Day 9: Los Arcos to Viana
(June 7, 2023)
Today has been an incredibly captivating and eventful day. I embarked on a journey passing through numerous villages, experiencing diverse terrains, from the wild open fields to serene, wooded areas and picturesque hilly mountains adorned with various plantations, including charming wine trees. Occasionally, I crossed car roads, adding a touch of modernity to the otherwise tranquil landscape.
Throughout my walk, I relished the solitude, encountering only a few other walkers. The natural beauty surrounding me, accompanied by delightful wildflowers, brought immense joy and tranquility.
The day commenced with a peaceful stroll out of the village, welcomed by a vibrant array of wildflowers, creating a serene atmosphere along the road. The path was mostly flat and open, granting me unobstructed views of the vast, stretching landscape.
I encountered wine trees and olive trees intermittently, adding to the charm of the journey. From time to time, I caught glimpses of villages nestled far away, seemingly untouched by the passage of time.
One of the highlights of my day was seeing herds of sheep, filling me with excitement and awe. Passing through the village of Navarra, I met Adam, a Polish man residing in Germany. We exchanged photographs against the backdrop of the picturesque village of Torres del Rio.
During a coffee break, I had the pleasure of met Juan from south Spain.
I stumbled upon a wooded area adorned with unfamiliar trees, adding an element of surprise to the day's exploration. The path led me to a touching sight—a pile of stones built by pilgrims as a testament to their memorable journey.
When crossing a car road, I diligently followed the yellow arrows guiding me along the Camino route. As the landscape transformed, I found myself in the El Regadio de Arbanta, surrounded by captivating mountainous terrain intertwined with green bushes and wine trees, creating a breathtaking view.
One such scenic spot with vineyards in the backdrop left me awestruck, and I couldn't resist capturing the moment with the help of fellow walkers passing by.
The entire road is pretty flat except a brief steep downhill section, but the overall experience was immensely rewarding. Finally, I arrived at Viana, where I checked into the Algergue and reunited with Adam and Juan. However, communication became an interesting hurdle, as neither Adam nor Juan spoke English. We resorted to using Google Translate to exchange messages, but our enthusiastic conversation led us to be a bit too loud in the Albergue, prompting a gentle reminder from the host to maintain tranquility.
Juan and I went out to town to look for some place for dinner. On the way, I was pleasantly surprised reunited with Kristin. Three of us walked around and decided to dine at a local restaurant located right to yet another church with a unique dinner manual for pilgrims. Following the meal, we visited the nearby church and strolled through the village, cherishing the moment and capturing more memorable pictures of our time together.
