Two years ago I started the dream I am about to embark on. Come to think of it, it was in the summer of 2001 when the seed was planted. This seed them sprouted, grew, flowered, ending with spores floating upwarded to seed another dream, my current dream. To achieve this dream of hosting on the Camino which requires a few qualifications like walking the Camino( I completed my 776 km in 2007), staying in donativo alberques (I have snoring scars to provide I did and a few stamps from staying in them), and being a member of the American Pilgrims on the Camino (I became a member in 2023), I signed up for Hospitalero Training in 2024 and completed it March 2024. The next step was applying to host in 2025 while I accrued vacation days to be able to take off 3 weeks. My application was accepted knowing I do not speak Spanish. I was assigned to a donativo hostel in Logrono. A mid-size city in the La Rioja region located on the eastern side bordering France (I think). With Logrono being the capitol of this region, there is plenty to do. There are city parks for walking, the old city center with tiny alley ways brimming with tapas bars, public transportation, cafes, shops, and places for me to spend money.
Orginally, I was thinking I would like to be in a remote place out in the country for peace and quiet. Then I realized that would be too much peace and quiet and not enough cafes to try. I am happy with my placement. Start date to volunteer is October 15 to ovelap a day with the current hosts to get the latest on this hostel. Rather than jumping right in, I am giving my self a few days to recover from travel fatigue in Bilboa where I land. My flight today is Seattle to Amsterdam, wait 2 hours, Amsterdam to Bilbao. I arrive during the safety of daylight allowing me to locate the Buzbizkak A3427 bus going to the city center (need to review my notes for correct spelling of the bus and number). The hotel I am staying at is reported to be a 15 minute walk from the 2nd bus stop.
Gate A13 is my departure gate. I am nearby with 3 hours until flight time. A cloudy, rainy day in Seattle. Weather in Bilbao and Logrono is showing partly sunny with temps reaching into the low 70's. I can deal with that.
Nagging question, am I forgetting something? What will I wish I brought by the end of the 3 weeks? What will I realize was a dumb thing to carry? Right now I am guessing my pear.
Gate A13 is my departure gate. I am nearby with 3 hours until flight time. A cloudy, rainy day in Seattle. Weather in Bilbao and Logrono is showing partly sunny with temps reaching into the low 70's. I can deal with that.
Nagging question, am I forgetting something? What will I wish I brought by the end of the 3 weeks? What will I realize was a dumb thing to carry? Right now I am guessing my pear.
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