started acting up again. I had heard originally not to get rid of calluses but then started reading the opposite because blisters can grow under the callus… and creates a “hot spot” and then it’s hard to get to them. So tonight I shall find a file (tmi I know)

I listened to audio books about my main man Theo today. A River of Doubt. Man that dude was crazy. This book didn’t necessarily help bc a lot of it was about him suffering in the Amazon and I like felt his pain. 

I felt like I was going a lot slower today but I think it was actually about the same as yesterday… 16 min slower but I stopped wayyyy more to adjust my shoes ‍and retape my damn blister toe.

I wasn’t as desperate when I hobbled into the hostal finally (I think the most desperate I was, was to Ayegui… I like almost cried in relief when I sat down)

But I was so freaking grateful the hostal was near the trail and wasn’t near some sketchy ass street again

I did the usual: shower laundry food rest. But I’ve added yoga in there right before dinner. Been doing that the past 3 days for 35 min and it is spectacular.

For dinner I looked up the best food in Najera – this place Meson El Buen Yantar. For €11 you got:

• Full bottle of red wine
• Basket of bread
• One plate – I got tortellini 
• 2nd plate – chicken thigh with fries
• Dessert

I could only eat half the tortellini and part of the chicken and then I tapped out. Demasiado food

So.

I’m ¼ the way done with my journey!

What have I learned?

1. always always coat your feet in Vaseline. Literally foot care is the most important thing
2. Calluses are NOT wanted. Blisters can form under calluses and become hot spots and very painful (yes I made this rookie mistake) 
3. Bring a lacrosse ball- it does wonders. As well as tiger balm and salonpas 
4. People said – don’t bring that much medicine bc you can buy it… BUT I went three days without seeing one of the many farmacias open. So, bring SOME meds. 
5. Northern Spain is GORGEOUS. I didn’t know what to expect but the rolling hills and farmlands are breathtaking thus far 
6. I can survive sleeping with 36 humans in the same room- but I 100% prefer not to and have worked wayyyy too hard at my job to risk sleep over someone snoring to subject myself to that every night (and someone DOES snore every place you go)
7. This trail is literally so well marked all the way across Spain … it takes tons of people to keep the signage and spray painted arrows up to date and easy to see, so THANK YOU 
8. Wearing a big bag every day does get easier 
9. T-Mobile 2G international is a god send