Santiago de Compostela -> Vitoria
Away around 8:15, ride to the bus station and fold the trailer and remove the front wheels to have the bikes and gear stowed in the ALSA bus to Vitoria. No fuss - excellent. Some debate over seating until everyone sits in their designated seats. Somewhat sad to be leaving Santiago de Compostela after such a brief time. There’s lots to explore and the mix of pilgrims, locals, tourists and students makes for a pleasant and affordable city. We compare it to Bruges and Prague. Numerous towns pass in a blur as we travel east. At one brief stop Lisa leaps off to go to the WC and the bus leaves without her. Picture Jonathan trying to convince the bus drive to stop with next to no Spanish - “mi chica, WC estacion.” The driver is not impressed but stops the bus and Jonathan runs back to the station to find a sheepish Lisa. Lots of “lo siento’s” back on the bus. It gets hotter and hotter at the back of the bus, even with curtains blocking direct sun. We are grateful to reach Vitoriia around 7pm. Reassemble trailer and gear. Once we orient ourselves, we ride through the old town full of grafitti and bars. It looks seedy and dangerous compared to Santiago de Compostela. Drop down to newer part of town. Once again can’t find info centre. Stay at Residencia Casa 400. Walk city streets but fail to locate supermercado. Spy several maps through the now closed doors of several bookstores and decide to have a go at visiting Rioja tomorrow. Wander back to accommodation to self-cater.