Arriving to Saint Jean Pied de Port (click)

Today I took the train from Madrid to Pamplona that took about 3 hrs or so. On the ride met a gentleman called Joe Carmona who turned out to be getting ready to do his 10th Camino. He will also start Monday from SJPDP with myself and Amy. Joe was born in Spain but moved to Australia when he was 9. Comes to Spain to reconnect with his roots thus why the 10th Camino. He was a typical Aussie and very talkative and made the ride fun and engaging. We exchanged our contact info and hope to see him on the trail. I was fascinated about how much he knows about the history of the region and hiking shoes 😀.

In Pamplona I met Amy as she arrived in Spain this morning. She was super tired from the international flight plus connection but as always full of her grace and charm. So happy to see her even if was only a few days that we were apart.

We took a cab and arrived in SJPDP around 3:30pm or so. Saint Jean is an incredible small French town (population is ~1500) that was founded in the 12th century after Richard the Lionheart leveled the original town close by in 1177. SJPDP is where most pilgrims who want to do the Camino Frances start their journey. It is right next to the Spanish border and on day one you cross the border on the Pyrenees mountains.

Tomorrow, we will have an easy day in the town and do a short hike and get ready for day 1 on Monday. I anticipate some naps for Amy😀.

Already miss my girls. I think that will be the hardest part for the next 5 weeks.