After yesterday’s hike in the wind and rain, I had decided on a rest day today. Everything is comparative, so while it was a rest day compared to recent days, it was not a day of indolence. Staying in Zarautz does not mean doing nothing.
First of all, after seven days on the trail, I had clothes to wash. Thanks to the power of Google Maps, I was able to find a laundromat, or lavanderia as it is called in Spain, and not only that, one that was open on a Sunday. It was over on the other side of town, so after a leisurely breakfast, I walked over there. Even today, there has been intermittent rain, so I needed my cape. The lavanderia is in a less salubrious area of the town, a district of aging factories and not very inviting stores.
There was one customer there when I went in. Shortly after I put my clothes in to wash, his were coming out of the dryer. He was putting them into a rucksack, so I asked him if he was another caminente. No, he replied, that he was living in a nearby disused factory that has been closed for over ten years, and this was just the place where he did his washing. We chatted a bit, and wished each other luck, and off he went. The entire process of washing and drying takes about an hour, and then I walked back again to the pension.
I would have liked to go into the local church, but mass was in progress, and I did not want to disturb the service. Also, in these times of pandemic, I am avoiding crowds. There is a sign on the church door to say that it would only allow 250 people at mass, but even that is too much for me. However, on the church wall was the symbol that all caminentes look for: the scallop shell.
After a lunch that was every bit as leisurely as breakfast, I went for a further walk around the town. Zarautz, though small, seems to have very distinct districts. My accommodation is in what would best be described as the old part of town. I mentioned the semi-industrial district where the lavanderia is. There is the seafront district. And there is also a fairly residential district at the eastern end of the town. I went back to the church, but it was closed, as was another that I found while walking around. Perhaps I might have a chance tomorrow as I go on my way. But I did enjoy a walk along the seafront in better conditions than when I arrived here yesterday. I present here some photos of the town.
Even though it has been a rest day, I still walked over 11,000 steps.
Walkingman 