On The Way

(Posted Monday)

After the trials (and there were many) of the last few days we are finally on The Way. Gracie is much, much better and we spent Saturday traveling by train and bus to St. Jean Pied du Port ("foot of the pass") in France via Pamplona. St. Jean was an utterly charming medieval town. We arrived late but had time for some crepes and wine in a little cafe along the river before turning in at our hostel.

St. Jean Pied du Port

 

For today's first trek, we chose to hike only five miles (at this rate we won't get to Santiago until Christmas), but it was very difficult and absolutely breathtaking. We are at a small hostel with an incredible view of the Pyrennees. Enjoyed a communal meal with our fellow pilgrims-since we are in the Basque region of southwest France and northern Spain it was a traditional Basque meal. 

We're off!

View from our hostel in the Pyrenees

Dinner with our new friends from around the world. Sitting around us were fellow pilgrims from Denmark, Germany, Scotland and more.