Travel Day #2

 Well this blog won’t be as long as Day 1 for sure. My Hostel in Madrid was nice. I think there were at least 4 floors, might have been even more. I stayed in a 6 bed mixed (boys & girls) dorm, on the 3rd floor. The room had its own shower/bathroom. Bunk beds with draw curtains, elec outlet and a night light. The only problem was the young kids kept coming in and out of the room so it was difficult to get to sleep. I had a roommate that was from Israel, has done multiply Camino’s, but was on her way to South Africa for a 2 month stay.. wow!!!!

I woke up , went down for my buffet style breakfast, then went out to explore the area before returning. Took another shower, packed up my backpack, checked out and just walked around a bit before I made my way to the train station for my trip to Pamplona. Did find a real nice park to walk through with lots of fountains a flowers, even cam across a rose garden, but not to much blooming. 

Back at the train station, I could not go down to the actual train platform until 1hr from departure. So I found a cafe and enjoyed a Nutella filled pastry, so yummy and my first no caffeine Coke Zero, first of the trip. Finally I was able to go down to the train platform, found which train I was taking, but they don’t announce what track until like 20 min before the train arrives. I had an assigned car and seat so really no need to rush. 

I had to catch two separate trains on this journey today. Each lasting about 1hr 50 min. I heard the trains were running slower because of a recent train incident, but yeah we were a good 20-25 mins late getting to Pamplona. I was not worried because today’s hostel was open until 10 pm. Both trains me seats were forward, yet the trains were going backwards. Some people I know don’t like that, but that doesn’t bother me a bit.

Got into Pamplona at 7:19pm, a good 30 mins behind schedule. I had a 1.8 mile walk to my hostel, but it felt good to be out walking and not sitting down. Pamplona is one of those cities you always hear about, because the famous running of with bulls happens here. I will actually be back in Pamplona in 4 days because the Camino comes right through here,

I found my hostel, The Aloha Hostel, I just like it for the name. Got check in, went to my room. Another 4 bed bunk bed dorm, but all they had left was the upper bunks, yikes.

Ran out to grab a quick bite to eat, did a little exploring, then back to my hostel. Took a quick shower , got my bunk bed a situated and just relaxing in my bed. Tonight I am trying the ear plugs that form to your ears, review will be coming. It’s been warm here in this part of Spain so I’m the rooms are a little on the warm side. Last night I just slept on top of my sleeping bag mostly.

Tomorrow is the last of my travel days. I take a 1hr45min bus, leaving at 10am, to SJPdP the staring point of my Camino. 

Pictures are not wanting to post, so I’ll need to figure that out, always something to work on. Anyway thanks for reading.