We Five got a good night's sleep at Hotel Abando in Bilbao and met for continental breakfast at 0830. Coffee, Spanish egg tortilla, hard roll and orange juice for just 3 Euro's. Just right!
At 0930 we departed the hotel in a van large enough for all Five of us and our Camino Bags. We drove from Bilbao Center thru San Sebastian and Biarritz to St Jean Pied de Porte. The drive took us along the Northeast Coast of Spain with many breathtaking mountain views to arrive in the cozy little Hamlet of St Jean Pied de Port at the very foot of the Pyrenees or "foot of the pass".
St Jean Pied is at the nexus of pilgrim routes that Pilgrims have used over the centuries to cross from different parts of Europe into Spain on their way to Santiago. It is also the most commonly used starting point for newly minted Pilgrims beginning their journey. The town is often saturated with pilgrims roaming the streets and cafes, and has an air of excitement mixed with apprehension as many new pilgrims are starting a formidable journey.
We took many pictures on this beautiful sunny day. Here are some of the good shots.
Here we are in a large Bilboa Taxi enroute to St Jean Pied de Porte. Our drive takes us east from Bilboa thru San Sebastian, a Spanish beach town made famous by Earnest Hemingway in the Sun Also Rises, into France at Biarritz, turning south and arriving at the foot of the Pyrenees.
It's a beautiful day. We turn South at Biarritz and head to St Jean Pied.
As we approach St Jean we see the Pyrenees on the horizon and a prominent peak as we enter St Jean Pied.
At 12:30, we arrive at our Hotel Centrale at the entrance of St Jean Pied.
Our driver, Estelle insisted on a selfie. We enjoyed the drive and Estelle.
Here's our Hotel, right on the River Nive.
Judi on the old bridge looking back at our hotel and the famous view of St Jean Pied from the bridge.
Time for Lunch - Lisa, Chris, Jon Lynn and Judi
We had a great lunch at a very crowded Cafe on the River Nive. Cassolet de Moules et Coquets was the big favorite paired nicely with Rose.
Then off to the cathedral at St Jean where Lisa and Judi light candles for friends and family as we prepare to start our journey.
Mike takes a picture of the local Taxi, just in case we need a cab.
we are winding down a beautiful day. Starting to think about tomorrow's hike. Lisa checking out the camino logo (the scallop shell)
We stop at the registrar to get our Camino Passports validated. and the Camino Store (du Pelerin) to scan for any last minute items before tomorrows Journey.
Here is the Camino Marker on the official Camino Path to lead us out of St Jean Pied toward our next town of Val Carlos, some 8 miles away just across the Spanish Border.
Judi and Lisa heading down the Camino path to our hotel for dinner and an early bedtime.
So we close for tonight. Here is one of the Beatitudes of the Pilgrim that we thought about today as we begin to slow down time for our walk on the Camino. 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.
Everyone looks happy in the sun. Let the long walk begin
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