Gregorian alarm clock

This morning we were woken up with Gregorian chant. After a very fun evening, during which I never set foot outside of the albergue, it was a charming way to end the stay. Due to yesterday's time change I suppose (which I only learned of last night), leaving at 7:30 am meant leaving as the sun was still coming up. It was an extension of the wonderful time in Ventosa, to leave as the world woke up. Birds were chirping and the day was quickly warming, so we couldn't ask for a better start to the day.

Waking up with the world

We passed through Najera after a quick 10k. The Camino seems to take us into cities in the least visually pleasing ways. I was feeling quite glad to not have stayed in this city after my mid-morning break. But soon enough as I continued walking, I found the charming part of the city. It is very interesting to pass such a variety of topographies as we journey across the country. This area looks like the red rocks or Arizona in places.

After another short walk, about 6k, I arrived in Azrofa, where I had planned to stay for the night. It was only 11:45 am and it felt like I'd barely walked despite having trekked nearly 16k. After a "decision cerveza" I continued to walk with a gal from Canada.

The first chunk of the additional 10k passed with ease. As we climbed the steep incline, I was hoping we'd reach our goal soon. We passed a golf course, which was a bit surprising and felt out of place. Then we immediately came across what felt like a film set. It was a newly constructed, very modern looking town that was like nothing else on the Camino.

The Truman Show?

A short jaunt later, we were at the stopping city for the day. The albergue owner is a bit odd, but not quite as odd as "Ramon" in "The Way." I was glad to be able to properly hand wash my laundry and look forward to dinner at the one restaurant in town and then crashing. I'm grateful for all the sun, but it is a bit draining. And, I suppose, walking 26k could contribute to my tiredness.