Our 2019 Camino Starts!

Dandy and I departed Tues 7/16 for Madrid.   Lots of memories as we cross the Atlantic and as always a mixture of excitement and anxiety.   We both have tasted the highs and lows of prior pilgrimages and trust our first time doing it together will be a blessing.  Our daughter Julia and her dear friend Theresa will meet is Thursday in Pamplona and we will head together to Saint Jean Pied de Port (SJPP).   Our son in law Doug will join us 10 days in for a few days of walking as well...with a planned ending in Burgos - some 200 miles from SJPP.   

Our flight was smooth and we took the train to Pamplona.   Such a lovely city - full of energy.   The running of the bulls occurred 7/7-7/14 so the crazy parties are only a few days behind it - but tourists and pilgrims continue to taste of its wonderful pintxos and explore its history.   We enjoy wine at Cafe Iruna in Plaza de Castillo - a favorite Hemingway haunt (he had many around this area) and hit all the bars on San Nicolas to taste pintxos and Spanish beers.  Always amazed the number of locals that support these small businesses every day of the week.  

Julia & Theresa’s flight gets delayed in NY so they arrive much later then planned.  But we have time to do a short walk and grab another round of food and drink.  Julia just had minor foot surgery - so she is in a boot!  It comes off Friday morning when we start.   Should be interesting.   Our first day is a short walk up the Pyrenees - really beautiful.   But the cool breezes we are enjoying in Pamplona are about to turn to a heat waive!  Temps projected to reach 103 degrees the next few days!  Oh well - the Camino will provide.