DAY 8: August 31, REST DAY IN ESTELLA

Mutti was particularly looking forward to this village as in the guide book it was described as the “embroidery centre” of Spain. However, no one we asked seemed to know this. Even those who had lived in Estelle all their lives looked askance. Undeterred we searched the shops in town but being Sunday very few were open. So the secret embroidery cartel of Estelle remains undetected. After attending to our chores (laundry and email) it was pleasant to sit in the town square (Plaze de los Fueros) with our cafe con leche and watch the townspeople. These gatherings in the “plaza” are a great part of the way of life in rural Spain. We enjoy even being on the periphery.
Estelle was founded in 1090 for pilgrims by King Sancho who granted a tax dispensation (fueros) to those coming to live in the town to provide for pilgrims. It is very pretty with its cobblestone streets demarcated with marble—as our concierge said, “from a more prosperous time in Spain”. Our hotel was right across from the cathedral—which is huge and it was all we could see from our window:-) Estelle is known as “Estella la Bella” and it truly is.