After Sta. Celia (9 euro) and a very nice alburgue, I walked to Arres. This is a BEAUTIFUL little town atop a mountain, and when you come around the hill and see it, it´s like a fairytale village! The alburgue was donativo, the only one along the route so far. There were few pilgrims that night, maybe 6, and we had a lovely dinner and breakfast next morning. I really enjoyed my stay here. I ran into a lady I met on the bus to Pamplona. She had fallen on her way into Arres, and had the same two shiners that Wolverine had!
From Arres, I walked to Artieda and planned to sleep there. But the lady who ran the Pilgrim Alburgue(10 euro) there was horribly rude. So I ate my meal (which was good for 9 euro), grabbed my gear and continued on to Ruesta.
Ruesta was fantastic! The walk there was flat, but the bugs were horrible on the way in. You walk through a very tight path through forest, and you cannot stop for the mosquito swarms. If you look carefully, however, there is an OPEN pathway where a farmer drives his tractor right next to the tight path... I figured that out and the rest of the walk was nice.
The hostel is very nice at 9 euro. The dinner was also offered, but I had food to eat. I believe it was 10 euro and my French friends said it was very good. He also offered breakfast and a picnic breakfast for 3 euro, which I accepted and enjoyed.
From Ruesta, the walk was difficult, similar to the climb up Alto Perdon, but longer. And once at the top of the hill, the wind began to blow. It was like walking in a hurricane the rest of the way, with 2 steps forward and 3 steps back. By the time we reached Sanguesa, we were torn to pieces and battered... It took about 2 hours longer than usual because of the wind in our faces. I cannot describe it except it was STRONG and COLD.
After battling the winds again this morning, we decided at Monreal to take the bus to Pamplona and walk to Puente la Reina tomorrow from there. The wind is just too strong and it makes walking very difficult.
All in all, the Aragones is a spectacular route and I would highly recommend it for someone who is considering a Camino, even for their first. There is nothing on it as difficult as the stretch from San Jean Pied du Port to Roncevalles... and the scenery is just as incredible!
Ok.. that´s my report. Time to eat and sleep.. Gotta walk again tomorrow.
Oh yes.. P.S. Not one single bedbug was spied along this route!
Buen Camino!!
