Today will be a short walk from Pamplona to Cizur Menor.
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| That mountain in the distance, that's where we are heading. |
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| Just a view! |
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| Jim takes a moment. |
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| The other side of the mountain. |
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| Looking back at Cizur Menor |
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| The Eye of the Needle |
Jim and Pam
American Pilgrims
Monday, July 14, 2014
Day 3, Pamplona to Cizur Menor. Day 4, Cizur Menor to Puente La Reina
Today will be a short walk from Pamplona to Cizur Menor.
Day 1, Roncesvalles to Zibiri
PAM
Beautiful day to start our walk. Blue skys white fluffy clouds! It's a little "crisp" but we hardly noticed.
The goal is to get to Zubiri, approximately 15 miles. The map shows the terrain.
Day 2, Zubiri to Pamplona
Pam Zubiri to Pamplona should be, according to the map, about 13 miles. Really! It seems a lot longer, especially after yesterday. The map shows 15.5k to Pamplona but we had to add 5.5k from yesterdays map.
Some markers give the next town, others just point the direction.
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| Lets move!
One on many bridges we will cross.
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| Ring the bell! |
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| Sometimes the climb never end. |
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| A view from the bridge, looking into Cruce |
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Finally here...Ready to walk
JIM
Two buses, one cab, and 90 transport euros from Madrid and we're here in Roncesvalles. A small village - population 10 - on the Western Slope of the Pyrenees.
We're sleeping in bunks surrounded by a hundred or so other pilgrims. (Good news: over 50 always get bottom bunks.)
We aren't allowed to wear our boots in the Albergue, too dirty, so we must take them off and leave them. Sometimes they "disappear" either by accident or someone might like yours better than theirs. So I tied ours together, less likely to go missing.
JIM
Some, like us are just starting their Journeys. The others - the really tired ones - got here by walking over the mountain.
We'll have our first pilgrim meal and then will try to get a good night's sleep. We've had almost no sleep since leaving home Monday and we're both feeling jet lag big time.
PAM
Our first pilgrim meal! Served family style and to our surprise a bottle of wine for each table.
JIM
Hoping tomorrow's walk through beautiful mountains will get our body clocks on track. Will post lots of photos.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
And the adventure begins
PAM
Or should I say the 'miss adventures' begin.
If your take off is delayed more than likely you miss your connection, check.
If you're lucky you will be given bright orange card that let's you rush past others. Note you still have to run. And yes, you still miss your flight, check.
Our first cab ride, let's just say it was a lesson, check.
Hotel, we have no electricity! What's up? Must be a European thing. Slide your key card into the slot inside the door and wow we have lights!
We need to travel more!
Or should I say the 'miss adventures' begin.
If your take off is delayed more than likely you miss your connection, check.
If you're lucky you will be given bright orange card that let's you rush past others. Note you still have to run. And yes, you still miss your flight, check.
Our first cab ride, let's just say it was a lesson, check.
Hotel, we have no electricity! What's up? Must be a European thing. Slide your key card into the slot inside the door and wow we have lights!
We need to travel more!
Monday, May 12, 2014
LAX take off!
PAM
Heading out! It's time. My little 10 pound backpack gained weight over night. This morning it's a hefty 12.5. What's up with that!
Heading out! It's time. My little 10 pound backpack gained weight over night. This morning it's a hefty 12.5. What's up with that!
Thursday, May 8, 2014
PAM
We are not doing the mountain! We figured, why chance it. It will be there next time. Should I add a tehe here?
Helen Belletti, from American Pilgrims Facebook, suggested we start at Roncesvalles, so that’s it! It's on the down side of the mountain, which can some times be worse than the up side. Not sure what time of day we will be getting in so no start date. We will miss the Auberage Orisson that people talk about. So, that is kind of sad. It's located on the map on the "up side".
An Auberage, for those unfamiliar with the word, is where we will be spending the nights, a hostel.
There are different categories and I'm looking forward to seeing all types. I've heard of large rooms with 100 beds in a row. And lots of snoring.
One thing I’ve learned about this walk is the carrying of a stone:
“Pilgrims from all over carry a stone with them as they start out and when they get to the iron cross (crucifix) at La Cruz de Ferro, they say their prayer and leave their stone on the hill of rocks. It is believed that we carry the stone with us and all our losses, sins, pain, sorrows, weaknesses, insecurities, unanswered prayers, etc., are symbolically embedded within it during the walk. By leaving it behind in La Cruz de Ferro, we shed those things we no longer need to "carry" through life.”
I like the sound of this. Jim and I went to Del Mar and picked up our stones.
I know, they aren't big. Gotta keep things light. My backpack only weighs 10 pounds.
We are not doing the mountain! We figured, why chance it. It will be there next time. Should I add a tehe here?
Helen Belletti, from American Pilgrims Facebook, suggested we start at Roncesvalles, so that’s it! It's on the down side of the mountain, which can some times be worse than the up side. Not sure what time of day we will be getting in so no start date. We will miss the Auberage Orisson that people talk about. So, that is kind of sad. It's located on the map on the "up side".
An Auberage, for those unfamiliar with the word, is where we will be spending the nights, a hostel.
There are different categories and I'm looking forward to seeing all types. I've heard of large rooms with 100 beds in a row. And lots of snoring.
One thing I’ve learned about this walk is the carrying of a stone:
“Pilgrims from all over carry a stone with them as they start out and when they get to the iron cross (crucifix) at La Cruz de Ferro, they say their prayer and leave their stone on the hill of rocks. It is believed that we carry the stone with us and all our losses, sins, pain, sorrows, weaknesses, insecurities, unanswered prayers, etc., are symbolically embedded within it during the walk. By leaving it behind in La Cruz de Ferro, we shed those things we no longer need to "carry" through life.”
I like the sound of this. Jim and I went to Del Mar and picked up our stones.
I know, they aren't big. Gotta keep things light. My backpack only weighs 10 pounds.
Apprehension and open minds
JIM
We arrive in Madrid Tuesday night. From there we work our way (by bus) to Roncesvalles. On Thursday or Friday - depending upon local travel connections - we should take our first steps on the El Camino pilgrimage. Our destination is some 480 miles away - Santiago de Campostela.
Lots of apprehension here about the ability to walk those miles over 30 some days. But, we figure by just showing up there is, at least, a fighting chance. Our attitude is to travel light and stay open to whatever it is the trail provides. We'll take it slow and be happy little pilgrims.
Whatever distance we make we'll take it and we'll call it a success.
Like the man said (was it Yogi Berra?): "Nothing happens until something happens".
We arrive in Madrid Tuesday night. From there we work our way (by bus) to Roncesvalles. On Thursday or Friday - depending upon local travel connections - we should take our first steps on the El Camino pilgrimage. Our destination is some 480 miles away - Santiago de Campostela.
Lots of apprehension here about the ability to walk those miles over 30 some days. But, we figure by just showing up there is, at least, a fighting chance. Our attitude is to travel light and stay open to whatever it is the trail provides. We'll take it slow and be happy little pilgrims.
Whatever distance we make we'll take it and we'll call it a success.
Like the man said (was it Yogi Berra?): "Nothing happens until something happens".
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
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