I´m still alive

Short blog. Made it to Zubiri today. If anyone says that only sissies go to Roncesvalles via Valcarlos, I´ll beat them with my now well-used & trusted walking stick within an inch of their lives. It rained almost the entire way yesterday & with all the rain they´ve had here, the way off road was very muddy, mucky, & dangerous. And cold. The other way wasn´t so good either because folks who walked over the mountain said it snowed AND hailed on them, as well as thunder & lightning. Today was a slip & slide down hills, almost bought it too if it weren´t for my stick. Stayed to the road after that & after about 2 hours on the flat top, a local took pity on me & brought me to Zubiri. I was about 2 km short when he picked me up. God bless him & all his family. Answer to my prayers & he wouldn´t take a dime from me either.

I just got word that my friend Patsy (who deserted us for El Paso) PASSED THE BAR!! Everyone please send her congratulations!! Patsy, there´s an opening in Laredo, btw. (hint hint)

I'm here already!!

Well, at least in Europe. I got to Paris early this morning, with only about 2 hours' of solid dozing time on the plane (brand new AVOD--over 290 movies to watch,in COACH no less, how could I pass up the opportunity?). Took a short nap, then went to find the Tour St. Jacques as suggested by Sil. Only to find that said Tour is covered in scaffolding & very un-medieval plastic for renovations. :(

And I have a blister on my foot. I haven't even started the Camino yet!

Observation coming from the airport, upon seeing red poppies by the wayside: "In Flanders fields, where poppies grow, and there the crosses row by row now mark our dead." (google is your friend) Happy "Mission Accomplished" Day, folks. /sarcasm off. God save our troops, because as He knows, no one else will.

I'm on my way!

My bag is packed & ready to go. The cats aren't happy (they know the signs which lead to my departure). I still need to get something to eat, since my ride is coming for me in an hour. Getting dressed might be a good thing too, huh?

I probably will check in once I get to Paris, but I don't think after that I'll have internet access until I get to Pamplona next Monday. Behave yourselves!

Special shout out to Patsy: GOOD LUCK PATSY!!! WE'RE ROOTING FOR YOU HERE IN LAREDO!!

Last minute jitters!

This time next week, I will be winging my way towards Paris, France! I have been packing & re-packing my backpack, trying to make it work. It's still coming in at 17 lbs , even though I've tossed out a few things I wanted to bring (mostly things I can purchase in France or Spain, but really, I'd rather save the $ & take & use what I already have).

I finally got frustrated with the two "pockets" that attach to the front straps. Even empty, they make me feel as though I'm being strangled & are really heavy. I decided last night to toss them, but what to use instead? I decided to get a waistpack, which while smaller, will still hold the things I need to keep on hand (like my pilgrim's passport & munchies) AND is much lighter. I also got a cheapo rain poncho which is incredibly much lighter than the one I got earlier. At some point, I will stop spending $$ on this trip. I'll put it all together tonight to see how much my pack comes in at with these subtractions & additions.

Why I can't pack

Heeding the advice of veteran peregrinos, I have been packing & re-packing my back pack, taking things out so that it will be as light as possible. Can I really get by for 2 weeks with only 3 changes of clothes?

As you can tell, Rikki (calico) & Misty are "helping" me by sleeping on my stuff. I have less than 2 weeks to go before my trip. Will they finally wake up & go do something else so I can finish packing?

More thoughts on the first leg

Today,, one of the members of the Santiago Today forum reappeared. He had started his Camino about the time that the British pilgrim got lost & died. According to Santos, he spent 18 hours on the trail, getting to Roncesvalles at midnight! He related that it got cold very quickly, going from rain to blizzard conditions, when there was already a 3-foot accumulation on the ground. The kicker? He took the Valcarlos Route! He barely made it to Roncesvalles & was sent back by taxi to SJPdP the next morning. He could not continue because he had some problems due to the exposure to the cold, but he is at least safe & sound at home now. He had listened to the locals & took the recommended route, as well.

Now I'm budgeting in the cost of a taxi to Roncesvalles. If the weather is still that shaky in 2 weeks, I'll take a cab.

Another change in plans

This week, those of us in the Camino world received the tragic news that a pilgrim from Great Britain died as a result of exposure along the Route Napoleon. He had gotten lost during a snow storm, and while the rescuers found him alive, he later died at the hospital.

It's early April & it's still snowing in the mountains?!? I wonder why this guy was up there; we are told repeatedly to listen to the locals in SJPdP & if they tell you not to take the Route Napoleon--DON'T TAKE IT! Perhaps the weather changed so quickly that even the locals didn't realize?

I've already placed most of my stuff in my pack & wandered around the nearby elementary school with it the past few days (to the looks of amusement & disbelief of other walkers & joggers). Even if I walk 6 miles with the pack every day from now until May 1, I don't think I could handle carrying my "Seattle gear." As a result, I wouldn't have the proper gear to handle such a change in weather. Because of this, I am seriously considering taking the more historical route through the valley via Arneguy & Valcarlos, instead of up & over the Pyrennees as I had originally planned.

I can still take 2 days to get to Roncesvalles, by stopping at Valcarlos, and wouldn't have to climb or descend as high as I would have via the Route Napoleon. The Camino runs along the highway between SJPdP, so it's not as remote.

While I'd miss all the view, as well as staying at the albergue in Orisson, I think it best to play it safe on this first stage. I can always go back & walk the Route Napoleon when the weather is more stable.