Towards the end of the afternoon, as the weight on my back started to take its toll, I arrived in Zariquiegui around 3 pm. Finding San Andres Hostal was located just after entering the village, with a prominent sign.
I soon reached the hostel, but the door was closed. Just then, a couple arrived, also looking for a place to spend the night. I informed them that I was heading to San Andres Hostal and offered to lead the way. Leaving the closed door behind, we walked back to a nearby open bar. I approached a lady standing in front of the bar and asked her about San Andres Hostal. She nodded and pointed me to the bar tender, who turned out to be the hostel's keeper. The bar tender checked me, and the couple was thrilled to secure a place to stay without a reservation. I had called the hostel earlier in the day, following Stephen's advice, and made a reservation.
After the check-in process, a young man who spoke fluent English took us back to the house where I had stopped earlier. He showed us how to use the entry code to access the room and then led us to our sleeping quarters.
This Hostal offered rooms with bunk beds. I chose a bottom bunk near the window, which was cozy and pleasant. The Norwegian couple, Tom and Merethe, opted for a room with three beds in a separate area.
There was a small seating room just outside our room, connecting to the other two dormitories and the shower room.
As I made my way to the shower room, I bumped into Maria and her daughter, Frieda. We hugged, and Maria directed me to the shower, told me that the water was strong. Indeed, it felt great after a long day of walking.
After showering and washing my clothes, I noticed a small garden with a clothesline. While hanging my clothes, Maria stepped out of the door, and we exchanged a few words about our day. Maria mentioned that Stephen had also arrived earlier. We discussed dinner and decided to have it at the hostel together. We agreed on 6 pm. I headed downstairs to the coffee/bar area and asked where I could find some fruits. One of the staff members went to the back room and returned with an orange and an apple for me. They also informed the staff at the bar that three of us would be joining for dinner.
Later, I ran into Tom and Merethe again and informed them about our dinner plans. They expressed their interest in joining us.
Later, I crossed paths with Stephen once more, and he provided me with directions for tomorrow. I informed him about our dinner arrangement, and he mentioned that he would get some supplies from the store but wouldn't be joining us that evening.
All guests arrived promptly at 6 pm for dinner, and we were treated to a delightful three-course meal accompanied by wine. The meal started with a choice of soup or salad, followed by a main course of either chicken or pork, and fruits or pudding for dessert.
During the dinner, we learned more about Tom and Merethe. They revealed that they had been happily married for a decade and both had adult children from previous marriages. They shared fascinating insights about life in Norway and mentioned that it was an opportune time to visit their country due to recent fluctuations in the currency exchange rate. Maria shared stories about her son and husband, who were currently embarking on a Camino journey together in Scotland with photos on her phone. She described the challenges and joys of their walk, providing us with a glimpse into their unique experience. Frieda, a shy but warm-hearted 13-year-old, charmed us all with her quick smiles and presence at the table.
The evening unfolded amidst a jovial atmosphere, as we indulged in plenty of wine and savored the meal with great enthusiasm. Once again, my heart overflowed with joy and profound happiness as I embraced the sense of family togetherness that is so often cherished along the Camino.
My sleeping corner:
