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.)

PAM

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.

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!

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!

 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.

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".
     

Our adventure begins soon!  Stay tuned.