Day 4: Larasoaña to Pamplona (15km)

With our aching muscles and brain-deadedness, we headed off from Larasoaña just after 8am. We weren't in the mood to have an early start because we were still recovering from the long walk the day before. 

So of course the moment we left the albergue it started to rain.

Not heavily though, but enough to be really annoying. 

We walked through some stunning scenery along the river...

Through a cute little town and gorgeous scenery...

And then this bitch of a hill.

I guess the view was worth it? My poor, aching calf muscles didn't think so.

After walking for hours with our aching muscles, we eventually came to what we thought was Pamplona. Unfortunately for us, it was not. It was the town of Arre. We were pretty pissed off so decided to give into our tantrums and sit next to the river and read for awhile.

We eventually decided to leave our lovely spots and keep going to Pamplona. The passed a marathon that was going on in town, listening to people yelling, "Andale! Andale!" 

We eventually came to the Magdalena Bridge just outside of Pamplona. Then we had to go through a drawbridge into the town itself. Of course it had to be on a bloody hill. 

We stopped at the first albergue we came to which was just within the city walls. We were desperate to dump our stuff and shower. 

After feeling refreshed, washing our clothes, and checking out our "pod style" bunk beds, more people started to arrive, and it turned out to be a bunch of friends we'd made earlier, like Oliver, Sylvia and Elma. 

Noni and I attempted to do some sightseeing, but we got to the cathedral and it was closed. On a Sunday. Well done, church. Good work. 

Here's what the outside looks like. Isn't that something? Yeah, not really.

Despite our exhaustion, we went out for dinner with our Camino buddies that night and had some tapas/pintxos. The selection was mouth-watering, and I had trouble choosing just a couple. Had such a fun time at dinner getting to know everyone. Dayle turned out to also share mine and Noni's love for The Walking Dead, and if he didn't live so far away he'd probably be part of our post-apocalyptic survival team.

We made our way to the main square, which was gorgeous.

We were also doing something I never thought I would do in a million years- go out in public wearing socks and sandals. This Camino has made me do many things outside my comfort zone, but this was probably the most comfortable. It helped that all of us were doing the same thing, but I still hated myself a little. But more importantly, my feet loved it. Damn you, comfort!

So apparently this was Dayle's first ever selfie. From left to right: Rebecca, Dayle, and Sylvia (plus Noni and I).

And then we ended the night with churros. That's how you end an exhausting day.