Day 3: Zubiri to Pamplona (Deija)

Day 3
June 27 2011
13 miles
Total: 42.5

Today I awoke to no one from our small group in the hostel. My first feelings were that they had left me, which freaked me out a little, but I came to quickly and knew that they would never do that...hopefully. Immediately after I realized this, my feelings turned into anger. I was angry that even though I had asked all three days for someone to wake me, I was still up after everyone else and on my own. I am not a morning person, and when I'm PO'd and tired I'm even worse. I grabbed my things with a mixture of anger and drowsiness and walked out of the hostel. 

*Hurumph* :/

Auna was sitting on the steps attempting to adjust her backpack, and Mr. March and Bree were elsewhere. I don't remember exactly what I said to her, but is was along the lines of, "Seriously? Thanks for the wake up call." Perhaps there are a few words in between the lines that I left out. I then made my way to the restrooms and did the normal morning routine; bathroom, teeth, hair, clothing, face, sunblock, etc. When I came out the other three were waiting on the steps. I grabbed my pack, grumbled good mornings and we left. 

Our first stop was at the vending machines down the street. I had ran out of food, and needed something to tide me over till we arrived in Pamplona which was about 20 or so kilometers away. It was going to seem like an extremely long day, only because the first day, and the day before had been pretty rough on our bodies. I ended up choosing a bag of trail mix, and we started our walk at 6:02AM. A semi-beautiful walk through a Spanish industrial area, but it was cool, and light, perfect for walking.

About a half an hour into the trip we were walking up a slightly steep hill and we spotted some horses behind a fence near the path. There were large ones, medium sized, some were shy, and others were not. The four us petted, stroked, and patted the "horsies" until we heard people behind us. As Auna, Bree, and Mr. March went up, I stayed back and hung out with them until some backpackers used the flash on their cameras and spooked them. I then ran up the hill and met up with the rest of the group.

Auna and I tried a little experiment today, our results were that when we do any of the following we tend to walk faster, and be in better mind space: Singing children's songs, dancing, listening to our iPods, and listing foods, objects, and moments we missed from home. Yes, its our third day and we're already making lists. The feeling that is going to be a very long summer is setting in. 

Although we miss home, and don't enjoy many moments of our hiking, we also know that it's an experience of a lifetime, and we enjoy the outcomes of our days. Window shopping in small European towns, meeting new people who don't speak very good English, or any English at all, eating new foods, making a show of cutting into Auna's blisters. Okay, I added that last one in there, she doesn't enjoy it, but I find it entertaining to watch her squeal and squirm. 

I would like to send a shout out to the people closest to me the last few months as well; Mom, Dad, Nainoa, Papa, Jessica, Cheri, Jack, and Brittney, I love and miss you guys so much. I hope you all are having fun! You better keep Smidge in check, and make sure he knows I'm coming back! 

- Deija