Day 4: Zubiri to Arre 15.8 km (7:30am - 2pm)
(May 30, 2023)
This day's walk on the Camino proved to be one of the most interesting and eventful experiences. Before setting off in the morning, I went downstairs to talk things over with Lilian. The previous night, she had sent me a text message expressing her desire to walk alone. However, after discussing our thoughts and feelings, she decided to continue walking with me.
We began our walk together and took some photos at Rabies Bridge. From there, we fell into different paces with her walking much faster than me, but we planned to meet at the end of the walk at our Albergue (more details on that later).
This particular stretch of the Camino was truly captivating. I encountered various people along the way and traversed diverse terrains and scenery. The trail took us through shaded woodlands, narrow paths, and wide-open fields, uphill and downhill at times sharing the route with bikers. We crossed car roads, with wildflowers blooming in vibrant colors, and passed through charming small villages. Every moment was filled with breathtaking beauty.
First, I met Maria from Bazile. She shared that she had walked multiple Camino routes, including the Camino Portugal, Camino England, and now the Camino de Santiago. We chatted, took some selfies together, and she gifted me a pair of plastic hand and finger charms, symbolizing the friends I would meet on the Camino de Santiago. We bid farewell as she walked at a faster pace than me.
Later, while walking up a hill towards a village, I noticed a young girl sitting near a flower field, enjoying a cup of hot coffee. Her name is Elina. I joined her at the spot, and we rested together, chatting and taking turns capturing photos with the flowers. I managed to capture a delightful moment when a local dog joined us to play.
While pausing to photograph a small poppy field, I unexpectedly met up with Stephen again. He suggested that we spend the night at a nearby church where he had stayed during his previous Caminos. He shared a photo and informed me that he had seen Lilian a while ago. I quickly contacted Lilian, sharing the address of the church, and fortunately, she hadn't passed it yet. It was meant to be since Lilian and I had decided not to make any plan to where to stop and stay but go with flow and to fully explore and experience Camino.
Towards the end, I met Danil from Sweden and engaged in a brief conversation before parting ways. He continued his walk while I reached my destination at Arre.
Around 2 p.m. I arrived at the church Stephen had instructed me. I reunited with Stephen and Lilian at the church. Additionally, there was a mother-daughter duo also waiting for the church to open.
While waiting at outside of church, Stephen went into town and returned with groceries. He kindly informed Lilian and me that he had purchased groceries for both of us. He offered to cook us dinner for just 5 euros. We gratefully accepted his generous proposal.
Finally, the host of the church arrived and checked us in. The church turned out to be a grand establishment with beautiful gardens and numerous beds. Stepping inside, I felt as if I had entered heaven. It became one of the most memorable places I had stayed throughout the entire journey, and the dinner experience that followed was equally unforgettable.
Here are today's photos took along the way:
Fresh in the morning on Rabies Bridge
