Day 5: Happiness is an olive orchard

Dear traveler,

It's time to leave the city of bulls behind us. 

The full belly and the balloons hanging from my backpack are checked. I'm ready!

We hit the road quite early, knowing that today we will have a bit more to walk than yesterday.

Pamplona's streets are quite empty, although from time to time you can see a person or two next to the long row of pilgrims.

It takes a while until we reach the outskirts of the town, following a metal shell that shows up every now and then through the stone tiles. Then guess what, another town. I like towns from time to time but I feel that I would like to see those fluffy grass fields. They start showing up once we leave the second town. And what an appearance they make!

Endless yellowish fields that are caressing the sky when they meet at the horizon. I did not say this, but Mamarmot, of course, but I like how it sounds!

The view is very beautiful and although we start climbing slowly, I don't feel the effort. I think this feeling comes from my two balloons, that help me fly. For sure!

In the distance I can see some big white things, that are spinning around. 

-"What are those?"

-"Marmot, those are windmills."

You mean, they make wind or what? Dad explains me what they do and I understand better. I can't wait to get closer so I can see them better. 

As we climb towards them, I can't believe my eyes. I could never imagine they are so big. 

We reach the top of the hill, the big climb of the day. I did not feel this climb at all, I'm telling you. I'm sure it has something to do with my balloons and maybe with the windmills.

This hill, Alto del Perdon or the Hill of Forgiveness is very interesting. I discovered here some metal statues, that, according to my folks, represent the pilgrims that walk the Camino. 

Mamarmot reads what's written on one of the statues - Donde se cruza el camino del viento con el de las estrellas - or - Where the path of the wind crosses with that of the stars. How beautiful!

I really like these statues, but coming back to my windmills...they are fantastic..

Not sure if it's because of the windmills or not, but the wind is quite strong....aaah, so this is why they put the windmills here..now I get it. One thing is for sure..it's getting a bit chilly out here so it's time to move forward. The clouds as well are starting to gather in more and more layers.

From here it's only descent on paths full of rocks and beautiful sights. 

But could we have gotten away without a rain shower? Of course not...we gear up, ourselves and the backpack and as we are not too good at this it takes us around five minutes, while we sweat under our raincoats and rain pants. When we finally hit the road..rain is over. Come on...for a five minute rain we struggled this much? This is so annoying.

When I remove my raincoat i notice that my balloons went flat. Nooooo! Oh...

At least we have this beautiful after rain scent in the air!

I think that in the distance we start seeing the little town where we are going to sleep tonight. 

Together with Mamarmot, we try recognizing the plants around us, when we get to some trees she is not sure about. Let's get closer.

-"Marmot, these are olives, your favorite!"

I had no clue that olives grow in trees.

I want someone to lift me up so I can eat the entire tree: I crave for olives!

What great joy to be in an olive orchard with all the olives in the world just for yourself!

But Mamarmot says that olives are not good to eat like that, directly from the olive tree. Hmmm..okay..I will just take some with me, maybe they will ripe in my pocket. I'll call them green candy from now on!

In the beautiful town of Puente la Reina or the Bridge of the Queen, we enter pretty cheerful, more me than dad, who is not feeling quite well.

I find out that in this town, a big stone bridge was built by a queen to help the pilgrims pass. Here, in Puente la Reina, two Camino ways meet, ours and Camino Aragonés.

We check in and enjoy some peace and quiet in the inner yard, where I can play. Even if I did not feel the effort today, I'm kind of hungry so I will order the pilgrim's menu as well. I'm explaining the waiter what the green candy is and I show him, and when he returns, he has a handful of candy and a chocolate egg.

I'm happy and on a full belly and I could fall asleep within minutes now. 

Getting ready to sleep, dad tells us that tomorrow he will go to the doctor, so most likely we will stick around for one more day and we won't move further. No worries, at least me and Mamarmot will have some time to explore this wonderful town, correct? Camino will not go anywhere.

Thinking about dad, hoping that he will be alright, at fluffy meadows and green candy orchards, I slip into the realm of dreams.