Getting down to Getaria

There’s a story here and it ends with beer. If yesterday was a tourist day, then today was definitely a pilgrim day. Let me explain…

After my exhortations yesterday about being open and giving, my patience and acceptance was tested last night.  The  albergue opened its door to a guy who was difficult and down on his luck and allocated him to our dormitory. He was acting loud and irrationally when he rocked in around midnight- but he did apologise when a voice called out from behind a bunk curtain- “well you could stop talking for a start” Then the atmosphere lightened - and he ended up having a better night sleep with us than he would have had on the street.

The Cathedral de San Sebastián bell chimed eight times as I walked past on my way this morning. What a contrast to yesterday evening and afternoon 

Then the Camino route veared left off the beach front and into the hills 

It was another steep climb,  but here comes the sun and I feel fine.

The path plateaued, then as  the decline began, a donation coffee and cake ‘bar’ appeared- just at the right time. The problem was I didn’t have any ‘donativo’ euro coins or notes, so I took out the uke and played it  ~ and it was fun and I even got an extra piece of cake 🍰 

Then things went a little pear-shaped for a while. 

I fell flat on my face on the downhill roadside approach to Zarautz (where I had intended to stay, ie it was an ok 23 kms distance from San Sebastián) 

I grazed  my right hand and forearm and my nose. It wasn’t pretty but by the time the next peregrinos came by I’d cleaned most of the blood. It was a relief that I didn’t break anything. I was supported a young French women  who I’d met at the roadside stop a couple of hours earlier. We applied antiseptic and bandages and I continued on to Zarautz 

Only to find all accommodation was fully booked. Today was a public holiday, btw which also meant that no pharmacies were open. So i had to walk on to Getaria in the hope there would be accommodation there.

Local young people at Zarautz taking a dive- just like me! That’s not funny 

The walk to Getaria was  5 kms along an ocean side boardwalk. The albergue from heaven appeared. The hospitalero is a saint. He said ‘Mike - go and have a swim- it will clean your wounds’So I did and it did

Here’s the beach and me

Getarria has a friendly vibe. It’s good to be here in one piece

Buen Camino from Pilgrim Mike