Over the Pyrenees

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Saint-jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles:
I went bed last night and fell asleep fairly easily for once. I woke up around 6am, had breakfast and a couple of coffee, packed my backpack, and was out the door before 7:30. I went a block down the street to see if I could someone to take a photo of me at the Spanish Gate. A youngish guy said sure, took my photo, and ended walking with me all the way to Roncesvalles! His name is Raresh and he is from Romania. I have to say he was a bit of a slave driver, encouraging me not to stop long or often, but thanks partly to him, I made it all the way and good time and health. We will probably continue on together tomorrow.

The sights along the way were awesome, with very little fog/clouds like they often have. We stopped at Orisson for our real break. I got a decent cappuccino and ended up getting a tortilla to go. The tortilla was more fluffy egg than potato, but very tasty. A bit after Orisson, we found another food truck. Raresh bought a banana, and I noticed a sign on the truck saying 1 more kilometer uphill, 4km level, and 5km downhill. It was a lot more than 1 uphill and the level part was more uphill than level! Oh well, I made it anyways. When we came to a fork in trail, I remembered the lady at the Pilgrims Office telling me about it, and telling me to right, as it was a lot easier. We took the trail marked "easy", and were glad we did, since it not only saved Raresh's trick knee, but we beat most of the other pilgrims we'd noticed around us, that took the harder trail, by 30 minutes.

We got into the long line to check in, paid our 12 euros for a bed and 10 more for a Pilgrims Menu at 7pm. We had to all remove and stow our hiking boots before going up to our room. Our beds were on the 3rd floor (2nd for Spaniards), and quite neat and modern. The only complaint I would make is that there are only 2 outlets for each cubicle of 4 beds. After a quick shower and a walk around the area, which isn't in a town so there was only the church and it's albergue, 2 hostals/restaurants, and a tourist office, we went to eat our much deserved dinner. Oh, and I bought another thimble in the church's souvenir shop.

Having problems with Wi-Fi here too so I will post this text and then try to add photos afterwards.

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Photos

The Spanish Gate
JC at the starting point of the Camino

Up the Pyrenees
One of the great views on my way to Orisson for my first break.

Comments

[Home and Away]

Well done...
Lesson #1: Don't believe any signs showing distance. It's always farther. And when you see your destination in the distance and think you are almost there, you aren't!

[Richard Hardin]

Gorgeous
Beautiful view JC. Looks like you are on quite the adventure.