Apricots tackled the laundry, a necessary task after days on the trail, while Psycho sorted through gear to determine what could be sent home. The Camino can be demanding, and lightening our load seemed like a prudent choice. However, we quickly discovered that finding a postal service open on a Saturday was more challenging than anticipated. Every office we sought out was closed, forcing us to carry the extra gear for another day or two until we could find an open post office further along the route.
Determined not to let this minor setback dampen our spirits, we turned our attention to navigating Bilbao's public transportation system. This proved to be a bit of an adventure in itself, especially after Psycho realized he had made a mistake in our itinerary, missing a day of mileage. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it allowed Apricots' feet some much-needed healing time. The public transportation system will be our ally, enabling us to skip over a reportedly dull industrial zone that many pilgrims advised against walking.
Next on our agenda was shoe shopping. The search for more breathable, supportive footwear was paramount given the wear and tear on our feet. We had anxiety figuring out how a mall works, its different over here. Each floor of the mall was focused differently, but many vendors shared the floor space, rather than the individual brand cubicles you see in American malls. We left the mall before our heads became too overwhelmed.
Down the street we found a shoe store. The saleswoman helped Apricots find what wr hope to be a perfect pair (like us). We are hopeful that these new shoes will carry us comfortably through the remaining kilometers of our journey.
With our new shoes in hand, or rather on foot, we sought out a classic meal to recharge our energies: hamburgers, fries, and a shake. This simple yet satisfying lunch gave us a taste of home in the midst of our travels, providing a comforting respite from the more traditional Spanish fare we'd been enjoying.
In the afternoon, we made our way to the Guggenheim Museum, an iconic symbol of Bilbao. While we didn't venture inside, the museum's stunning exterior, designed by architect Frank Gehry, was a sight to behold. Gehry was Psycho's favorite architect when he was a student of Architecture. The titanium-clad structure gleamed in the light, its curves and lines creating a dynamic piece of art in its own right. The Puppy, a large floral sculpture by Jeff Koons, stood guard at the entrance. Apricots argues that it is a kitten.
Our exploration concluded with a café con leche at a nearby café, a moment to reflect on our day's adventures and plan for the next leg of our journey. We wandered semi aimlessly in the direction of the B&B taking in the sights.
In the evening, we bought some groceries and enjoyed a simple dinner in the comfort of our room. The rest day had been both productive and relaxing, a necessary pause before continuing our trek.
Tomorrow, we'll commute to Pobena to resume our hike, hopeful to reconnect with our fellow pilgrims, Joe and Emilie, who bravely continued through today's dense rain. The Camino del Norte has already offered us many experiences, and we look forward to those that lie ahead.
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