May 5th, 2017
Pasajes de San Juan toCampground 2km north of Zarautz
Km walked: 28
Km total: 44
We both slept well on account of our earplugs. They really saved us last night. The rhino in the room went at it all night long, and even though we could still hear him, it was faint and not a bother.
Dawn soon broke and sunlight slowly petered through the window. We gathered our things as everyone else continued to sleep or lay in bed, and we were out of the hostel by 7, walking down toward a dock in order to cross the pasajes to the other side via ferry boat.
A small green boat greeted us at the dock and we forked over the 0,70 euros each to get ferried across the way. It was a short 5 minute ride along smooth water, and we caught a glimpse of the Atlantic just out to our north. A mouth formed from two mountains at the pasajes, descending sharply into the water, with cliffs and rocks and shallow trees. There was a beacon there, and the light was yellow and bright, standing out amongst the grey world and overcast sky, warning small ships and boats of the rocks and shallow shores.
We climbed up one of these hills to cross over to the east, and we walked along a single track trail that hugged rolling hills just above cliffs that crashed into the sea. It was more than beautiful. Short trees lined the path along with green shrubs, and the world was serene and calm as we walked along, following the yellow arrows that marked the way.
We descended into San Sebastian after a few miles, which is a larger city by the shore. It has beautiful old buildings that watch over the long and curved beach. Stand up paddle boarders were out in the bay and a group of children were playing kickball on the sand. People were out walking and running and riding bikes, enjoying their city and the cool weather, which was now starting to break.
We passed more farms on our way out of the city that all overlooked the ocean. White sheep and black goats grazed grass that was too green and lounged in the shade, while donkeys and ponies stood and ate hay.
We are camped at a campground tonight overlooking Zarautz. It is raining lightly and thunder is booming off in the distance. The birds are singing despite the dreary weather, and the wind sings too, although it’s more of a howl than a nice melody.
The Camino Norte is shaping up to be something quite nice, and I feel like I’m on an adventure. This is a feeling that I like, and I hope it continues.
