March 31, 2013, Day 1 – St. Jean Pied de Port – Roncesvalles.

People say the first day is the hardest and I hope they are right.  Today is the day The Christ ascended and so did I…all day long!  There was asphalt, gravel, rocks, icy rivers, mud (lots of mud) and snow…all going up hill continuously through the Pyrenees.  25 plus kilometers ( maybe 19 miles).

I walked with three fabulous women from Canada and we encouraged each other onward.  I was going to call it a shorter day but the only possible town to stay in had no rooms.  Welcome to the camino.  It worked out well because knowing what I know…I don´t want to do the walk we did today tomorrow!

We ended up in the Spanish town Roncesvalles.  I had heard there was a Refuge (that´s where Pilgrims sleep) that had 180 beds and I was a bit nervous that it would be a noisy circus BUT it is wonderful.  The beds are clean and set up in quads.  The showers were HOT and the bathrooms clean.  For 3 euros the volunteers washed dried and folded my clothes. We had pasta for an appetizer and trout with french fries for the main meal and vino…plenty of vino!

One of the ladies I was walking with has a daughter who is dating a Basque man.  His mother who has a country house near by surprised us and came to visit.  She ended up bringing us to her house to meet her family and drink some local after dinner drink made from anise and cherries.

It ended up being a wonderful day.  The Camino provides!

Bien Camino!

Alie