Where am I? Larasoña Spain
How far did I walk today? 16.8 miles 

The nice thing about sleeping in an albergue is you never need an alarm clock. There is enough movement and commotion by 6:15 AM that everyone is up. So I was on the road by 6:45.

The guidebook suggests the next stage take you from Roncesvalles to Zubiri, but I decided the night before that I was going to Larossona, an extra 3.4 miles, so I would have more time in Pamplona tomorrow.

The scenery in the morning was great, but then transitioned to forested paths and later an open path past an industrial plant. I feel like yesterday spoiled me.

I’ve started to meet people along the walk today as well. I spent time with a chemical researcher from Barcelona, a medical student from Brussels studying to become an anesthesiologist, a project manager from Toulerouse, and a recent MBA graduate from Georgetown. It was great to have company, and I hope to walk some more with them in the days to come.

The physical toll of the hike is starting to set in. I have a possible blister forming, and the Compeed Mrs. Liacouras gave me before the trip is in the lost bag. Calf muscles and knees are a little strained as well, but it is a shorter walk to Pamplona tomorrow.

Larossona is a nice little village, and I’m staying in a new albergue (with wifi!) and there is a nice little market across the street. I walked the length of the village in my size-too-small flip flops I picked up in Roncesvalles (you need to take your boots off when entering an albergue, and I did not want to put them back on) and the only landmarks of note were some nice houses and three jai alai courts.

I did get laundry done, which I did not last night. This is more important than usual when you only have one change of clothes. I have almost no sense of smell, and I was horrified by the odor I gave off today.

A number of issues will go away if my bag is waiting for me in Pamplona tomorrow. Let’s hope for the best!