Norte – Day 6 – Markina to Gernika

Hurray, the sun finally showed up! We started the day from Markina thanks to a lift from our Hotel staff. The same person who was our waiter last night; Jon. Jon was a gracious host to us last night, and was up early to help serve breakfast this moring… The Hotel Resturant was busy until at least midnight with locals, so Jon and the owners (two brothers) were busy into the night cleaning up before arrising early enough to prepare breakfast for the guests…. We learned last night that Jon is a traveler, and had just gotten back from a 5 month trip to Africa. Anyway, once again we experienced the graciousness of the Basque/Spanish people who kindly went out their way to take care of us.

We had beautiful weather today, and set out with Steven for another day. The trail today was one of the better ones that followed streams on again off again for a good portion of the day. A babbling brook is so much more peaseful than passing cars, or in the case of today passing dirt bikes. Oddly we had a half dozen motorcycles pass us on the trail today. That tended to shock us out of the Camino bliss for a few moments until the exhast fumes passed. However, we could hear them speeding on for some time. Turns out there was a dirt bike track some ways up that they went of off too.

We stopped for coffee, in a town about 5 KM out of Markina. As I walked into the cafe to order some coffee, I was greated with SEAHAWKS! Are you from Seattle? ( I was wearing my Seahawks shirt today) Yes, I am. “Me too. I am from Federal Way, and my friend is from Bellevue, she will be here in a few minutes…” We then had to pose for a picture for some friends of Pam (from Federal Way) who were from Austriala and have good friends in Seattle who are big Seahawks fans. (Look at me, I am a celebrity just for wearing a Seahawks t-shirt. Pardon me while I enjoy my 1 second of fame. LOL)

Along the way today we met two couples from South Africa as well. Which we learned again that many of our trail companions would also be staying at the same hotel as us.

After a great day walking we arrived in Gernika. Gernika is a city that has an unfortunate tragic history. You see, Franko the soon to become Spanish dictator allied himself with Hitler in the 1930’s, during the Spanish Cival War. Franko had the city of Gernika bombed during market day when the city would be filled with innocent people who would be in the town square for the market. The horrific event inspired a painting by Pablo Picaso that captures the horror experienced by the people.

As we arrived at the hotel, we were looking forward to a nice shower and clean clothes. But one problem. Our luggage transfer service also known as the Spanish Postal Service failed to pick up and deliver our bags. And today being Saturday, you can only imagine how much trouble we had getting a hold of someone. However, once again the kindness of the Basque/Spanish people showed through. The Hotel staff helped us call the baggage service (aka Post Office) to get the issue straightend out. The hotel staff went way out their way calling the company over an over again and convinced them to have a taxi pick up and deliver our bags. The company was just going to have the bags picked up and sent to the correct destination the next day….)

While we were waiting for our bags, we showered and went into town for dinner. The town was hoping on a warm/dry Saturday night. We were very much out of place and attracted much attention. Perhaps it was my new fame with my Seahawks shirt… or more likely it may have been our trail gear on and muddy boots.

Despite the challenges with our luggage, it reminded us to have ” an attitude of grattiude” and be thankful for the kindness of people. Sometimes mistakes happen, and those are there to help you clean up the mess are not the ones who caused it. A little kindness and graciousness towards them is often rewarded. We are grateful to the kind people who helped us today. Perhaps it was payment for the kindness we may have show someone in the past. And yes, our bags did arrive which gave us more reasons to be thankful. Clean clothes! At least for one more day.

Tommorrow we arrive in Bilboa and will take a rest day. We can use it; as we feel like the dog in the last picture… too tired to even make it to the top of the steps. 🙂

Buen Camino