St Jean Pied de Port, Basque Pays France

I start out from here tomorrow morning, but have not decided which route yet: Valcarlos or Napoleon. I’m sending my pack ahead for this segment so I can enjoy it rather than suffer this time. Been there, done that.

Though it took me as long to take the milk train from Connecticut to JFK airport as it did to then fly across the Atlantic to Paris (6 hours to JFK😮), I had a smooth trip. From my door step to St. Jean: about 18 hours. No hurry!

Lots of nervous pilgrims here, girding themselves for the first leg, straight up to the Leopeder Pass about 4700 ft.! If you make it up there, you know you can make the whole 500 miles. The most difficult part first—trial by fire—until you get your Camino legs about a week in. I got my baston (walking staff) at the pilgrim shop and am ready to roll.Read more