First, thank you for all your birthday wishes. The Camino has caught up to us, so we thought we would catch up to it by taking a rest day. I have come down with a cold and Tammy has some good ole blisters, and as God would have it there is a Marriott a little over a mile off the trail. We have built in a few days with the anticipation of needing a day like this.

It gives me the time to refect on just how fortunate I am for my family, my friends and my faith, each giving me the support and strength to live my life’s journey.

I also have been thinking of those that have recently died and prayed many times on the trail for them and to them.

My Aunt Pat was a vivacious women with a strong love of family, especially her sister, my Mom. When the two would be together the giggling and the laughter was contagious. I will never forget our time together at the shore or visits to Chicago.

Marie Tumalo was the daughter of my fathers best friend from college. Our two families grew up together as kids spending time together at their place in Sea Isle City.   Before she died, she hosted her own birthday party. I have sent many prayers of thanks to her for having that get together and feel selfish doing so. Yes, it was sad to say goodbye, but it gave me a chance to say hello again to others in her family that I know will be in my life forever. Hmmm, maybe she had that in mind all along?

And to Cal, may you continue to climb the highest peaks and bless us all from above.

Tomorrow, we head to Puente La Reina, a 12 mile walk. With a good nights rest and a renewed spirit we will once again be on the trail with the other pilgrims.

God bless you all and a very Happy day to you too. 

Larrasoana to Cizur, Tuesday, October 4

We are looking forward to a shorter 14 mile walk. The weather has been fantastic and today will be the same. I thought I would share with you a typical day.  

We try and rise about 630 to 7. It typically is not a problem since the other pilgrims are doing the same. And, since you are sleeping in a room with 15 – 25 other people once one person starts to move around everyone begins to follow.  We get on the road by 730 and would like to start earlier but it does not get light out until after 8, the first part is in the dark. 

In 2-3 miles you begin to pray for a little town to come your way. Today we came around the corner and were geated by a little oasis. 

Sitting there are familiar faces of folkes you had dinner with the night before or others you have been walking with for days. A typical breakfast would be tortilla and cafe con leche   

You are then back on the trail and sometimes come across some wonderful and amazing sites. Our path today led us straight past a church that was open to view and pray.

There was these two lovely women inside passing out information on the church and inviting you to post a prayer. 

They also passed out prayers to pilgrims. 

Sometimes you come across a place where someone died and it reminds you of those that have traveled this path before you. 

You start out with a full bottle of water and can fill up along the way with water stops that have been provided for pilgrims for centuries. 

The trail took us through Pamplona. This is pic of the Portal de Zumalacarregi, also called Portal de Francia. It was built in 1563 and it was where all pilgrims from  neighboring  France entered and welcomed. 

After a nice lunch and rest, we headed passed the town hall and out of town. 

We then headed to our destination, Cizur Menor and found Albergue Maribel Roncal. 

A little about where you stay. There are Albergues along the trail every 5-6 km. Some are private and some are run by the municipal. The municipal is less expensive are first come first serve and cost around 10 eruo. You get a bed, typically a bunk, and a pillow. 

There is always an outdoor sink for washing clothes and lines for drying. The private ones are a bit more and you can make a reservation. Since we are off season we have luck with the municipals. 

The first thing you do-take a shower and get your bed ready. There is always a restaurant nearby that will serve pilgrim meals starting at 7.   After dinner folkes read, journal and chat using whatever language you can to have a conversation. Lights go out at 10 though most pilgrims are in bed way before then dreaming of the day ahead. 

Roncesvalles-Larrasoana, Monday October 2

It was another long day, logging in over 17 miles, that’s about 55,000 steps for you Fitbit folks. It was a trail that took us through some beautiful towns where the only place open is a cafe for pilgrims to stop and grab some tortilla and cafe con leche. 

The towns appear and disappear every few miles, each with a church that still rings a bell at the top of the hour. 

In between towns the trail went through lovely woods, over hill and dale-a lot of over hill! We are anticipating our visit to Pomplomatomorrow and took advantage of a friend we met on the trail. Literally on the trail. Instead of running with the bulls we decided to walk with the cows. 

We finally came to larrasoa and room at the municipal  albergue. 

St Jean to Roncevaux

Let me see how to tell you about the climb today with out swearing or adult crying. There was both. All from me of course. How about if I can actually get you to experience it. Ok, go to the gym and get on a treadmill. Crank to the highest setting, sling 25 lbs on your back and start to walk for, oh let’s start out slow–3 hours. Any adult tears yet? No, how about 7 hours. Here is a visual:

And here are better ones:

It was a cloudy and rainy at the top

But like anything in life, the clouds pass, the sun come out and you realize that you had to go through all that pain to get to where you are. 

We were rewarded with an amazing hostel. If any one has seen the movie “The Way”. This is where there are 140 beds in one room. Same room used in medieval times. 

There was a lovely mass at 6 – yes in Spanish- followed by all of us pilgrims sitting at large tables eating a meal together. Tonight, we dined with people from Japan, France, and Canada. 

Lights out at 1o and for me, no more tears, just pure exhaustion and gratitude. 

I am a bit late on blogging. It has been a bit different this time- navigating the distances and where to stay, but our first night was planned ahead of time and a great send off. 
We left Rochester on Friday to Paris, and after a 4 hour lay over flew to  Bairtz. A 4o minute car ride later we were in St. Jean de Pied Port. It is a 16th century walled city at is the foothills of the Pyrenees. It was the defensive foot-hold with wars against Spain. 

Today, it has a population of 1800 that serve tourists, hill walkers, and pilgrims. It has become the principle gateway to the Camino and the tradition starting point for pilgrims all over world. 

We got our Credential del Peregrino and welcomed advice – in mostly part English part french- on directions out of town, water stops, and a limitless speech on how steep the climb is and to take it very slow. I was asked by the elderly women that was helping me if I understood anything she said. I reached back to 8th grad french class and shyly admitted “un peu, madam, merci beaucoup.” I received a warm smile and my first “Beun Camino”. My first gift of the journey.