We headed out before sunrise this morning without ever meeting the proprietors of the hotel we were staying at in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. We had made the arrangements back in Rochester. We planned to see how far we got before booking a room for tonight and we made it to Ronceveles, an eight and half hour walk over the Pyrenees. We have settled down in an old monastery that has been artfully converted to a hotel.
We were sitting on a bus going in the opposite direction on this same route yesterday, negotiating a series of hair-pin turns. The driver gave us a talk before departure, telling us the bus would stop and start a lot and there would be some bumps so if we felt sick he said we should use a plastic bag and he demonstrated with one. Then he gestured toward the door and said. “I stop the bus. You go out and you throw up.” It wasn’t so bad.
Today the route was mostly off road, along streams that cut through valleys and mountainsides on enchanted pathways with wildflowers and cherry blossoms. And then pastures with long horned sheep and breathtaking views, gorgeous woods with water seeping out of the ground and trees covered in moss and lichen.
In one day we met two people who are doing the Camino for the second time. We’ve just gotten started and I too would like to do it again.
4 Comments
Thank you for sharing your experience of one of my great fantasies. Keep it coming and stay healthy.
Martin, you should make your fantasy happen.
It already sounds wonderful!! Thank you for sharing this amazing adventure! Look forward to more! xoxo
Ah , yeah , Martin . Do it while you can . I have proof ! Wait just one day too long and you spend the rest of your adventures from your couch !