Monday, 2 July 2012

Logrono to Najara: Waiting for the Sunrise



June 28th: We left Logrono early to beat the heat but found ourselves sitting on the side of the road waiting for it to get light.  As much as we had disparaged the sun during the heat of the day, we could not do without it.  Finally around 6:15 we were able to start walking.  The walk through the vineyards and wheat fields was lovely with the green of the vines and the pale yellow of the wheat set off by the beautiful red clay soil of the Rioja.  The smell of the growing wheat was sweet and strong and sometimes heady and overpowering. 

Najara is a beautiful old town located between the Rio Narjarillo and some extraordinary red clay mountains.  These mountains, which are not really very high, are dotted with square caves that look identical to the ones in Petra, Jordon.  Most peculiar!

It is very hard to know what the local Spanish people think of the peregrinos.  Some think us foolish, some are charming and some seem to resent us - despite the extra euros we bring into their regions.

Tomorrow, our ninth day, we head towards Santa Domingo de Calzada - oh, there is so much music in these Spanish names!


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