4th stage Mutriku to Markina-Xemein

Last night, for the first time on my tour, I sat at a large table with about 20 pilgrims for dinner. It was a diverse group and many languages were spoken... I think.

I didn't understand everything, but I had a lot of fun... as always. At the table, there were 3 people from Northern Italy who, as it turned out when I mentioned Fiorella and Jan's wedding in Bologna, believed that all residents there are communists... changing the subject.

Today felt like a scene from 'The Lord of the Rings / The Fellowship of the Ring'. It's almost always the same people who meet. Few of us walk together, but we meet and chat during breaks.

Today, the trail seems less challenging, despite the intense sunshine... I'm just in a good mood.

Once again, I reach my destination for the day, Markina-Xemein, quite early. The stage was shorter than planned since I continued walking yesterday.

And once again, the same situation. All 3 hostels in town listed in the guidebook are closed. A young man shows me the way to a hostel just outside the town. I'm so lucky to get the last bed.

Now it's time for a change of strategy. I write an email in (Google Translate) Spanish to the hostel for my destination tomorrow, Gernika. If I don't receive a response in the next 2 - 3 hours, I'll call them... that should be fun.

Since I have some extra time today, I take a sightseeing tour of the town, which is quite "compact".

So, back to the hostel and relax until dinner... it feels good.