The beginning

What a 24 hours! I arrived in the beautiful village of St. Jean Pied de Port, France yesterday afternoon. The mountains we drove through to get to the village were stunning. I kept smiling to myself the whole way, realizing I was going to be hiking right through those same Pyrenees mountains for the next few days.

I ate lunch at a little cafe with a view of town. Then checked into my hostel. I met Hannah from England right away. She is about my daughters age and very sweet. We went to the pilgrim’s office together to get our pilgrim passport. You can get it stamped in every town and have to have so many stamps to get a certificate of completion at the end. Hannah and I wandered around town, up to the citadel from the 17th century. It provided a great view of town and the mountains.

We got to visit an ancient church in town. Beautiful. Prayed over my Camino prayer list. After Hannah went back to the hostel I found a bakery, bought a croissant (when in France) and sat down by the river to eat and enjoy the sound of water and birds. It was so peaceful. I kept thinking how grateful I am to all the people who encouraged and supported me to get here.

We had dinner with our host Kristine and another pilgrim, Les from England. Joey, our cook, who studied at a French Bakery provided superb food! I can’t tell

You what any of it was called but it was a vegetable soup, chicken and rice with gravy and vegetables, and Basque (the region of France we were in), cake or chocolate tart for dessert. I tried both of course! It sounds simple

But the flavors were all very different from what I’m used to. I k ow bay leaf and garlic were prominent in the soup and some sort of curry in the chicken. Delicious!

We had wonderful conversation Over dinner then I took a walk while the sun was setting. More beauty. I kept telling Hannah we have mountains like this in the US, like Colorado, but the age of the buildings gives it so much more charm. And they have all been built or designed in the same style.

After a good nights sleep, I was the last one up (no surprise), but I knew I had a short day today. Only 6 miles. As I came down stairs I found Hannah who had left 30 min before me. She was distraught because her hiking shoes were missing! Many places ask you to leave hiking shoes at the door and all of ours were together. A man’s pair looking similar to hers were left behind. Someone got them mixed up. Sweet Joey spent time calling all who had stayed in the hostel last night and after an hour we finally found them. Unfortunately they were on their way to another town in France with someone who was finished hiking. They are having them transferred back to town and again, Joey, will bring them

up to us by car this evening. Luckily Hannah had running shoes she could wear today.

So we were off! It was absolutely the most beautiful hike I had ever been on. I keep wanting to sing, “The hills are alive to the sound of music…” because of the beautiful green rolling hills, but I haven’t, in order to spare those around me. 😉

Now it was a gorgeous hike, but it was literally Up hill the entire time. No switch backs, 630 meters assent. What is that in feet? I don’t know. But when I look back at the town, it’s a steep climb. And my legs are saying the same!

But gloriously, we arrived in Orrison in less than 3 hours. And this is another amazingly beautiful Spot. It was a hard climb and I stopped often along the way. But each time I just enjoyed the beauty while I rested. Young Hannah was gracious to walk with me, as she could have done it much quicker!

Now we wash clothes, shower, rest, visit, and wait for pilgrims dinner. Tomorrow is a longer day and more uphill. Buen Camino