Camino Pilgrim

It rained heavily all night. I was sure the mountain was flooded by mud in the morning. It was also several hours to walk to Markina, so I started the morning in waterproof socks for the first time.

Both of my ankles felt just as strange as yesterday. Once I arrived in Markina, it was even rougher to walk. Then I discovered that waterproof socks cause chafing. I had been rubbing my achilles hard all day. Both legs were rubbed dark pink. I switched to my normal socks and applied a plaster on the injured Achilles. Everything started to feel just right.

I will still use waterproof socks in the future, but only after my feet have gotten completely wet from rain.

Hiking to Markina took a long long time. It would have been easy if it just wasn’t that muddy today. Rain, hail and fog did not help either. Still, a lot of the mountain roads were paved with concrete, which made the weather irrelevant.

I found it very interesting that Markina was one of many urban areas on the Norte I that is covered in yellow arrows. Even if you walk a bit off the route, you will find your way easily again. Locals really care about pilgrims having a good day.

Pushing past Markina was especially easy. Although I had bigger days of mountains than before, the quality of the trail made life good. I was a bit frightened when the trail went through a zone with farm animals like horses and bulls right on the trail with you. I always keep thinking that they might hit me with their back hooves for some reason.

I am staying in a donation-based monastery, where the local monks also offer dinner and breakfast. Only for the locally brewed beer you have to pay extra, but it is sold cheaper than it would be in stores.

Pilgrims that I see on the trail start repeating. Several familiar faces keep appearing. I assume things will get mixed again once out of the mountains. Hopefully not, but we shall see.

I am walking with road surface trail runners. The mountain is where I am the slowest on this Camino. Especially when going downhill. Two more days until I can start walking as far as my heart desires.