24 Day 11 Walking Camino - from Logroño to Navarrete

 Day 11: Logroño to Narrete

(June 9, 2023)

I began my walk at 7 am this morning and reached Narrete around 11:30 am. It was a day filled with numerous fellow walkers on the Camino, although I must admit I didn't enjoy my walk as much as I have on other days. Nonetheless, it proved to be an interesting and eventful day.

Last night, I didn't sleep well, and I felt a bit under the weather with a minor cough. The scenery wasn't particularly striking until the final 3 km when I caught sight of Nararrete! On the Camino, I encountered a lovely grandmother and her grandson walking together. Discovering that they were from the USA, we naturally felt a sense of camaraderie. They noticed I was walking without sticks and insisted on giving me their extra pair. While I appreciated their kindness, I knew from experience that I wouldn't need them, and carrying both the sticks and my compact camera became quite inconvenient. So, once I arrived at my Algergue, I gratefully passed on the sticks to someone who could use them.

My walk commenced by passing through various parts of Logroño, including residential areas and parks. In one of the parks, I had the pleasure of witnessing a man training a magnificent German Shepherd, seemingly as a military dog. The dog performed some impressive and challenging tasks, leaping over high objects and obstacles with incredible speed and grace.

Today was different from other days as there were no vast open fields adorned with wildflowers, but we did pass by some picturesque vineyards.

As we approached Navarrete, we encountered an ancient hospital site that once catered to Peregrinos like us, as well as some significant wineries.

Throughout my journey, the symbol of the Camino shell signs was a constant presence, marking our path and guiding us on this meaningful pilgrimage.

Here are some photos I took during my walk:

A Man with his magnificent German Shepherd!

An ancient hospital site

Arrived Navarrete!

My Albergue

23- Logroño

Logroño, the capital of the province of La Rioja, is located in northern Spain with rich history and vibrant traditions. The city has been a significant stop for pilgrims traveling the Camino de Santiago. Logroño is renowned for its wine production and its delectable gastronomy, particularly the pintxos (Basque tapas) bars.

Upon checking into my Albergue, I wasted no time and set out to explore the city. The old town charmed me with its narrow, colorful cobblestone streets, reminiscent of other medieval Spanish towns. The vibrant atmosphere was enhanced by the numerous colorful flags hanging on the streets, hinting at some ongoing festival.

As I strolled further, I reached the modern part of town and enjoyed a delightful lunch at a restaurant, with doves eagerly eyeing my meal. Afterward, I made my way to Puente de Hierro to take in more of the city's picturesque bridges and the majestic Puente de Piedra over the Ebro River.

Returning to the old town, I continued my exploration, delighting in local delicacies and marveling at architectural gems like the Churches of Concatedral de Santa Maria de la Redonda and El Parlamento. I also watched as local children prepared for the upcoming festival and enjoyed various street activities.

Before calling it a day, I visited the Churches of Concatedral de Santa Maria de la Redonda and observed the activities happening on June 8th.

However, that night in Logroño was a bit noisy, and the celebration on the streets outside of our window continued until around 3 am. Unfortunately, the next morning, I woke up with a mild cold. The Albergue where I stayed had a large room with many beds, and I suspected that I might have caught the cold from one of my roommates.

the Churches of Concatedral de Santa Maria de la Redonda

Puente de Piedra

Children getting ready for festival

El Parlamento

Puente de Hierro

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In many Spanish cities and towns, including Logroño, you will often see decorative flags hanging on the streets during festivals and special occasions. These flags are an essential part of the festive decoration and contribute to creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

These decorative flags are usually called "banderolas" or "banderas" in Spanish. They come in various shapes, colors, and designs, adding a touch of beauty and charm to the streets. During festivals like the San Bernabé festival in Logroño, you will find the city adorned with these flags, creating a festive ambiance that celebrates the occasion.