OK. Here's the deal.
Day9/10 will be text only because I have a limited battery life on my computer.
We made a mistake. We have two adaptor/convertors for Spanish outlets to our US devices.
We accidentally left one in Navarrete. So in Azofra, we decided to be clever and use our power strip to be able to charge more than one thing at a time. Plugged it in, big popping sound. And suddenly no one on the floor had power (people in other rooms were complaining).
Jana called the landlady and said it seemed the floor had no power, and could they fix it. They re-flipped the breaker, but our adaptor was fried. Azofra has no stores with adaptors. Have to wait until you get to Santo Domingo.
Got to Santo Domingo. It is Sunday (Domingo). Everything is closed. *Except* the Plaza Oriental. They were open and seem to have everything. I bought 3 of those things that take wall power and turn to USB. It works great for our phones and for our power-bricks. But it does not work for my computer. So it has 4hr of charge left. Not enough to type and upload photos. So text for now.
We left Navarrete at 7AM, shortly after the sun cleared the horizon. A bit cold to start. Most of the early walk was among vineyards. As we approached Ventosa, some 5km later, there was an art walk along the path over the course of 1km, which was unexpected. Photos will come later.
At Ventosa, we ate a breakfast at a local bar, and then continued. More vineyards. Lots of rocky soil. Lots of hills.
The next town, Najera, was a larger city. The parts we walked through were run-down. There were some nice areas along the river, though. And we saw a white-crane nest (pictures will come when I have power), and we found a building where the limestone tiles have fossils embedded within them.
After was a long climb up a dirt road, and then a descent into Azofra. At the crest, a Russian man named "Max" or "David" (neither of which are his real name) gave a lecture about how the US and Russia need to save Europe from left-leaning politics. He went on for quite some time. Fortunately, one of our prior acquaintances came over the hill and gave us an excuse to continue down the road.
A wonderful small town. We met some friends (from the trail) and looked for a place for a late lunch. Outside of one restaurant, the whole city was shut down. There was a huge party for someone turning 80 (and they were all at the restaurant). The sign said (in spanish) - "Today, Paella only". I tried ordering a paella, and the restaurant manager sighed and said no paella now, because of the party. But maybe in 2 hrs.
2hrs later, we returned, and the four of us ordered one vegetarian paella and one sausage fideo - they were both spectacular. Best meal so far.
And then the party moved outside for live music and dancing. We sat and listened for the next couple hours. But no dancing (Jana's leg is still giving some troubles). An amazing party. Video will be attached.
For the birds, found 27 species, of which 4 were new, including an Iberian Green Woodpecker and a red-legged partridge.
Day 10 (Azofra to Santo Domingo). We started the morning a little later to avoid the early morning chills, about 8AM. We walked along a number of vineyards, and then fields of grain/peas over rolling hills.
We skirted one city (Ciruena), but just through a subdivision and golf-course.
And then more fields and farmland, and into Santo Domingo.
Got the power-plugs. Got food. Got checked into our place for the night. Verified phone/batteries are charging. Then found the computer will not charge.
Got cleaned up. Typed a blog entry. Now time to go back to the Plaza Oriental to see if maybe they have a something else....
26 species today (1 new - a Red-backed Shrike - picture will come later).
Tomorrow, while I walk, Jana is going to take a bus to give her leg a day of rest. On the Camino, you do what you need to do.
Until later.
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