Cruising The Coast

 Day 2    San Sebastian to Getaria

Miles:                  15.5

Total Miles:          24.1

Elevation Gain        1748’

Descent                    2118’

We head to breakfast at 7 am for a wonderful buffet…this may be our best breakfast spread for the entire trip! At breakfast we meet the first Americans that are also hiking the del Norte. They are only doing a week or so, but the few hikers we have seen so far makes a stark contrast to the hundreds we saw each day. Yesterday we saw maybe 6 or so other “pilgrims”. Elaine and Chris are from Ashville, North Carolina and arranged their trip through Mac’s Adventures, as did we.

We depart the hotel to begin our day of walking and see Chris and Elaine just as their taxi arrives. Since we are over a mile from the Camino route they ask if we would like to share a taxi with them to avoid that part of the walk.  We jump at the chance and climb in. Our actual starting point avoids more than just the first mile so we are no longer “purists” as we skip the first couple of miles a steep climb. Oh well, after yesterday we deserve a break and do not missing walking through the city traffic.

The morning is sunny and gorgeous in spite of forecasts for clouds and overcast. We hit the trail at a fast pace and enjoy a day of cruising along the coast with wonderful views of the ocean. 

The day passes quickly as we pass thru farms, small villages, and long stretches of a combo of dirt trails and pavement walking. Lunch on the beach and an early arrive at our small family-run hotel in the old town of Getaria, a small fishing village located right on the coast. Getaria’s most famous citizen is Juan Sebastian Eleanor who took command of Magellan’s fleet after Magellan was killed in the Philippines and Sebastian completed the first circumnavigation of the globe.

Scot and I enjoy drinks on the patio of our hotel with the surf just below us.

The humor of the day begins just as Scot finishes a long, hot shower and throws open the bathroom door. A cloud of steam engulfs our room and immediately the fire alarm goes off throughout the entire hotel. Figuring it is just a coincidence, we ignore the noise until there is a loud frantic knock at our door. I answer the door and the young…and rather attractive manager…bursts into the room in a complete tizzy. Her eyes move to the other side of the room where Scot is standing buck naked except for a small white hand towel, strategically placed. She proceeds to excitedly question us in Spanish as to what has caused the alarm to go off and asks to inspect our bathroom. Seeing the heavily fogged mirror and Scot’s condition, she begins to understand what has happened and then questions me on my shower intentions. Satisfied with my answers she departs and I burst into howls of laughter. Can’t blame me, Scot said to answer the door.