We woke up at dawn under Montserrat with a general idea - head towards the northern coast on our way eventually to Santiago de Compostela in the northwestern autonomous province of Galicia. We were not equipped with our own coffee (yet?). So, the first stop was the nearest café to get ready for a journey towards Pamplona. By coincidence, the running of the bulls was going on.
Into Aragón
In the pristine morning light, we arose, nestled under the monumental Montserrat, ready for the next leg of our journey. Our general path, still vague and wonderfully spontaneous, led us towards Spain's northern coast, the far-off Santiago de Compostela in Galicia on our mental compass.
Our first mission was a familiar one – finding coffee. However, coffee was no longer just a morning brew for us, but a catalyst of cultural immersion, a shared ritual of joining local rhythms, a tiny sip of Spain.
In the charming "Forn la Nova" café, we found much more than just a hot cup of coffee. Conversations flowed in Spanish and Catalán. The café owner, it turned out, had spent some time living in New York City and was very talkative in Spanish, English and Catalán - Espangleisalán. Her words painted a captivating picture of a secret beach up north, her "favorite place in all of Spain."
With fresh coffee in our system and a new secret destination in our minds, we started our journey towards Huesca, en route to Pamplona, Bilbao, and eventually to the clandestine coastal gem. Being pilgrims, en route to the famed Santiago de Compostela, people were even more kind. We were no longer just average tourists.
Along the way, as we approached the Catalunya/Aragon border, a captivating castle loomed in the distance. We were becoming spoiled by such splendid sights, but Montfalcó Murallat was particularly enticing.
As we strolled around this grand structure, the magic of the day continued to unfurl. Intriguingly, this historic castle was home to modern amenities - electricity, internet, and even a functioning church, whose serenity we glimpsed through the keyhole of the locked door. A friendly feline decided to accompany us, adding a touch of warmth to the cool stone walkways.
Our castle visit serendipitously coincided with lunchtime (Diná), so we found ourselves at a cozy restaurant within the castle walls, with the now familiar ménu del día. Language barriers slightly hindered our ordering process, yet we navigated through the challenges with the help of the elderly waitress. By the end of the meal, we found ourselves laughing with her as our comprehension of Catalán took a small step forward.
Our journey from Catalunya into Aragón came with a tinge of sadness, a nostalgic longing for the charm we were leaving behind. Yet, the spirit of exploration nudged us forward. As the landscape transformed into vast agricultural plains, we were reminded that each region held its unique allure.
We started back into the mountains towards Ayerbe and saw a beautiful blue lake.
As the sun started to dip, we rolled into the town of Ayerbe, welcomed by the still standing castles and a beautiful Aragón flag fluttering in the wind.
Our refuge for the night was "Camping la Banera," where we recharged, replenished, and rejuvenated ourselves under the starlit Aragón sky.
Spain continues to charm us with each passing day, with each new horizon. We drift to sleep, our minds dancing with dreams of the secret beach, the enigmatic Santiago de Compostela, and the fascinating journey that lay ahead.