Day 2: Roncevalles to Zubiri (Auna)

June 26 2011
Day 2
14 miles
Total: 29.5

      This morning I awoke with a small ache in my ankle but it soon went away. Yesterday was rough but easier than I expected, we did a great job pacing ourselves. As we started off our walk Deija and I were very tired. It felt just like the end of the day yesterday. I had two tiny blisters but didn't think much of it. Half way through the days journey I noticed that they got a wee bit bigger so we stopped and decided to take care of them before it got worse. Today was pretty tough, I found it to be harder than yesterday's adventure.
       I was getting really hot and I noticed a slight sun burn on one of my shoulders, my pack strap rubbed against it all day... Just what I needed. Today is the 2nd day on the Camino but the 1st day on the Camino when I had to use the "bathroom" behind a bush. It was a little complicated so I decided to remove everything from the waist down. A few twigs tried to get a little friendly but I managed. 
      As we finish the longest steep down hill mile we arrive in Zubiri. As we enter the very small town you can't help but notice this beautiful river. After we found the hostel the first thing to do was shower! This hostel is a bit different than the other ones so far. Instead of your own small individual shower it is on big shared shower, of course the opposite sex was in a different side but it was still something I wasn't used to. By the end of my shower I felt more comfortable, it was just one of those things you have to get over. I washed some clothes and hung them up and I noticed I only had ONE of my sandals. I had them clipped on the back of my pack but I must have lost it along the way. I found the only super market in town and I stopped to see if they had any light weight sandals I could get and indeed they did. What I didn't know is the Spain has completely different shoe sizes.. I later found out I'm size 39. The workers helped me out, they were so kind. He quickly dragged out a stool for me to sit on and he began putting different shoe sizes on me to see what was perfect. It's not often that you meet people that seem so genuinely nice and really want to help. 
      Later I walked down to the river to find March sitting on the side of it and Bree a little further down wading in the water. I went out into the water by Bree, we stood there for about ten minutes and I couldn't resist jumping in any longer. I had to, it felt so great! It was such a hot day and tomorrow is supposed to be hotter. A few other pilgrims were by the water as well. Deija was resting back at the hostel. We walk back and ask her if she'd like to go to a tiny restaurant we saw. I got these little stuffed peppers that had mashed potatoes on the inside, and some yummy sort of mushroom dish, all that washed down with this yummy fruit juice. It was great. I savored every bite. We head back to the hostel and relax in our VERY sunken in bunk beds. Tomorrow we plan to set off extra early tomorrow at about 5:30 to beat the scorching weather. It's only a 13 mile walk to Pamplona, we've heard great stuff about that place. I'm excited and can't wait to see what tomorrow awaits!!
     
                                              Auna