Tenth Day On The Camino Thursday, September 27, 2018

Last night in Najera was an experience. We stayed in the Municipal alburgue. This is a donation alburgue that has 45 bunk beds in one big, but not big enough room. That is ninety beds! Yikes! Good thing it was only two thirds full. The way they set this up is as follows. The sleeping room is a long rectangle with the door at the top end of the rectangle. On both long sides of the rectangle there are bunk bed sets where two bunk beds are pushed together. They call this a “matrimonial” alburgue. It is like sleeping in a double bed with a total stranger. In the middle of the rectangle there are these same bunk bed sets. By the door there are single bunk beds that they like to keep open in case an emergency situation arises and someone comes straggling in late at night.

I got there at about 3:00 PM, washed up, did laundry and started to write this blog post. I then went out to dinner and got back to the alburgue at about 9:30. They close the door to the sleeping room at 10:00 and everyone is required to be in bed at that time. When I went to my lower berth I found out that the guy next to me was a hulking Croatian, with a huge beard and a noticeable aversion to soap and water. This is the guy I am going to be sharing a double bed with tonight!! Time to think fast because it is going to be lights out shortly.

I noticed that the emergency bunk beds were empty and got a flash of inspiration. I ran out to the common area and told the head alburgue host that I had a private matter that I wished to discuss with him. We went outside and I put my arm around his shoulder and I tearfully confessed that I am a bed wetter. I told him that I have been afflicted with this malady since I was a young boy. It started when I was in the fourth grade and suffered physical and mental abuse at the hands of Sister Jean. Sobbing, I described her flashing yardstick and her repeated whacks to my head and knuckles. I told him that I would be completely humiliated if I wet the bed with the Croatian hulk in it. I then got down on my knees and, sobbing, begged him to reassign me to one of the emergency single bunk beds. He pulled me up to my feet, gave me a hug and assured me that he would reassign to one of the emergency single bunk beds and it would be mine and mine alone. I tearfully thanked him and told him that I would be forever in his debt. He helped me make up my solitary bunk bed with plastic disposable sheets and bade me good night. I slept like a baby and woke at 6:00 AM and was out the door by 7:00. I plan to go to confession when I get to Santiago and I have added this little white lie to the lengthily list of things I need to confess.

We encountered this structure on the side of the Camino this morning. I think it is some sort of watch tower.

This is the view from the trail as we approach Azofra, the first village on the trail from Najera.

This is me checking out a new Ping driver in the clubhouse at the very nice golf resort at our next stop, Ciruena. It looks like they built a beautiful golf course and a bunch of condos and then it went bust. Half the condos have for sale signs on the front gate and the other half look like they have been abandoned. Not exactly a Sergio Garcia backed golf development.

This a view of the trail from Ciruena to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a six kilometer hike. The total hike today is about 22 kilometers. That is a very doable distance. When we walk the stages that are 28 to 30 kilometers I really feel it and can barely walk when I get to the alburgue. I felt pretty good at the end of the walk today.

This is my room for tonight It is in a convent run by Cistercian nuns. This place is ancient and has a lot of medieval character. I had dinner last night with Richard from Canada and Suki from the UK. I walked with them today and we are sharing this room tonight.

For dinner tonight we went to the town square and sat outside and had a beer and a few tapas.

This is a plate of deviled eggs with tuna.

This is a plate of pimentos stuffed with chorizo.

I hope everyone had a good day.

Good evening from Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Spain.