It has taken me the better part of 2 days to be able to talk about Day One as the trek (and I must call it a trek) from St. Jean to Roncesvalles as it was harder than I could have prepared for...as I am not certain anyone truly could. It is incredibly lush, much like a rainforest (think Ho forest in Seattle) with horses the size of Clydesdale, beautiful cows the color of buckskin and sheep with white bodies and black legs, many sport large bells and the ringing (well more like clanking) is abundant. The accent was one which never seemed to end; as we crested one hll another awaited, this to be repeatedly continously for hours...the common agreement amongst the pilgrims was not to say, ¨this is the top.¨ The top did come, but what goes up must come down, and the descent sent more than one pilgrim toppling as it was extremely steep. I spent my day hiking with Antonino from Italy, who as we descended through the forest of white birch trees, was determined to find a walking stick having arrived sans any walking support. He picked up 2 of which he discarded for reasons of weight, shape, etc. As anyone with a ´bum´knee knows the pain in the knee is worsened by either going up or down...mine is of the going down variety. Therefor, as I hobbled down the trail at a snails pace, I got to see first hand the recycling of the walking sticks picked from the forest. Antonino discarded his first, only to see another hiker pass us with the same stick in hand, watching them toss it aside (perhaps Antonino was on to something...)and yet another show up later with the same stick.
The day took 7.5 hours to go 29KM or essentially just under 18 miles...at the end of the trail was the Abergue run by the Muncipality. I was put into a bunk with 3 other people, 1 gal from Peru who hiked with a rollerbag with straps and dock martins...I can´t make this stuff up! And a couple from Poland, Gus told me my bag was too heavy and proceeded to find items he thought I could live without...LOL
We attended a Pilgrim´s Blessing; where everyone I had met on the train coming from Bayonne was also in attendance. They did the blessing in French and Spanish; calling out each country the pilgrims in attendance represented...I was moved by how many were there from literally all over the world, trying to accomplish a single goal!
All in all the day was truly one of the hardest things I have ever completed, I kept saying to myself...many, many, many have gone before you...you too can do this! Also the 79 year old I met from France who did it over 3 days was a inspiritation...if she could do it, then I must muster the moxie to at least try!
It has taken me the better part of 2 days to be able to talk about Day One as the trek (and I must call it a trek) from St. Jean to Roncesvalles as it was harder than I could have prepared for...as I am not certain anyone truly could. It is incredibly lush, much like a rainforest (think Ho forest in Seattle) with horses the size of Clydesdale, beautiful cows the color of buckskin and sheep with white bodies and black legs, many sport large bells and the ringing (well more like clanking) is abundant. The accent was one which never seemed to end; as we crested one hll another awaited, this to be repeatedly continously for hours...the common agreement amongst the pilgrims was not to say, ¨this is the top.¨ The top did come, but what goes up must come down, and the descent sent more than one pilgrim toppling as it was extremely steep. I spent my day hiking with Antonino from Italy, who as we descended through the forest of white birch trees, was determined to find a walking stick having arrived sans any walking support. He picked up 2 of which he discarded for reasons of weight, shape, etc. As anyone with a ´bum´knee knows the pain in the knee is worsened by either going up or down...mine is of the going down variety. Therefor, as I hobbled down the trail at a snails pace, I got to see first hand the recycling of the walking sticks picked from the forest. Antonino discarded his first, only to see another hiker pass us with the same stick in hand, watching them toss it aside (perhaps Antonino was on to something...)and yet another show up later with the same stick.
The day took 7.5 hours to go 29KM or essentially just under 18 miles...at the end of the trail was the Abergue run by the Muncipality. I was put into a bunk with 3 other people, 1 gal from Peru who hiked with a rollerbag with straps and dock martins...I can´t make this stuff up! And a couple from Poland, Gus told me my bag was too heavy and proceeded to find items he thought I could live without...LOL
We attended a Pilgrim´s Blessing; where everyone I had met on the train coming from Bayonne was also in attendance. They did the blessing in French and Spanish; calling out each country the pilgrims in attendance represented...I was moved by how many were there from literally all over the world, trying to accomplish a single goal!
All in all the day was truly one of the hardest things I have ever completed, I kept saying to myself...many, many, many have gone before you...you too can do this! Also the 79 year old I met from France who did it over 3 days was a inspiritation...if she could do it, then I must muster the moxie to at least try!
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