Day 14

Day 14: Viana to Logrono - 10 km

This morning I was met with the most wonderful surprise!

In a restored palace in Viana, while looking for a cup of coffee and a pastry, I immediately caught sight of my long lost friend Alois from Holland! We parted ways on Day 9 and hadn't managed to reconnect. But there he was, sitting at the bar drinking espresso!

I screamed with delight and ran to him for a hug. Though only five days walking apart, five days on the Camino can make a lifetime of memories, and can also make you feel like you've missed out on sharing a lifetime of memories with your favorite friends.

Once again, Alois, Randy, and I walked together.

We were missing our fourth partner, Jeff from North Dakota, but he and Alois became friends on Facebook while we were relaxing at a cafe in Pamplona. Since there is WIFI nearly everywhere in Spain, they have been keeping track of each other's journeys. Jeff is about two days ahead of us on The Way.

Alois was meeting another pilgrim from Holland in Logrono, so we all walked together that far. They had never met before, but found out through a Facebook group that they would both be walking at the same time. Why not meet up with someone from your own small country on The Way?

The three of us were feeling good, in body and mind, so the 10 kilometers took only 2.5 hours to complete. (It is amazing how long a walk can take when your mind is worried or busy, or your feet are tired and sore. But how quick is the road when everything is aligned... and you don't have mountains to climb!)

Randy and I decided to stay in Logrono as well. Even though it was early, we decided to call it a day when we found an albergue with a washer and dryer. For two days we've been washing our clothes in the shower because laundry service hasn't been available in the small towns we've been staying in. And after walking in 75 degree weather we definitely needed to wash the few clothes we have with us!

I will be so happy to get up tomorrow morning and put on fresh clothes for the next leg of our journey!!

Washing clothes in the shower and drying them on the heaters.

Randy and Alois doing laundry at the albergue.