We leave our lodging at Hotel Akereta with a small group of pilgrims. The hotel is a very quaint 375 year old Spanish Hacienda. It was used by the film crew during the filming of the poplar Camino movie The Way with Martin Sheen.
We depart at 0845 after a standard breakfast of Coffee, Croissants, Cheese and Bread.
The Camino follows the Rio Arga all the way to to Pamplona.
The Camino also parallels the Roadway N-135 into Pamplona for part of the day.
Judi and Jon Lynn pose along the roadway.
We stop for some fruit and bars midday.
We take a detour to see the Church of St Stephen at Zabaldika, an 11th century church that has supported many pilgrims over the centuries. The Church has a beautiful altar piece, a statue of St James that dates back hundreds of years and a bell dating to the 12 century.
Here we are on the front portico of the church. It was here that we were given the copy of the Beatitudes of the Pilgrim.
The Church is meticulously run by volunteers from the Federation of Friends and the Society of the Sacred Heart. Here is a tribute to those volunteers that support the Camino and give their time freely to those who walk.
Lots of Scotch Broom adds color along this stretch of the Camino
Here is Dan, the local vendor from the Movie the Way. We stop for a bite of tortilla, cooked by Dan this morning. Best tortilla yet.
Chris chats it up with Dan
We now approaching Pamplona in the far distance.
Chris and Mike overlooking mustard fields.
The Puente de Arre is the first bridge into Pamplona.
We opt to follow the Rio Arga as it enters into the city
We come to Puente de Magdelena, the famous Pilgrim bridge into Pamplona
The pilgrims monument marks the path uphill to the Portal de Francia (the French entrance)
A quick picture at the Portal De Francia
We find our hotel immediately to the right as we enter the City. It is 4:00 pm. We change quickly and head to a local Tapas Bar for the evening. Tomorrow we have a day off to explore the city of Pamplona. It is a great university city of 200,000 and also home to the Festival of San Fermin and the famous running of the bulls. For now we close with the Pilgrims Prayer which we photographed at the Church of St Stephens earlier to day and a copy of the Beatitudes of the Pilgrims, given to us by one of the Sisters in the Church.
The Beatitudes of the Pilgrim
(A gift from the Church of St Stephen in the village of Zabaldika, 10 km from Pamplona)
1. Blessed are you Pilgrim, if you discover that the Camino opens your eyes to what is not seen.
3. Blessed are you Pilgrim, when you contemplate the Camino and you discover it is full of names and dawns.
4. Blessed are you Pilgrim, because you have discovered that the authentic Camino begins when it is completed.
5. Blessed are you Pilgrim, if your knapsack is emptying of things and your heart does not know where to hang up so many feelings and emotions.
6. Blessed are you Pilgrim, if you discover that one step back to help another is more valuable than a hundred forward without seeing who or what is by your side.
7. Blessed are you Pilgrim, when you don't have words to give thanks for everything that surprises you at every twist and turn along the way.
8. Blessed are you Pilgrim, if you search for the truth and make of the Camino a life of your life.
9. Blessed are you Pilgrim, if on the Way you meet yourself and gift yourself with time, without rushing, so as not to disregard the image in your heart.
10. Blessed are you Pilgrim, if you discover that the Camino holds a lot of silence, and the silence of prayer, and the prayer of meeting with God who is waiting for you.
More tomorrow. For now, Buen Camino!
Nice travelogue
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