Pampalona

We have made it to Pampalona! Actually quite an easy day. We jumped on a bus for 2.10€ and after wandering around and asking a few folks for directions we are staying at Hostel Hemmingway just outside of old town. We ditched our stuff and went exploring.  Clean city, busy but not crazy busy. Folks are really friendly. Definitely lots of history! We found the street for the running of the bulls and the stadium for bull fighting.  Found some lunch and am now back at hostel. Siesta time!

We found a supermarket after an evening stroll. :-) Found fixings for supper and cooked ourselves dinner at the hostel. Evening was busy with folks arriving so  found my bed about 9 for some quiet time.

It is Thursday morning and after sleeping in until 6:32, had a slow start to the day. Had interesting chats with other folks both staff and guests. Met two women from California who arrived yesterday, picked up their bikes and were taking a taxi back to Roncevalles and would then start cycling towards Pampalona. They have two weeks to cycle and were not sure where they were going ton finish. Mark, from Ireland we met yesterday, today his mate Denis had joined him. We shared stories and laughs for a good while.

Interestingly enough there are a lot if instances where I /we do not get a persons name; and we end up referring to them by where they are from. We have met Oregon, Dublin, Belgium, etc. Some fellows from Spain kept greeting me with " Canada".

We left the hostel about 10:30 or so and eventually found the cathedral and the pilgrim store. We had a look see in the store and then headed for a history lesson.  Busy spot, lots of tourists! My favorite bits: the peace when we initially walked into the cathedral, watching fols reactions  remarkable preservation of old artifacts and architecture,

Made our way back to the hostel and the irish guys came. history and music  were the topics of conversations, and then we are picking old irish ballads and singing. good thing hostel was pretty empty!    :) headed out foe dinner and ended up at a place in the plaza de castilla - great dinner.  Back at the hostel at 10 and off to bed.