Safe - and tired - in Barcelona

I'm posting to you from the Hostel Aviño in the Barri Gotico (the
Gothic neighborhood), which is Barcelona's old section downtown. The
buildings are packed in close, with winding streets and evening life
that seems never to stop. It's 10:27 in the evening here, and I'm
about ready to go to bed... the first real sleep I'll have had in
around 34 hours.

We passed through Chicago and Frankfurt on our way here, and arrived
in Barcelona around 10:00 this morning, local time. After a good bit
of driving around (some intentional, some less so), we found our way
to the hostel. It's hot and muggy here tonight, and our rooms
(although very nice, in an ancient-building sort of way) will be a bit
uncomfortable tonight. No big matter, though: First off, we'll sleep
no matter what, after putting on a LOT of miles walking around
Barcelona today. Second, we'll be leaving the hostel at 3:30 tomorrow
morning (yes, about five hours from now), so we won't have much time
to swelter in our rooms.

Spain is fabulous, and although I'm utterly exhausted, I'm also very
glad to be here. Barcelona is an amazing city, and I know I'll need to
come back here again in the future.

Tomorrow will be our longest day. We will leave early in the morning,
as I mentioned, for Pamplona (about five or six hours from here, as
the locals tell it), where we will meet up with a guide who will ride
with us to the trailhead at Roncesvalles, where we will enjoy a tour.
Then it's on the road. Most days we will be done with our walking by
the siesta (at 13:00), but tomorrow we will have to walk straight
through to get to Zubiri, 14 miles away, and our beds for the night.
It should take us well into the evening, with the late start we'll be
having.

After that things should lighten up. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow
will be our crucible. If we can make it through this, then we will
finish the Camino alright.

I would write more, but I really need some sleep. I don't know when
I'll be able to update again, but when I have net access, I'll be sure
to add an update.

Thanks for your prayers - you are in my prayers, as well!