Day 06: La Rapita to Amposta

Date	29 Jun 2025 ( Sunday )
Today's Distance:	8 miles / 13   km
Total This Camino:	26 miles
Total All Caminos:	1646 miles
Route and Stats
Lodging (Deb & I):	€ 20 @ Assc albergue Alberg de Pelegrines, Amics del Cami
Total Lodging:	$ 241
Total Airplane(s):	$ 1360
Travel Insurance (Larry):	$ 360
Buses / Trains / Taxis (Deb & I):
Total Buses / Trains / Taxis:	$ 205
Food (Deb & I) :	€ 50
Total Food:	$ 342

On the Road

5:30 a.m. Wake up. Grabbing a little extra sleep because of the interruption of the unexpected power outage in the barrio last night.

6:30 a.m. breakfast finished and on the road.

09:30. Stopped in bar for a quick coffee on the outskirts of Amposta.

10:15 a.m. Straight through hike this morning. Despite the bright sun and lack of a breeze, it was a better walk than yesterday morning. Have now reached our association albergue which is right on the Ebro River. Looks like a good place to rest. 

From Deb

We made it to Amposta at about 9:30am and enjoyed a quick coffee in a local bar before meeting the hospitalera of our public, peregrinos-only albergue.  Created in 2019, the albergue is exceptionally modern and clean; we have the whole place to ourselves.  After showering and throwing our laundry into a washing machine – what a luxury! – we set off to find food for today and for our hike tomorrow. We zig-zagged from one shady spot to the next (Temp had reached 98) until we found a couple of halal markets (only ones open here on Sunday).  We bought a bit of cheese, sausage, yogurt and a sweet and met a delightfully helpful young man. Larry immediately bonded with him over his “runner’s” T-shirt. 

On our round-about way home (got a bit lost), we spotted some places for tapas later today. 

Meaningful Moment

Albergue Amposta, which is run by an association, was only 10 Euros per person which is quite a difference from the 60 to 80 euros per room per night that we've been paying. But that is the difference between a business and an association run albergue.

Deb and I walked thru several stores, using our Spanish to both buy groceries and trade humor with the Ampostans. This is why we work so hard at our Spanish - so we can actually interact, and the appreciation on their faces when we do, makes it all worth it.

Divina, our hospitalera "hostess", at the albergue was the absolute example of graciousness and kindness. 

She easily spent half an hour checking us in and then giving us detailed explanations of where to find places to shop and to get something to eat. 

Her smile was engaging and she fully communicated and Spanish to us at an equal level, without talking down to us with our broken Spanish. 

I would put her on par with the best, association-supported albergue caretakers that I've met on my caminos.

Random Thought of the Day

At the albergue

Sitting in the patio of the albergue, there is a strong, warm but refreshing breeze blowing through the courtyard. 

Our albergue does not have a/c so hopefully the ceiling fans provide some comfort tonight.

About the weather

The heat extremes continue, and are likely to get worse. 

We will 

• continue with shorter stages
• start at 6:00 a.m. and end by noon
• use taxis where necessary

Dinner

Went to the bar Nova Gracia as recommended by Divina, our hospitalera, our hostess at the albergue. 

Started out with a green salad that we shared and which disappeared pretty quickly. 

So we followed up with deep fried calamari ( just me ) and french fries ( just Deb ).

Ended with a vanilla ice cream tart and chocolate syrup. That was shared lol.

And each of us had two glasses of sparkling water on the rocks. 

On the way back to the Albergue, we had a nice walk. We checked out the way out of town tomorrow.

Leaving La Rapita

Following the irrigation ditch this morning. 

Being off the road, even by some 10's of feet, made a big difference in hiking comfort.

Morning over the outskirts of La Rapita

Deb is in the lead.

Occasional moments to really get "in the zone".

Alberg de Pelegrines, Amposta

Albergue on the left

Under an American Sycamore ( according to AI )

The Rio Ebro flows right past our albergue. 

Watching clothes dry, which in this heat and breeze takes about 15 minutes

Traffic circle across the street from the albergue

Dinner

Plaza where we ate at Novo Gracia

Tomorrow we pass by this bridge that we explored tonight.

Holding hands in the evening sun as we walk along the Rio Ebro, back to the Albergi de Pelegrines to prepare for tomorrow's  10 mile hike.